Lipno Nad Vltadou, Czechia, June 19-22, 2025
A new location for this fifth annual Indian Riders Fest (IRF) proved to be a perfect choice – on the lakeside beachfront of Lake Lipno, in southern Bohemia in Czechia (The Czech Republic), with beautiful views and roads, great weather and thousands of visitors.
Three nights of great bands on the lakeside stage, accompanied by the famous Symphonika on the Rock Orchestra, a DJ stage, entertainment throughout the days, dozens of vendors, the Indian Village, an Indian Motorcycle raffle, the huge Indian Parade on the second day, Demo-rides, Scenic Tours, good food, drinks, party fun – the glories of summer!
Organizers Jean-Marie Guyon and his wife Leona had thought of everything and gone to great lengths to make sure everybody had a good time and that everything ran seamlessly. The event saw thousands of Indian motorcycles, of all eras, in one place at one time, and yes, its official - Indian Riders Fest is the biggest Indian Motorcycle rally in the world!
With 42 nationalities attending IFR 2025, it confirmed and proved that this is the place to be for all Indian riders – whether very old, vintage Indians, examples from various of the brand's iterations, or the latest models from the Indian Motorcycle factory at Spirit Lake, Iowa or the European assembly facility Opole, Poland.
The Budweis Custom Show was on the lakeshore, with all the Indian custom bikes lined-up in five classes on the pier next to the harbor after being extensively being photographed by international recognized custom specialist lensman Horst "Motographer" Roesler – a unique and uniquely beautiful sight, never to be repeated sight. As the show continues to develop the bikes may change each year, but the 'vibe' and special nature of this ever-growing global gathering remains the same.
As the sun set on the Friday evening it got even better with the bikes lit up by Indian-red floodlights reflecting the lights and silhouettes of the motorcycles in lake Lipno.
On Saturday, early in the morning, the team of professional judges had the task to choose the best bikes. From 10 am onwards the Public Choice could be made, by using the QR-code that every bike had on their head light.
Around noon all custom bikes participated in a 'Custom Parade' on the beachfront promenade, to show that every bike is rideable indeed, and both the bikes and their riders were introduced to the public.
The festivities continued all day with the highlight at the end of the afternoon as the prizes were handed out on the Budweis Custom Show stage. The big overall winner was Florian Pfante with his USM Indian Scout 'UNIKAT' - he won both the Builders Vote and the Best of Show!
The Jury Panel for the Budweis Custom Show 2025 featured Ola Stenegard, (Indian Motorcycle, Head of Design) as President of Honour of the 2025 BCS Jury Panel; Herman (Representing Indian Motorcycle – Polaris); Randy Lijnen (Sales development Manager for Jekill & Hyde); Detlef Achterberg (Head of Sales for Wunderkind Custom); Axel Scherer (Marketing Manager at Custom Chrome Europe); Marcos Vasquez (custom bike builder from Spain); Tomboy a Bit (YouTube, UK); and Onno "Berserk" Wieringa (Freelance reporter/photographer and AMD Ambassador) Chairman of the Jury.
Thanks to our partners, Indian Motorcycle, Wunderkind, Jekill & Hyde, Custom Chrome Europe the judges and the Budweis Custom Show team - Horst "Motographer" Roesler and Irena Duskova!
Best Indian Scout
All Scout liquid-cooled engine-based stock/modified/radical custom bikes
1. "BigRed" Scout Bobber Twenty, Erich Bacher, Austria
2. "Rusty" 2021 Scout Bobber, Michael Eckart, Bike Schmiede Süd, Germany
3. "Abahachi" Scout Bobber, Pascal Manthey, Germany
Best Indian Non-Fairing
All 111/116 Thunderstroke / 112 Power Plus engine-based stock/modified/radical customs bikes without fairing
1. "La Primera" 2024, Chief Dark Horse, Florian Pfante/USM, Germany
2. AS Bobber 250, Andreas Salterberg/AS Motorradtechnik, Germany
3. "Rusty", Chief Bobber Dark Horse, Paul Formella, Germany
Best Indian Touring (inc Baggers)
All Touring / Bagger-Style, Touring Bikes with 111/116 Thunderstroke engine or 112 Power Plus liquid-cooled engine-based stock/modified/radical custom bikes
1. 2014 Chieftain, Gerhard Zimmermann, Austria
2. "The Beast" 2023 Challenger "Race Style", Bill Brain, England
3. 2023 Chieftain, Michael Schubert/USM, Germany
