I think it’s a non issue… People aren’t the media and that scum pond is not who you’re going to run into on your travel’s because they don’t actually exist in our society…

 

Well said brother! A refreshing and inspiring outlook.

 

A good friend of mine just spent time riding through several reservations on his Indian, and his wife on her Indian. They said the people with enthusiastic about seeing the bikes. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Be nice to them, and I would expect you get much more in return.

 

Living in South Dakota I've ridden through reservations many times. Just bought my Indian last year and I haven't yet ridden it on a reservation, so I don't know the reaction I would get. However, I've received both positive and negative comments about my motorcycle from Native Americans here in Sioux Falls. Just depends on the person, I guess.

In 2006 I stopped in Martin, SD on the Pine Ridge Reservation for gas. Pine Ridge contains the poorest counties in the United States. A white car pulled up and two younger Native American men got out and started walking towards me. They looked like gang-bangers, and I was trying to analyze the situation and determine emergency plans should I need to make a quick getaway. Suddenly, one of them put their arm on the shoulder of the other and pointed. A reservation cop had just pulled into the station. They both paused and slowly started back to their car. I decided I didn't want to stick around and find out how this whole situation was going to pan out, especially if the cop suddenly got a call and left. I quickly threw my gear on, hopped on my bike and took off. Unfortunately, in sliding my goggles into place I accidentally pushed a glob of sunscreen into my eye. The pain was searing, but I wasn't going to stop and correct this until I was out of view. I drove with one eye shut, blinded with pain about a mile out of town, until I couldn't take it any longer. I stopped and got off the bike to clean out my eye. As I was doing so, a car went by on the highway then suddenly slowed down. Sure enough, when I looked it was the white car with the same two guys. I was cleaned up good enough, so I hopped back on the bike and hit the road. As soon as I started moving again, they took off and turned down a side road. I have no idea what that whole thing was about. I think I'm glad I didn't find out.

I also had an incident in 2018 where I discovered that gas is extremely scarce on the Cheyenne River Reservation. My tank got low enough that I started riding about 45 mph (the speed where that bike got the best MPG) and turning the motor off and coasting down hills. I literally ran out of gas as I pulled into a station. That day enhanced my prayer life.

 

I have a 1/2 native American as a grandchild.
Indians are from india.

 

I have a 1/2 native American as a grandchild.
Indians are from india.

Are you offended by the word Indian?

 

I stopped for gas once on the Crow Indian Reservation near the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. I was on a Scout Bobber. A Native American man walked by and said nice bike. I said I hope you don't find it offensive in any way, and he said, "Only white woman named Karen get offended." He went on to tell me about all his friends' bikes, and how most of them were Indian motorcycles.

 

What about the members of the roughly 71 other gender pronouns that are surely offended by the brand name of your particular motorcycle?

 

It's a non-issue. I've done it plenty of times.

Phil

 

I got caught out at night in the Crow Indian Res during last years big Powwow. The gas station hangout scene was unnerving to me, a solo traveler. I mean I’m a tough guy, but this place was not concerned about the safety of people like me. I finally found a motel, paid a lot of money for a crappy room and shoved the dresser up against the door to the adjoining room. I loaded my pepper gun, prayed, and fell asleep.

It‘s an altogether different feeling when you pause to check your gps and a young man comes riding up on you on a paint horse in the middle of the night, let me tell ya.

 

I have had my Roadmaster through several reservations in the west, and usually i get an enthusiastic wave and a thumbs up. Have had several folks walk up and want to see it and admire it and strike up a conversation. So far everyone seems to think it is pretty cool.

 

Depends on the rez... as far as the bike and it's name no one really gives a rats behind... as far as actually traveling through them well that's another story... Pine Ridge and Rose Bud in SD I would HIGHLY suggest only traversing during the day..

 

I’ve ridden thru several East & West Coast reservations over the years by vehicle and motorcycle (on an Indian), stopped for gas, & never thought about it. Never encountered any trouble. I’d probably feel safer riding across a reservation than thru many areas of L.A., Detroit, St. Louis, New Orleans, etc.

 

Riding through Detroit is definitely an interesting experience……

 

I live in Montana. My advice would is to be careful, I do avoid the Reservations as they are off the beaten path so to speak, fuel, food and lodging are sparse. There is also the fact they have their own Law Enforcement, Montana Law enforcement ends at the Reservation borders, here in Montana the citizens on Reservations are poor and many times destitute. Too many variables/possibles to encounter trouble from a number of sources.

