Indian Launches ARO, An In-House Performance Product LineThis all-new performance division for Indian Motorcycle, called ARO, provides performance parts, accessories, and “future technologies.”Cruiser folks love to farkle, as it’s not often you see a bone-stock bagger, one not adorned with a slip-on exhaust, new handlebars, chrome accoutrements, or an upgraded stereo system. And the new owners of Indian Motorcycle know this and are looking to capitalize on the upgrade craze with an in-house line of performance products and accessories under the name American Racing Operations, or ARO, which Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle, calls a “race-inspired, factory-backed performance halo brand.”The new product line launched last week with, you guessed it, a dual slip-on exhaust system for select bagger and touring models. But according to Kennedy, the new ARO GP Slip-On Exhaust is “the first in what we expect to be a long line of performance products we will develop.”Designed by Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle race team principal, Terry Vance, the ARO GP Slip-On Exhaust (MSRP $799.99 ) pulled design inspiration from the team’s road racing efforts at the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers and delivers a “commanding sound.”AdvertisementAdvertisementNew pipes are nice, but there’s something more interesting happening here.Not only is Indian Motorcycle offering a new line of products that are eerily similar to the Screamin' Eagle variety produced by its rival a few states over, but they are doubling down on the success they’ve seen in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series – the team has won all four races and collected 9 of 12 podium spots over the series’ first two rounds.They’ve teamed up with Vance & Hines—a company that Kennedy was previously CEO of—and will be running an ARO two-into-one exhaust system developed exclusively for the factory racing program on the J&P Cycles/Motul/Vance & Hines Factory Indian machine for the remainder of the King of the Baggers season.On paper it looks like Indian Motorcycle is hoping that the adage of ‘Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday,’ works for the brand, and perhaps they can see a return on the investment they’ve made in both the development of the racing bagger and the cost to contest them throughout the year.AdvertisementAdvertisementHarley-Davidson has a proven track record for selling parts and accessories, and it looks like Indian Motorcycle is hoping to tap into that revenue stream as well, whether it’s updating a bike fresh off the showroom floor, or adding some excitement to the used bagger someone just bought.Baggers, Cruisers and Customs, Oh My!This Chinese Hardtail Cruiser Is Powered By An Old Sportster MotorBMW Just Built A Rocketship Bagger Motorcycle, And It's Called the Vision K18