Those mad Internet sleuths over at Motorcycle.com have dug up an interesting tidbit from a trademark application, hinting Indian is working on a new model called the Raven.
The application was filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office; in theory, we’ll see a similar filing soon in North America. The application was only for the name of the bike, with none of those line drawings that would tip real information about the bike’s styling and intent.
Of course, the rumour mill is churning with gossip over the possibility of a new sportbike. Is that realistic? All we’ll say for sure is, if this bike comes to market, expect a whole pile of Edgar Allen Poe-related puns when it’s unveiled. And, since this bike doesn’t have any First Nations-related name, and doesn’t carry the name of a classic Indian model, maybe we’ll see something unlike anything Indian has done before?
Probably…more black paint…..oh how original. Oooo it’ll be so dangerous. v-twin, parallel twin, 1,2, 3, 4, 6 cylinders they’ve been done. Oh my god maybe it’ll 5! Wheeeeeeee.
Ravens are a very important symbol in many First Nations mythologies, religions and world creation myths. I suggest that the “Raven” name is certainly “First Nations related”.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/raven-symbolism
It’s probably just an FTR1200 painted all black.
I am a little surprised in this age of pollical correctness and cultural appropriation that there hasn’t been a push to have the Indian name and all associated models forever stricken from the motorcycle market and history in general. Fingers crossed and hoping I did not just jinx the situation.
First of all, Raven has a connection to the cultural heritage of North American Indians. Secondly, it could also be a European take on the Dark Horse models or the blacked-out FTR1200. I can’t see a new model so soon after the FTR.
OMG! Do you think it will be a V-Twin? Zzzzzzz! 🙂
WELLLL
Not to play devil’s advocate, BUT
Four-cylinders fit in very nicely with the Indian heritage (and are completely unlikely)
Ducati motorcycles and Suzuki’s V-Strom series seem to have done quite well with V twins. Polaris has rocked the boat figuratively over the years. A V twin isn’t always the diss of death.
Big difference in the Ducati L twin and the typical V twin – notably the 90 degree layout and 180 degree firing order which creates a “perfect balance” scenario.
V twins shake, rattle and roll their way down the road with a notable lack of balance in the design.
Comparing the Ducati to a V twin is like comparing an F1 car to a farm tractor.