Was it their record for dependability?
Was it their style?
Was it because it was "made in America?
Was it their record for cutting edge technology?
Whatever "it" was, "it" is back!

After years of false starts, scams, spoofs, rumors and every imaginable story, there really is an Indian Motorycle Company - it is alive and well and living in Gilroy, CA. It's children (dealers) are appearing all over the country. Recently our reporter, Ron, had the privilege of spending some time at Houston's first Indian dealership.

Apache's Indian Motorcycles of Houston

When most people hear the word Indian they think of John Wayne movies and Fort Cheyenne.

When bikers hear the word Indian we think of the legendary motorcycle company that has managed to come back and survive in a big way in spite of many obstacles. I got the privilege of sitting down to chat with another legend, a man named Apache, who just happens to have ownership in, and operate, the first Indian Motorcycle dealership in Houston.

Apache's Indian Motorcycles of Houston to be exact.

Apache prides himself on being an old biker...a guy who loves motorcycles and the people who ride them...a man that will shoot straight with you about your bike and about being a biker. And from what I saw when I watched him work with his customers that day, he is all of that. At 7:30pm, a time when most bike shop owners are long closed and gone home, Apache was explaining to a new biker how to keep his gas tank paint from bubbling up without spending any money. No profit, just good old-fashioned advice.

Will this guy come back to Apache for service? You bet he will!

Earlier that day I watched him show a customer who had just bought a bike somewhere else how to properly buy custom wheels for his bike. What all this says to me is if you want a real bike shop that will spend the time to show you how to really take care of your bike and not just take your money to do it for you, this is the shop for you!

For those bikers who love to shop, they carry an impressive line of leather goods, more jewelry than I've ever seen in a motorcycle shop and some of the most beautiful Indian Motorcycle jackets and collector items anywhere. The dealership also has a very unique line of custom painted helmets, wheels, trailers and accessories.

I got the chance to ride two different Indian motorcycles (being a reporter can be tough work, but someone has to do it) and I was very impressed. I thought they would ride just like a Harley but I found them far different.

First off, both bikes were beautiful! They seemed much bigger than a Harley and the riding stance was definitely wider. I loved the unique speedometer facing and the wide handlebars. They rode smooth as silk and were quite fast. If you love Harleys, you really owe it to yourself to test ride an Indian. I bet you'll be as impressed as I was.

I really enjoyed spending time with Apache. I got to see many of his show winning custom bikes, learned a lot about motorcycle history and care plus I got to know a man who truly cares about his customers, a real rarity these days!

The Indian Chief uses the S&S Super Stock 88 Cu-Inch, 45-degree V-Twin 4 cycle engine.  The bikes, assembled in Gilroy, CA,  have kept the classic looks of the earlier bikes but with belt drives, 5-gallon tanks and 5-speed, constant mesh transmissions.  The new bikes carries a basic MSRP in the mid-twenties.

Many of the models we saw on display had been further customized with chrome accessories, saddle bags and some very fine paint schemes.  These were the kinds of bikes that once you bought them, you were going to be hard-pressed to find ways to add more chrome or accessories - if you want to buy a bike destined to be a show-stopper some of these models would certainly fill that bill.

While you're there, check out the Quantum motorcycle. They are great looking bikes with four valve heads that Apache says will really scream.

This shop sells bikes and accessories but prides itself on service before, during and after the sale.

Stop in, meet Apache and get to know a new dealership with old-fashioned values. Apache promised me a longer ride on the Indian so I'll be back! If you can't make it by beforehand, visit their booth at the Lone Star Rally. They will be the exclusive Indian dealer there.

Tell him I promised you a test ride!

The dealership is located 5829 West Sam Houston Parkway, N. Phone 713-466-9388. (about a half mile south of West Little York, on the West side of the toll road. From I-10, take the W. Little York exit and U-turn onto the southbound service road.)

Who knows, with their ability to coordinate financing and insurance you might just leave on a new Indian.