Indian Motorcycle Rally(s)

Riding season is here. Are you ready for some Rallies? Indian Motorcycle "specific" rallies?

A decade ago, you had only one choice really. That was to head to the Branson area in MO every May.  Then, primarily the Iron Indians and a few others rolled into Indian Point for an annual get together. Nowadays, the choices are overwhelming!  Several years back, around 2012 time frame I also attended a small event up in MN.  Besides the MO option, this one popped up on my radar.  In the big picture it was pretty weak.  That first year a single day "Indian ride" for a whole 30 miles, but damned if quite a few bikes didn't roll in for it.   Still, it remained tiny in the big picture of things, though it peaked at a respectable number of Indian Motorcycles before it finally imploded as an event. Since then I've attended numerous events and planning on many more.

So what else is out there?  Well, I'm glad you asked .  Let me attempt to make a non-biased overview (which is tough for me if you know my history with some of these.. but I'll try!)

April:  Fredericksburg: "Indians in the Hill Country."  This has been going on for about 5 years or so.  A group of about 50 or so bikes get together at a low end motel for an extended weekend.  In all fairness, anytime you put 50 Indians in the same mix, owners are going to have a good time.  But, there is always drama in the background that a few have to endure initiated by the promoter, so I question the value.  Still, historically overall it's been a good time for most. I missed the first two years and attended the last two years (well .. sort of .. didn't register, just showed up).  Doubt I'll waste my time this year, but never say never?   EDITED:  Just heard this was canceled for 2019

May:  IRIP in Branson.  This is the grand daddy of them all, historically.  I think IRIP has been going on for something like over a dozen years. It's roots tie back to the IIRA and it was a sponsored IIRA event for many years. But back around '14 the IIRA pushed back. This is about the time the IOA came about..  Though it's an event open to all, it's primarily tied to the IOA today.  For anyone looking for a good time, this is a solid go to location. The riding in the MO and AR areas is nice, the history is there.  Only reason I don't go anymore, as well as others is  ... 'been there done it". But for the newbies... I get it!  And a few folks still attend that have some history there, especially with the charity fund raising so I get that as well.  Me personally, after the '14/'15 fiasco, I've chosen to move on and attend other events.

June: Bike week in Europe . More specifically ...  Indian Riders Budweis Fest 2019.  This is THE ONE .. to attend this year!  Tamara Smith is the only one I know for the US currently attending. I'm f**** JEALOUS!   It conflicts with the IIRA reunion, otherwise my ass would be headed to Europe. Enough Said!  My understanding is they are doing a 'Guinness record' ride so that could be interesting. Will they set a new bar?   Overall.. this is ALL OF EUROPE. How bad ass is that? If it is a blow out as I expect and repeats in '20 .. my ass will be there!

June: Rendezvous in Durango, CO.  This was a weird one for me.  For two years, they held it on the exact weekend and the IIRA Reunion in Durango. What the Fuck?   They claimed it was a coincidence, but I never bought it. Sadly, it caused confusion among the uninitiated simple as that. My understanding is they bring in over a hundred bikes every year and it looks like the folks have a good time.  Hell, we had a few folks that attended this AND the IIRA reunion previously due to the close proximity.  I haven't seen much on it so far this year, but they are a go.

June: Iron Indians Reunion in the Texas Hill Country.  Several years ago the IIRA made a decision to move away from the Branson area event and move it around the country every 2 years or so.  The previous three years this was held in Colorado. First two in Durango, the third a lil' north at Purgatory.  For this year, a vote was taken and the Texas Hill Country was chosen.  Due to a conflict of dates/events in the area, it pushed out to the third week of June; few weeks later than normal.  All riders/bikes are welcome, but the core, vast majority, will be Indian Motorcycles owned by folks in the Iron Indians Riders Association. The staging point will be in Kerrville, centered to the entire area which offers the best riding in the Great State of Texas (okay .. maybe I'm a lil' biased.  Did you sense it there?).  Guessing we'll have 100+ bikes rolling in this year. I believe this will be one of the premiere events in the country for 2019.

