Indian's New Bobber Beats Harley's Ducati Dreams

Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) may still be toying with the idea of buying Italian sports bike maker Ducati, but Polaris Industries (NYSE: PII) is showing a better way to grab the attention of young motorcycle riders. Its new Scout Bobber is an aggressively designed urban bike that continues the move away from many of the classic Indian Motorcycle styling points, one that should allow it to continue taking market share from Harley.

When Polaris resurrected Indian out of bankruptcy in 2011, the first bikes were all about the vintage look of the motorcycle company's heritage. The Chieftain, Chief Classic, and Chief Vintage were big bikes, as were many of those that followed -- touring motorcycles with saddlebags and comforts meant for long periods astride these steel horses. That's not what a bobber is about.

Image source: Indian Motorcycle.

Source: Fool.com