Burt Munro: The Legend Who Redefined Speed

Burt Munro had a relentless need for speed, a remarkable ingenuity, and the drive to transform his dreams into reality. Born Herbert James "Burt" Munro in 1899, on a farm near Invercargill, New Zealand, his early life foreshadowed a future filled with speed. Even as a child, he sought out thrills, racing the family’s fastest horse across open fields. As Munro entered his teenage years, a world of mechanized speed—motorcycles, cars, and airplanes—was beginning to unfold, sparking his lifelong passion for engineering and racing.

At 14, Burt left the family farm to pursue an apprenticeship as a carpenter, later working on the construction of the Ora Tunnel through the Southern Alps. But fate pulled him back to Invercargill when his father purchased another farm. There, Burt found his calling, working as a motorcycle salesman and mechanic while indulging in racing. He soon established himself as one of New Zealand’s top motorcycle racers, but his real fame would come not from competing locally, but from his pioneering mechanical modifications and pursuit of land speed records.

Among the many motorcycles he owned, two dominated his life: a 1920 Indian Scout and a 1936 Velocette MSS. The Scout, which he bought at age 21, was a modest bike with a top speed of just 55 mph. But that didn’t deter Burt. Over the next 55 years, he transformed it into a machine capable of breaking records, becoming a testament to his engineering brilliance.

Unlike his competitors, who had the backing of factory teams, Burt worked entirely on his own. With limited resources, he scavenged parts, repurposed old car components, and fabricated new ones from scrap metal. By the time he was done modifying the Scout’s engine, he had pushed it to nearly 850 cc—an astonishing leap for a machine originally designed for much less power. Although the bike was rough around the edges, its performance was undeniable. Burt regularly outpaced his competition and set his first New Zealand speed record in 1938, clocking in at 120.8 mph.

But it was the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah where Bert truly made his mark on history. He made ten trips to Bonneville, beginning in 1957, and while his first visit was just for sightseeing, every subsequent trip was for racing. And race he did—often against younger, factory-backed competitors with more modern machines. Yet, Munro’s aging Indian Scout, built and modified entirely by his hands, set records that stunned the motorcycle world.

Here are some of his most impressive achievements at Bonneville:

• In 1962, with his engine modified to 850 cc, he set a class record of 178.95 mph (288 km/h).

• In 1966, with the engine at 920 cc, he set a record of 168.07 mph (270.476 km/h) in the 1000 cc class.

• In 1967, after boring the engine to 953 cc, Bert set an under-1000 cc class record of 183.59 mph (295.453 km/h). To qualify, he completed a one-way run at 190.07 mph (305.89 km/h), which remains the fastest official speed ever recorded on an Indian motorcycle.

• In 2014, 36 years after his death, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) retroactively corrected a miscalculation, officially awarding Bert a 1967 record speed of 184.087 mph (296.2593 km/h).

Burt’s accomplishments are even more astonishing considering that he was over 60 years old during his Bonneville runs, and his bike—a 1920 model—was over 40 years old. His 1967 record still stands, a lasting tribute to his engineering genius and sheer determination.

One of Burt’s most famous quotes perfectly encapsulates his passion for speed: “You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat-out than some people live in a lifetime.” It’s a sentiment that speaks to the spirit that drove him to spend countless hours handcrafting his bike, pushing it—and himself—beyond all limits.

Burt Munro passed away in 1978, but his legacy only grew. In 2013, Indian Motorcycle Company unveiled the "Spirit of Munro" streamliner, built as a tribute to Munro’s legendary Scout and as a launch platform for their new Indian 111 motor. In 2017, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Burt’s iconic 1967 record, Indian modified a new Scout to race at El Mirage and Bonneville. Fittingly, the bike was piloted by Burt’s grand-nephew, Lee Munro, who continued the family tradition by setting three class records at El Mirage and Bonneville.

Burt Munro’s story is one of a man who not only dreamed of going fast but had the creativity, grit, and determination to make those dreams a reality. His life serves as an inspiration to racers, engineers, and anyone with the courage to chase the impossible.

Sidebox: Burt Munro’s Bonneville Speed Records

• 1962: 883 cc class record – 178.95 mph (288 km/h)

• 1966: 1000 cc class record – 168.07 mph (270.476 km/h)

• 1967: Under-1000 cc class record – 183.59 mph (295.453 km/h), with a qualifying run of 190.07 mph (305.89 km/h)

• 2014 (Retroactive): 1967 record revised to 184.087 mph (296.2593 km/h)