Let’s talk about something that often goes unnoticed during the Motorcycle TransAm: our support crew. These folks are the quiet heroes who keep everything moving, making sure our century-old bikes and riders make it to the finish line each day.
For our 34 riders this year, we had two incredible riders out on the road every single day: Connor Levenson and Sean Jackson. They rode ahead, doubled back, and zigzagged across the route, helping whoever needed it, wherever they were. Most people know Connor as an Indian guy through and through, but truth be told, he can fix just about anything that runs on gas. Sean may be partial to Harleys, but he’s right there too, turning wrenches and able to fix anything that needs help.
Each of them carried a specialty tool pack, the kind of setup that only someone who has spent years riding and fixing century-old machines could put together. Along with tools, they carried fix-a-flat, slime, and spare gas for anyone who might have underestimated the distance between fuel stops. I’m sure there’s other special things they had too that I just don’t know about.
For all of this, both Connor and Sean were riding the new 2025 Indian Pursuit Dark Horse. These bikes couldn’t have been more perfect for what we needed. With plenty of cargo space for tools, supplies, and spare parts, they were workhorses that still had serious performance. The 108 cubic inch PowerPlus engine gave them the get up and go they needed for darting ahead or getting back quickly to help someone in need. Comfortable, responsive, and built for long miles, they proved themselves every single day. I heard Sean say, “Next time I need a modern bike, this is the one I’m getting. I’ve never ridden anything that could take this kind of beating and still feel solid every mile. From mountain passes to long highway runs, it handled everything without complaint. I’m not easy to impress, but this one did it.” I think they got a little spoiled with the windshields, heated seats, and heated grips.
We also had Bryan Helm, our amazing photographer, riding an Indian Roadmaster. Bryan has one of the hardest jobs out there, getting in front of the pack for those incredible shots, then circling back to catch the riders in the middle and tail end of the group. The Roadmaster’s smooth handling and stability made that possible, even on tight mountain curves and long open stretches. It’s a big machine that rides light, and Bryan used every bit of that to his advantage.
Without the support of Indian Motorcycle, we would have been in big trouble. These modern bikes were essential to keeping our vintage ones running, helping our crew stay quick, efficient, and safe. From the first mile to the last, Indian made sure our team had what they needed to support everyone else, and that made all the difference.
Photos by: Olivier Touron, Kazuo Matsumoto
Sponsored by: Legends Motorcycles, Sinless Cycles, Competition Distributing, Veritas Vintage, Antique Motorcycle Club of America
