Indian Motorcycle and FMX star Danny Schneider join forces
Indian Motorcycle has partnered with former FMX star and award-winning vintage custom builder Danny Schneider for exciting future collaborations
INDIAN Motorcycle and FMX star, and more recently custom motorcycle builder, Danny Schneider have teamed up for a series of collaborations in the near future.
The finer details of exactly what the collaborations are going to look like are still to be revealed, although it’s fair to say that Schneider’s personal affinity with Indian Motorcycle has been a long time in the making.
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“This is a huge honour. Indian Motorcycle is an old love of mine particularly since I built my 1931 Scout. Then when the FTR came out, I wanted one so badly. And it’s now a reality thanks to the team at Indian motorcycle,” he said. “I expected the FTR to be quite different and that I’d need a lot of time to get used to it. But as soon as I sat on it, we clicked. I felt super comfy and confident and that’s the most important thing whenever you try a new bike. The balance, power, and handling are extraordinary. Plus, I love the display.”
Born in Bümplitz, Switzerland in the mid-seventies, Schneider went from an early start in BMX riding to becoming an FMX star then switching direction to become an award-winning custom bike builder.
“I was diagnosed with ADHD and needed an intense sport like this, something I could really throw all my extra energy into. I had a blast.”
With his natural talent for riding, Danny ventured into Motocross at 16 and by 20 was competing in the extreme sport of FMX (Freestyle Motocross) to become a major force in the developing Swiss scene and a global FMX star. Curtailing his career, Schneider had a huge practice crash that smashed his ankle into 18-pieces.
“I knew my competitive riding days were over, but I also knew I couldn’t re-train to work in an office. I needed to find something that would let me express myself. As soon as I could, I bought an old bike and started to modify it and what started as a hobby soon turned into a profession. In 2002, I founded my Hardnine Choppers garage and I’ve been customising vintage motorcycles ever since. Bringing them back to life as roadworthy pieces of art.”
Now ranked among the best vintage bike builders worldwide, Danny needed his friends’ help in the early days to learn the metalwork skills to be able to realise his creations. But soon his builds started to gain attention and the 2009 D’MX build gained praise in over 20 international magazines.
“That was a real turning point for my career and Hardnine Choppers. The global attention the D’MX bike got was incredible. Soon I was being invited to custom shows and winning trophies in the big competitions.”
We’ll be keeping you up to date with what Schneider and Indian Motorcycle have planned for the partnership, or you can keep up to date with his bikes and projects on his Instagram below.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
