Tyler O’Hara Pushes Indian Challenger To Record 194 MPH On Bonneville Salt Flats

When you think of raw American muscle on two wheels, Indian Motorcycle has been part of that story since the very beginning, starting back in 1901. And now, the legendary brand has written another chapter in its high-speed history – one that blends racing heritage, cutting-edge engineering, and a relentless pursuit of speed.

Earlier this year, Indian Wrecking Crew rider and 2-time King of the Baggers champion Tyler O’Hara took an S&S-built Indian Challenger out to the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats to see just how far they could push the limits. The result? A brand-new AMA 2000cc APS-AG land speed record, shattering a mark that had stood untouched for more than 50 years.

Breaking Barriers on the Salt

Bonneville isn’t just a race track, it’s sacred ground for speed freaks. Indian Motorcycle has been synonymous with that pursuit, from Burt Munro’s legendary runs to today’s factory-backed racing programs.

This time, O’Hara and the team from S&S Cycle and Mission Foods showed what happens when passion meets precision engineering. Charging across the flats, O’Hara clocked a blistering 194.384 mph, smashing the previous record of 169.828 mph set in 1972 by J. Angerer on a Triumph.

“Bonneville is hallowed ground — not just for Indian Motorcycle, but for all of motorsports. Our engineers and partners at S&S have spent decades chasing speed on the salt flats, and we’ve long talked about seeing what our King of the Baggers Indian Challenger could do there. While we’re proud to have broken a record, this effort was about more than setting a land speed mark — it was about honoring the legends who came before us and pushing ourselves to go as fast as we could.” said Gary Gray, Vice President of Product Technology, Racing, and Service for Indian Motorcycle.

How They Turned a King of the Baggers Challenger Into a Bonneville Missile

The Indian Challenger that dominated the King of the Baggers series was already a beast, but going nearly 200 mph requires a whole different level of engineering. The S&S and Indian Motorcycle Racing teams reimagined the bike for maximum aero and speed, making strategic changes to give O’Hara the edge:

• Lowered the bike — with no need for lean angle, it hugged the salt for better stability.
• Narrowed the bags and fairing — reducing drag for improved aerodynamic efficiency.
• Modified the fuel tank — optimized for class regulations and to help O’Hara tuck in tighter behind the fairing.
• Tweaked the engine — minor changes for extra horsepower during the short, high-speed runs.
• Kept the OEM crankshaft — sticking with the original weight for reliability.
• Raised compression — allowing the use of higher-octane fuel for more power.
• Swapped to Dunlop tires — specifically suited for land speed attempts.

The result was a fully optimized machine designed not for the track, but for one goal: setting a new standard on the Salt Flats.

A Modern Tribute to a Legendary Legacy

For Indian Motorcycle, this record isn’t just a number, it’s a continuation of a story that’s been more than a century in the making. From Burt Munro’s record runs in the 1960s to today’s engineering marvels, the pursuit of speed has always been woven into the brand’s DNA.

And with Tyler O’Hara’s latest record-breaking ride, Indian just reminded the world that they’re still pushing boundaries, and doing it with unmistakable American style and muscle.

You can watch this historic run here: