Indian Motorcycle has announced official support for the 2023 staging of the Indian Riders Fest (IRF), which is expected to be the world’s largest gathering of Indian Motorcycle owners following the impressive attendance at the 2022 event. Located in ÄŒeské BudÄ›jovice (Budweis), Czech Republic, the festival will centre around a large event village in the city exhibition grounds and will see a rich programme of events from June 9-11, 2023.

The IRF was born from the desire of organiser Jean-Marie Guyon to bring riders from Europe and beyond to Budweis, regardless of language or cultural background, to share their passion for the iconic Indian Motorcycle brand and have an incredible weekend. Expectations are high that 2023 could set new records after IRF 2022 saw more than 2500 motorcycles attend the festival and the celebratory parade featured 1200 Indian Motorcycles.

“IRF 2023 will include all the elements that made previous editions successful, beginning with freedom and friendship. The Indian Riders Festival is undoubtedly an international event, with attendees from over 37 nations and the organisation team is thrilled to welcome Indian Motorcycle again as a main partner,” said Jean-Marie Guyon.

“Our Indian Motorcycle Riders groups throughout Europe have really gained momentum in recent years and the desire for special destination events is evident from the outstanding success of IRF 2022. Interest in the festival has only continued to grow and I feel certain that the 2023 event will again be the largest gathering of Indian Motorcycle owners anywhere in the world. We’re delighted to continue and expand our support for the IRF and I really look forward to being among the riders in June,” said Grant Bester, Vice President International for Indian Motorcycle.

Just a short walk from the city centre, the event village will welcome riders with a large Indian Motorcycle area and, to kick-off the weekend’s events, a big live concert followed by a DJ led afterparty will be held on the Friday evening.

With a genuine apparel shop, the Indian Motorcycle Roadshow truck offering test rides on the latest models, an official Indian Motorcycle Dealership presence providing full servicing and maintenance, festivalgoers will also have plenty of entertainment and shopping opportunities from more than 100 exhibitors and stands, plus the chance to win a customised Indian Challenger in the big prize raffle.

In addition to more live concerts throughout the weekend, creative talent will be on display in the Custom Indian Motorcycle Show, heritage on show in the Vintage motorcycle exhibition while The Lucky Daredevils defy gravity on the famous Wall of Death, Martin Krátky performs stunts on his Indian FTR and expert riding of a different kind thrills in the regular rodeo shows.

The Saturday parade has become a famous highlight of the festival and has grown from 465 Indian Motorcycles in 2019 to 1200 last year. Now, organisers are preparing a new 25km route on roads closed especially for the ride in anticipation of breaking the 2000 Indian Motorcycle mark. The ride will also put a spotlight on women bikers with the Ladies First group heading the parade following the success of this initiative in 2022.

After a ride through the beautiful Bohemia area, the parade will finish at the heart of the city in the Přemysl Otakar II square providing a spectacular photo opportunity as the Indian Motorcycle Riders groups lay their flags in the centre of the historic square surrounded by their motorcycles.

For those who’d like to attend the festival but can’t ride to the event, there is the option to hire an Indian Motorcycle onsite over four to six day periods through the official rental partner, ZM-Moto.

Rentals will be available onsite from as early as Tuesday 6th June and there is a choice of 17 Indian Motorcycles across the Scout, FTR, Chief, Chieftain and Springfield model ranges.

Prices start at 184 € per day based on a six day rental of an Indian Scout.

For more information, terms and conditions, and bookings please visit the IRF e-Shop (links below).

The Indian Riders Fest has become an essential date for European riders, welcoming everyone regardless of motorcycle brand, and tickets are selling fast. Interested riders should head to the festival’s website to secure their tickets for a great summer weekend with like-minded people.

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Indian Riders Fest 2023 Teaser Video

An eclectic mix of title-winning bikes covering four decades will be displayed at The Classic Dirt Bike Show sponsored by Hagon Shocks on February 11-12.

Representing the 1950s is Jeff Smith’s 1953 BSA Gold Star on which he won the 1955 Scottish Six Days Trial. The machine is very easily recognisable – the BSA factory competition department drilled hundreds of different sized holes in it, giving the bike its name: Smith’s Woodpecker Goldie. Jeff won the 1954 Victory Trial on this bike in a rigid format before changing to swinging arm mode in mid-1954, after which he won many trade-supported nationals in 1955.

The 1960s is represented by another famous BSA on which Scott Ellis, the Studley Midlands engineer, somewhat surprisingly won the 1965 British Experts Trial in one of the hardest ever UK trials events. Battered by snow and bitterly cold winds, Scott beat Sammy Miller by two points – 64 to 66 – in a winter Birmingham MCC thriller. Scott’s machine was highly modified, not having the usual engine cradle, having oil in the frame and a special light alloy cylinder. The cream of Britain’s trials riders had to play second fiddle to the 24-year-old who secured his triumph at the infamous and previously unconquered Bongham Alley sections in Wales. Tackling the bike’s reconstruction is the experienced Colin Dommett. It’s been stripped entirely since 1971 and will be displayed for the first time ever at next month’s show at Telford International Centre, which Colin and Scott both plan to attend.

