Indian Versus Harley Motorcycles. The Great Rivalry Goes On.

The rivalry between Indian and Harley is part of motorcycle history and lasted during most of last century’s twenties, thirsts and forties. What about putting again both brands in a race in America. It will happen again between May 12th and 14th 2011 with “The Great Indian Versus Harley Race” with planned rides through the California Gold Country, Yosemite, and surrounding area.

It will be 3 fun days of riding and friendly competition with checkpoints, timed mileage sections and other challenges. At each checkpoint the rider will be earning points for his brand of motorcycle. At the end of the event competitors and friends will gather for a banquet feast and crown the “The Great Race”race winner with a trophy and bragging rights for the next year. Entries are limited to genuine Indians & Harley Motorcycles 1965 & earlier. All questions answered by calling Gary Stark at 951-656-1998. Online registration open at The Great Indian Versus Harley Race.

19 Responses to “Indian Versus Harley Motorcycles. The Great Rivalry Goes On.”


  1. 1 LENNY SINNET ASTC PERFORMANCE Nov 10th, 2010 at 7:31 pm

    This is one for you Mike Thomas From Kiwi Indian…

  2. 2 Neo Dutch Nov 11th, 2010 at 12:36 am

    Not sure his bikes are “Indians” or pre ’65.

  3. 3 Neo Dutch Nov 11th, 2010 at 12:38 am

    Have had one of these in Australia for many years.

  4. 4 Jester Nov 11th, 2010 at 6:40 am

    Kiwi can’t participate with his built bikes (not genuine Indians), only with an oem Indian . I am pretty sure he owns one.

  5. 5 Mike Tomas, Kiwi Indian MotorCycle Co Nov 11th, 2010 at 7:30 am

    This a great event to bring to the US. The original organizers are Peter Arundel and Dave Reidie of Australia.
    I have quite a few original Indians for these types of events. Hopefully for the betterment of the event childish antique motorcycle club politics is not present.
    Peter does things properly so with his guidance it will be a classy event.

  6. 6 Doc Robinson Nov 11th, 2010 at 7:56 am

    You go Kiwi! For many years Mr Indian – by any standards.

  7. 7 Rick Lossner Nov 11th, 2010 at 8:40 am

    @neo.. where’d you come up with ’65”??

  8. 8 Rick Lossner Nov 11th, 2010 at 8:42 am

    LOL… disregard my last .. better question.. where’d the promoter come up with ’65??? Obviously, only pertains to HD for that last decade………

  9. 9 Grayhawk Nov 11th, 2010 at 9:08 am

    Rick it is obviously a handicapped event for fairness, LOL, seriously if you haven’t hit the hot button link on the lead-in above and watched the u-tube clip of the downunder event do so. Looks like a lot of fun and the way it should be.

  10. 10 lumpy Nov 11th, 2010 at 10:17 am

    The Way It Was An STILL SHOULD BE!!!!! Bring Back All American Motorcycles !!!!!! No Jap Crap Parts On New Harley’s !!!!! Wish Springfield Mass Was Still Indian Employed!!!

  11. 11 cwglide Nov 11th, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    What a great event! Fabulous route through the Sierra’s. Hey Cyril you need a field correspondent for this one? j/k. I’d like to check it out and hear all the banter between Indian & Harley owners. Sounds like a lot of fun! Old time American rivalry, its great! Happy Vets day everyone

  12. 12 lcfabrications Nov 11th, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    Mike,

    did you hear 80% of every harley ever built is still on the road
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….and the other 20% made it back home!

  13. 13 Joe D Nov 11th, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    Cyril….do you have an e-mail address for the guy promoting the event.?

    Went to the website, but no “contact” page.

    Of course, I could actually pick up the phone and call……..hahahaha………do people still do that?

  14. 14 Gary Stark - Event Organizer Nov 11th, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    Hello – This event has been run in Australia for 18 years – The event is a tie – 9 wins Indian, 9 wins Harley!
    After attending the event in Australia this past January, I had such a great time that I asked Peter Arundel, one of the event sponsors in Australia, if he would mind if I brought this event to the states. With his blessing I started planning the event for 2011.

    Down under they limit the bikes to 1957 or earlier, after talking to Harley owners they recommended that I increase that to ’65 or earlier to fit in a few more Harley models. (Doesn’t help the Indians much).

    We’ve got our routes planned at it’s looking like it will be a blast of a ride!

    I can be reached via email: gary at starklite dot com

    Sincerely,
    Gary Stark
    Starklite Cycle

  15. 15 nicker Nov 12th, 2010 at 10:10 pm

    If an electric-start Pan-head is legal why not an Indian -Enfield of that 60’s era….???

    -nicker-

  16. 16 Joe Nov 15th, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Here in Mexico the rivalry between the two brands has moved to a different level. Since last year every time there’s a HOG rally the guys of Indian/Kuryakyn (they are authorized dealers of both) attend the events with their trailers. Everyhthing legit, usually threy rent a spot to set up the booth and pay taxes,rent and all local permits. The HD dealers use their influences with the law and try to shut them down. This last weekend I went to work with Indian to the HOG national rally held in Queretaro, since all permits were paid and everything was legal HD unleashed the dogs of “Hacienda” (Mexican IRS), once they saw they couldn’t go the legal way, they threaten to audit every single item saying that they were gonna find something wrong even if it wasn’t and keep the trailers impounded. Seeing that the battle was lost we put everything back in the trailers but then the local cops told us they had orders to escort us to the city limits. I’ve been kicked out of bars for different reasons but this was unbelievable. So much for fairness.

  17. 17 Chief Waldo Nov 15th, 2010 at 1:15 pm

    Why not brand new machines? Of course, then they’d have to add Victory, who would blow both HD and Indian away…

  18. 18 Wiz Nov 16th, 2010 at 6:22 am

    Years ago down in Austin,TX, Skinny had a ’47 Indian an’ I had a ’40 Flathead Harley an’ it was always a competion between us ridin’ in the Texas Hill country. It was Great! Win some, lose some, never did have a resolution as to the best, but had a good time doin’ it. We both still got ’em so the battle continues. If ya got either one you’re a winner! Wiz

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Cyril Huze