June: Indian Record Ride in Michigan.  I hate to say this, but this has to be the weakest attempt I've ever seen.  Three months out and crickets.   Guessing they'll be lucky to get 100 bikes? Huh

July: Indian Motorcycle Come Home Day Rally 2019.  This one is pretty quiet and off the radar for most.  Still, it's out there and looks to be IMRG related, pushed by the Springfield, MA dealeship



 August : Legends Rally.   This is kind of a no-brainer. If my ass is in the mid-west in the northern tier, I'd be headed to the Legends Rally in Racine Wisconsin!  Last year they made a weak attempt at the world record for Indians in a Parade, but everyone that was there appeared to have an awesome time.  Last year the problem was they were in the shadow of a MN fiasco coupled with the HD 115th Anniversary simultaneously; but they gave it a valiant attempt!  If I was within several hundred miles of these guys.. done deal!  Still, they really need to get their 'advertising' act together. I rarely see anything about it all out there.  Shame

August: Indian Bike Week, Stillwater MN.  I hate even mentioning this, but it's advertised out there so I'll give it a place here.   First of all, it's not a "bike week"; I've stated that for years.  I used to joke that is was just a dealership gathering for a few days. Bike Week?  Give us a break. Still, due to a crazy amount of advertising on social media, it brought in a few hundred folks before it imploded few years back.  The dealership it was based out of went under, the charity behind the scenes has gone quiet, the promoter behind it all continues to push it even though it did not happen last year.  It sort of reminds me of the 'bike week' fiasco that occurred a couple of years ago in Nashville TN where they took folk's registration funds and disappeared.  Anyone remember that one?  Caveat emptor.  :  This added late 2020- Don't say I didn't warn you!   2018 CANX, 2019 CANX, 2020 CANX, 2021 ****   .. we shall see! 

August : Gathering, in Lebanon, MO.  As with the IIRA reunion, this event actually resulted from the Branson fallout as well a few years back. It was originally in June but moved to August to allow folks to go to the Reunion AND the Gathering events.  Up near the Lake of the Ozarks, the riding and weather are awesome.   Approximately 40 to 50 bikes roll in annually.  Though also an official IIRA event, all bikes/riders are welcome of course.  This was a great time when I attended last year and I'm looking forward to this years!

September: Ride to the Barn, SC.  Been going strong for over a dozen years.  Ties back to the IIRA. Personal Invite Only. I've been meaning to go for the last several years.  Can't this year, but hoping to next year!

October: Gregory 500, Hot Springs AR  This is set to be the Ultimate Event of 2019 for the Indian Motorcycle Community.  Historically, there is an Indian ride/weekend hosted here the last few years on this exact weekend that brings in 50+ bikes and their owners. Me personally, I attended the first one back in 2014 and had a blast. This year, the decision was made to expand it to include a Guinness Motorcycle Parade attempt.  The current record is 274 and it's on track six months out to blow right past that .   The target is 500+ bikes and it looks achievable.   What makes this one

interesting is several things.  First, Indian Motorcycle of Little Rock (Gregory Polaris) is THE top dealer in the area.  They have a lot of customers and respect from owners in a multi-state region.   Secondly, the riding in Hot Springs ( the location of the event ) is top notch.  One can ride the beautiful 2 lane roads around Hot Springs, the Ouachita Mountains and even the area north of Interstate 40  (Pig Trail, Eureka Springs) in a single day if they choose.   Phenomenal riding.   Third, multiple groups will be attending and are pushing this event.  The IOA (Indian Owners Association), IIRA (Iron Indian Riders Association) and the IMRG (Indian Motorcycle Riding Group) are all pushing this event.  Additionally, groups such as the IIRA are pushing to make it a small regional event for the year to get as many folks in as possible for a long weekend of riding and fellowship.  There is a cost for the Saturday Guinness ride to cover all expenses and contribute excess funds to charity, but otherwise, the only cost folks have is room, food and drinks.


You've got to admit, there is plenty out there for everyone to attend! There are so many other things I haven't covered here.  If you know of any that should be added, please pass along and I'll add them!