What a fantastic tribute to give someone who is passionate about riding, their ultimate one last ride.

Over the years Hope Family Funerals of Tauranga have helped many families that have lost someone who was passionate about motorcycles. Many have said to them, 'Do you have a motorcycle hearse?”

The World's ‘Fastest' Indian motorcycle hearse. Photos: Supplied.

They thought about it for a couple of years and conducted extensive research. Americans have a Trike towing an enclosed hearse type carriage. The UK have an enclosed sidecar.

Feedback from local bikers was that they wanted an open style hearse with the wind all around them.

There are a few Harley Sidecar hearses in Australia that are open to the elements and a couple in the lower North Island and South Island, so Hope Family thought 'why not”.

'We had looked at a Harley Softail and the more robust Road King. We were unsure if the best option was a Harley or an Indian,” says Ricky Hope.

'I spoke with the Tauranga Ulysses Club and asked for their opinion on Indian versus Harley. They said that they wouldn't hesitate to have their last ride on an Indian.”

Ricky says the Indian stacked up when reviewed by international riders (Cycle World), and with the Kiwi connection of Burt Munro we were convinced that the Indian was the best choice.

However, it nearly didn't happen.

'We found a new Indian Chief Classic at Wellington Motorcycles, but the owner of the company liked the bike so much he wanted to keep it. We managed to talk him around and late February this year the bike was delivered.

'We had tremendous support from local people; Kurt Nielsen of Sidecars NZ (Katikati), the amazingly talented engineer Chris Knibbs ‘Pom' (Te Puke), TruFold Products (Tauranga), Gavin Banyard and Paul from Tauranga Auto Electrical and Roy, KJ, Tim and the team at Buckeridge Repair & Refinishing Centre (Tauranga) for their excellent paint job.”

Hope Family Funerals believe they have the only Indian Motorcycle Hearse in the world and are excited to be able to offer such a wonderful tribute to passionate bikers for their ‘one last ride'.

Contact Ricky or Tony at Hope Family Funerals, they would be proud to show you their ‘world's fastest last ride' Indian Chief Classic Hearse. Phone 0800 1 LAST RIDE.

The Indian Chief Classic Hearse will be launched on July 3.

'We did it, Burt. She's the world's fastest last ride!”