Alligator History

Legendary racing driver and race car manufacturer Dan Gurney is the inventor of the ALLIGATOR motorcycle, and the founder and CEO of Dan Gurney ALLIGATOR Motorcycles Inc. This new company is a division of Dan Gurney’s All American Racers - the well known racing prototype and manufacturing facility operating out of its Santa Ana location since 1965. Both Dan and AAR have made names for themselves by winning races and championships in the major leagues of motor sports around the world. Most of them with the fabled Eagle machines designed and built by AAR.

Since he was a teenager in Long Island, Dan Gurney’s passion was equally divided between two- and four-wheel machines. The dream to build his own motorcycle goes back many decades. As soon as he could afford it, he set out to transform this dream into reality, starting out modestly with one mechanic in a small back room at AAR. With exemplary dedication, perseverance, imagination, technical knowledge and a passion for riding as well as a love for cycles – especially the sound of singles – he saw the project through to its eye-popping completion. The first phase of the program, the manufacturing of "36 Limited Edition Grand Prix ALLIGATORS" has started.

This exclusive single cylinder handcrafted bike with its unique look and riding characteristics is a fitting continuation of the Gurney legacy. While world famous as a driver of immense talent, versatility and success, Dan’s greatest achievements extend beyond the cockpit - as a trailblazer and a race car builder. In 1963 he helped foster Indy–car’s rear engine revolution. In 1967 he made his mark as a car constructor and driver by winning the Belgian Grand Prix in an Eagle, built in California by his company. In the late 60s and early 1970s he made the Eagle the dominant force in Indy car racing. In the 80s he ventured into sports car racing, annihilating the competition with the Eagle GTP sports car in 1992/93. Developer of the Gurney Flap, an aerodynamic device adopted by the racing and aviation industry, Gurney also introduced the full face helmet to Indy car and F I racing. He helped to bring street racing to the United States by co founding the Long Beach Grand Prix and was one of the driving forces behind the formation of CART. "To go where no man has gone before" has been a Gurney trademark for four decades.

About 30 years ago Dan and his motorcycle friends lined up for a photo with the "1967 Riverside Rex Mays 300" Indy-winning Eagle. From front to rear: Roger de Coster, Dan Gurney, Joel Robert, Dave Bickers, Bud Ekins and Torsten Hallman, representing 17 European and World Championships and 6 ISDT gold medals.

The latest result of this broad experience and curiosity coupled with a "can-do-attitude" is this intriguing new machine. The one cylinder ALLIGATOR is similar in many ways to the first cycle designed and built in 1886 by Gottlieb Daimler in Bad Cannstatt, Germany. It can be considered a modern version of the great-great-great grandfather of all gasoline powered motorcycles. In other words: a 21st century nostalgia bike. With its low center of gravity, it looks unique and most importantly, it feels like nothing else on the road. It produces a high degree of riding confidence and security with a fabulous fun factor to match!

After several years of R & D, six different prototype configurations all powered by modified Honda single cylinder engines (from the A-1 to the A-6) have logged thousands of miles and have been ridden so far by 89 different riders including professional motorcycle and car racers, prominent bike enthusiasts, engineers, journalists and regular Sunday riders.

The ALLIGATOR name, which has been trademarked, came about because of the bike’s long, low appearance. The name was also chosen to reflect the American aspect of the cycle. The Alligator is a species of North America not found anywhere else in the world. While it is a primitive animal with a history stretching back to the dinosaurs, it can be fierce and quick, having adapted well to its environmental conditions through the ages.

In the modern day world of design by computer, committee and consensus, this machine is the product of one man’s idea in the tradition of the great motor men of the past like Porsche, Ferrari, Ford, Tucker, Bloor, Britten and Honda.