Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto
  3. News

Indian Motorcycle Wants You to Build a Custom Bike for its Epic Competition

By

Imagine what your best day ever looks like. Is it transforming a stock motorcycle into a piece of mechanical art? Spending sun-up till sun-down in your garage oasis? Then you’re probably one of the badasses of custom motorcycle building.

There’s great honor in cultivating a skill without seeking acclaim, and by this standard, none are more respected than the men who cultivate a pure love for chopping, welding, and grinding on sheet metal with zero interest in fame and fortune.

Recommended Videos

But Indian Motorcycle wants you to get some fame — and fortune for that matter. America’s first motorcycle company (founded in 1901) is looking for these skilled, passionate motorcycle mechanics to compete in an epic build-off (on Indian’s dime).

2018-Indian-Scout-Bobber-stock
Indian Motorcycle
Indian Motorcycle

The Wrench: Scout Bobber Build Off will award three everyday wrenchers, home-builders, and amateur customizers a $10,000 build budget to create a stunning two-wheel dream ride out of a stock 2018 Indian Scout Bobber (pictured above). The final motorcycles will be judged by fans, and the winner granted a grand prize of $10,000.

We absolutely dig this competition because it’s based around finding explicitly non-professional builders who don’t make a living in the custom bike world, although motorcycle industry professionals like mechanics or salespersons are welcome to join the running.

“We wanted to create a program that would celebrate the unsung heroes who spend countless hours wrenching on their bikes. The men and women who don’t do it for recognition or notoriety, but solely for self-expression and the pure art of customizing a motorcycle,” says Reid Wilson, senior director of marketing and product planning for Indian Motorcycle. “Last year we saw what professionals could do with the Scout Bobber platform when Kraus Motor, Keino Cycles, and RSD unveiled incredible designs at the Brooklyn Invitational. This year, we’re turning the spotlight away from the pros and shining it on everyday wrenchers.”

If the results are anything like the sleek rides of last year’s customs, we’re in for an auto-treat (just see below).

Indian-customs-Brooklyn-Invitational-2017
Indian Motorcycle
Indian Motorcycle

Here’s how it works: Between March 15-30, amateur builders submit an application to be one of the final three Build-Off competitors. These applications consist of a simple 500-word explanation of your building plans and why you deserving to be one of three finalists, plus a sketch or digital rendering of your customized Scout Bobber concept. (Tip: Add descriptions and imagery of previous builds to highlight your skills — don’t be modest.) Then, between April 3-13, the top submissions will be showcased online and open for fan voting. If your design is chosen, you’ll get flown out to Minneapolis for an unveiling party.

The winner will be revealed at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which runs August 3-12 in South Dakota. Along with dinero, the winner will get a feature spread in Hot Bike Magazine. (Which shouldn’t matter, since they don’t care about acclaim anyway.)

Now if only there was a competition for drinking margaritas …

Jahla Seppanen
Jahla Seppanen
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in… Read Full Bio
Topics
Auto
Porsche just proved the Cayenne Electric is the most impressive performance vehicle you can drive
Car, Transportation, Vehicle

I have seen the movies. I know there is no way that a car can survive in the jet blast of a plane. I remember the scene from Casino Royale. And for me, that is science. But the engineers at Porsche and Stratolaunch aren’t so sure. They operate in the real world of science, and they came together to see if the Porsche Cayenne Electric could withstand the take-off power of one of the largest and most powerful aircraft in the world. Why? Because they can and because curiosity oftentimes leads to something awesome. Spoiler alert…the car holds up. But don’t take my word for it.

The car is its own beast. It’s got the ability to keep up and play in this space. – Orlando Bloom, Porsche ambassador

Read more
Auto
Indian commits to American artistry with Signature Series
Machine, Spoke, Helmet

There is something about sitting on the back of a motorcycle that you can’t feel anywhere else. Road trips feel different on the back of a bike versus in a car. Maybe it is the solo aspect of it. Maybe there is the feeling of the wind. Who knows? What I do know is that there is nothing like a bike ride through the countryside. The winding roads, the sunsets through the visor of the helmet, all of it is unrivaled. Indian Motorcycle understands this, and they have since they became the first American motorcycle company. Now, they have dropped a new Signature Series of four motorcycles echoing their commitment to American artistry and craftsmanship.

Since 1901, Indian Motorcycle has pursued the ultimate intersection of form and function – motorcycles that are as beautiful in design as they are sophisticated in performance – Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle

Read more
Auto
Is the BMW XM a perfect blend of practicality and performance
Car, Transportation, Vehicle

The BMW XM has received a bit of a mixed response, but there’s a strong argument that it’s a logical next step on from the BMW M5. Think about it, the M5 is special because it combines practicality with exceptional performance. The BMW XM does the same thing, though you’re trading a little handling quality for far more practicality.

On a recent venture in BMW’s performance SUV, I weighed up the pros and cons of BMW’s most divisive vehicle. And it may be a better choice than BMW’s flagship.

Read more