 

If you’re doing any extensive riding out west, it’s hard not to ride through reservation land at some point. The Navajo Reservation in Az,NM,Ut is almost 30k sq. miles. Tourism is a big part of their economy. I rode across it and an Apache reservation in New Mexico a couple weeks ago. Born and raised in the Pacific North West and Rocky Mts and have lived next to reservation land all my life. Some incorporated towns in Ida, Mt, Wy, Or are right in the middle of a reservation. Years ago I had a bro that was a rancher and “Rez” cop up in Idaho. I asked him if he’d let slide if he caught me speeding. He said hell no, I love pulling over you pale faces.So it behooves one to be respectful and obey the local speed limit. He gave me a t-shirt that said “Custer got the point” lol.

 

Ditto to most of the above comments. My trip last year had me spending 5-6 days traveling through reservation lands in Utah, NM, and Arizona. I'm not an overly social person when stopping for gas, but during my 3 day 2 night stay in Monument Valley I received lots of compliments on my Springfield, and later in the week I stumbled into a Native American 5k run finish line at a gas station rest area near Tuba City AZ and ended up spending about 25 minutes yapping it up with several of the group making sure the runners were hydrated and registered. Nothing but good experience for me.

 

A few years agony wife and I were riding through a reservation and stopped for a snack near a lake. When a Native American came near, my wife asked her if she was/would be offended by my Chief, she said no. It bothered her more that we carved 4 white presidents on a mountain but had no monuments to them though. I would say it depends on who you encounter on your voyages more than the just passing through.

 

agony wife

Do I dare ask what an "agony wife" is?

-insert comments that all wives are "agony wife."

 

There are a few reservations near me that everyone is pretty cool at. One of my buddies lives up on the reservation and the people all love the bike when I visit. Some more remote areas may be different though.

 

Everyone I've ever asked about it who has Native American heritage is proud of the fact that a bike company pays homage to their heritage

 

I'd have reservations about doing it...

 

While on vacation one year, 1990, we visited the Nambe people in New Mexico. Somehow, popped into their family reunion on the 4th of July. Treated us like family. One of the best experiences of my life. I could tell a long story about how welcoming and decent these people were to me and my family. Here is a photo.

My son had been injured and had his eye damaged. They had him dance in a ceremony. They blessed him. In August, I left for Desert Shield. When I returned almost a year later, he was completely healed.

 

We have traveled through the various Reservations in the southwest many times on bikes. I have never had an incident with any of the people. I would recommend that you stay on the major roads and travel in daylight. Be respectful and willing to tip for services if appropriate. As to the brand of motorcycles we ride I've only had admirers.

 

I agree. We have two reservations just north of us in Omaha and have rode through there numerous times. The times that I have stopped for gas I have had native Americans stop and look at my RM and admire the bike. Never a negative word was expressed to me but I am also 6'4" and about 375 lbs with a big smile on my face! Dean

 

Scalp prices are down 40% you should be ok

 

PETA is sticking their damn noses into everything. 🤬

 

I ride through Qualla Boundary lands quite a bit. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians seem to like my bike, and the other Indians I ride with quite a bit. Never heard anything but compliments.

 

I think we may want to focus on the key part of the original question- "So how comfortable are you folks scooting through these reservations on a “Blatantly Badged Indian“?

I suspect most Indian riders have gone through the reservations without issues and have had a great time. However, if you are constantly looking over your shoulder and worried about being hassled, do you really even want to be in the area? Sometimes you might not have a choice and have to travel on a reservation. If this is the case, there is a lot of good advice in this thread. However, if you don't have to go through the reservation, why spend your time looking over your shoulder?

 

I think we may want to focus on the key part of the original question- "So how comfortable are you folks scooting through these reservations on a “Blatantly Badged Indian“?

I suspect most Indian riders have gone through the reservations without issues and have had a great time. However, if you are constantly looking over your shoulder and worried about being hassled, do you really even want to be in the area? Sometimes you might not have a choice and have to travel on a reservation. If this is the case, there is a lot of good advice in this thread. However, if you don't have to go through the reservation, why spend your time looking over your shoulder?

 

Because honestly I have never worried about. I’m more worried going thru a big city! So guess what? I don’t ride downtown in those cities. Dean

 

We have two reservations in the county I live in. (the ones that @Dean E mentioned above) I've never had an issue with either. But, you must remember that a reservation is like any city that you might visit. In 98% of the places that you visit, it is perfectly fine. However, there are also some not so good places that you don't want to venture to.

 

I know it will sound stupid and a lot like 'something grandma would say' but it is hard for trouble to find you unless you are looking for it. It costs nothing to be kind and respectful to all you meet.....

although there are some cager behaviors that really test me.