In the 1970s, ‘Magical’ Mick Andrews was truly the Monarch of the Glen, winning the Scottish Six Days on five occasions. French super-enthusiast, Olivier Barjon, will take Mick’s famous ‘cantilever’ 1974 Scottish winning Yamaha to the show. It was the first time that a cantilever or monoshock machine had won a major event. Mick hasn’t seen the bike for 39 years and will attend the show for a nostalgic look at his old steed, which has been impounded in the French Yamaha importer Sonauto’s headquarters for most of that time. Mick won the 1974 event, beating trials supremo Malcolm Rathmell into second place.

In the 1980s, Telford guest Dave Thorpe was the king, winning the Motocross World Title three times in 1984, 86 and 89. He also took eight British Championships and the World Veterans crown. All his world titles were on a Honda machine, and two of them are still in the UK so Dave hopes to secure the 1986 bike to display at the show. Dave’s first two titles were gained in dramatic fashion at the Wohlen circuit in Switzerland each time from Belgian superstar Andrew Malherbe. For the title chase in 1989, the much-missed Eric Geboers was forced to play second fiddle to the powerful Brit. Since retirement, Dave has secured major success as the UK team manager for the 1994 Motocross Nations, guiding the British team to its first success for decades. These days, Dave works in an ambassadorial/promotional role for Honda, while also running Honda’s off-road training at all levels. He also still finds time to run the Honda factory’s World Motocross team. Thorpe’s career highs and lows will be revealed to visitors as commentator John McCrink quizzes the motocross star when they take to the stage at Telford.

HASLAM, Nation, Crighton; names known to all race fans, names synonymous with a golden age of racing, and names set to entertain on stage in just a few weeks.

The trio are among the star guests at the upcoming Bristol Classic Bike Show, set for February 25-26 at the Royal Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet, and if you want to hear what they have to say – as well as enjoy hundreds of other attractions at the show – then get your skates on to enjoy a special ticket discount price.

‘Rocket Ron’ Haslam is one of Britain’s most successful racers, winning two world titles, four British Championships and having raced in over 100 grands prix. He’s an Isle of Man TT race winner, claimed a record six Macau GP wins and has beaten the best in the world, names including Gardner, Sarron and Mamola. He’s also been a team mate to Freddie Spencer and Keven Schwantz to name just two.

Trevor Nation will forever be associated with the stunning John Player Special RCW588 Norton racing machines. Starting out in 1978, Nation soon made a mark and the following year won for the first time. A proper TT winner in the proddie class on both a 750cc and 1000cc machines, he also guested at three grands prix. He certainly earned his seat on the factory Norton team, getting their first win at Cadwell Park in 1988 on the development bike the RC588 - beating the likes of Whitham, Foggy, Spray and Morrison in the process.

‘Mr Rotary’, the legendary tuner, designer, and uber engineer Brian Crighton, will be joining Haslam and Nation on stage to talk all things rotary and of course, the bikes and the men who rode them. Crighton, a three-time British champ himself, was a service engineer at Norton in 1984 and a year later was promoted to R&D. It was there he spotted there was a real potential in the company’s 588cc air-cooled rotary. Determined to prove his point, and defying the management’s conventional approach, he worked in his free time from the caretaker’s shed… the rest, as they say, is racing history.

Nigel Hole, commercial director of the show’s organiser Mortons Media, said:

‘We’re absolutely delighted to have two legendary racers, one incredible engineer and four rotary machines live on stage to entertain our guests throughout the weekend. Bristol is always a highlight in our events calendar, but this year we are even more excited to bring something extra (John Player) special to the show!’

The union of the Norton bikes and the men who rode them - watched by thousands in person and millions on terrestrial TV - will enthuse both racing fans and motorcycle enthusiasts, and adds to a show which already has a great foundation with excellent autojumble stands, some of the UK’s best privately-owned classic motorcycles and a host of owners’ clubs to give it a real community feel. 

The event also offers one of the earliest chances of the year for visitors to stock up on classic parts, spares, accessories and riding gear for the season ahead. It's a popular date on the motorcycling event calendar, attended by more than 16,000 like-minded enthusiasts every year.

Discounted advance tickets are on sale for the show, with a one-day adult pass costing just £14.50. Tickets will also be available on the gate at £17 – youngsters aged 15 and under get free admission. Free parking is available on site.  

For more information visit bristolclassicbikeshow.com