Indian Riders Fest 2026

Indian Riders Fest 2026 Marks Indian's 125th Anniversary

Time is tight on this reminder, but this great official IRF26 poster (designed by Russell Murchie, under the creative direction of Ola Stenegärd) reminds us that in additional to being the 5th Anniversary Edition of the Budweis Indian Motorcycle Custom Show (BCS), this year's Indian Riders Festival (IRF) marks the 1256th anniversary of the Indian Motorcycle brand.

Slated for 18-21 June 2026 at Lipno Lake in the Czech Republic, this year the Custom Show is requiring mandatory pre-registration - with only 25 finalists selected by international jury for the five classes.

In a change from prior years, no on-site entries will be accepted. An international jury will select a maximum of five custom motorcycles per class - 25 finalists in total - to compete and be showcased at BCS. 

In honor of the brand's heritage, BCS entries are encouraged (but not required) to celebrate Indian Motorcycle's 125th anniversary. The Budweis Custom Show (BCS) is the only international custom bike show dedicated exclusively to Indian Motorcycle. 

The BCS proudly carries the AMD-approved custom show accolade again for 2026 and promises a creative and inspiring showcase for European custom bike builders and Indian Motorcycle dealers.

The Jury President will be Ola Stenegärd (Director of Product Design, Indian Motorcycle), with Onno Wieringa (renowned international custom show jury member and industry veteran and Official Photographer/AMD World Championship) as Jury Chairman. 

The mandatory pre-registration via the official website at www.budweiscustom.show. Now in its fifth year, BCS is the centerpiece custom competition of the Indian Riders Fest (IRF), celebrating craftsmanship, creativity, and the global Indian Motorcycle community.

BCS is the only custom show in the world that is 100% dedicated to Indian Motorcycle, and there will additionally be a Public Choice Award powered by IRF26. Event updates, schedules, and program details have been published at www.indianridersfest.eu

The five classes this year are: 

• Scout: Open to all Scout models

• Non-Fairing: Open to all models without a fairing

• Touring (incl. Baggers): Open to all touring models, including baggers

• Clubstyle: Also embracing Performance and Streetfighter models

• Custom Paint: Celebrating the very best custom paintwork

H-D Bagger World Cup Arrives in Europe

Gutierrez and Iannone Secure Wins at Mugello Circuit, Italy as H-D Bagger World Cup Arrives in Europe

May 29-31, 2026, Round 2, Mugello Circuit, Borgo San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy. This report is taken from Harley-Davidson's June 2 event weekend and race reports.

The second race weekend of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup marked the start of another spectacular chapter in the inaugural championship season. 

Intense competition, dramatic moments and the passionate Italian fans made Mugello the stage for an unforgettable race weekend that took place together with the Italian Grand Prix of MotoGP.

In the Friday qualifying, Eric Granado (Joe Rascal Racing) secured pole position with a lap time of 1:56.704, setting a new Bagger World Cup lap record for the Mugello circuit. The Brazilian led ahead of his Australian teammate Archie McDonald, who finished second, 0.323 seconds behind. 

The front row of the grid was completed by Andrea Iannone (NitiRacing). The newcomer impressed from the start, securing third place on the grid on his first weekend on the Harley-Davidson Road Glide race machine, just 0.547 seconds off pole position - despite coming to Mugello with very little experience on the machine.

Saturday's opening race was marked by a fierce battle between Spanniard Oscar Gutiérrez (NitiRacing), Eric Granado and Archie McDonald, with the drivers switching positions again and again throughout the race. 

After a clever and considered performance, Gutiérrez beat his competitors in the closing stages to back up his Race 2 win at COTA/Austin, Tx., securing his second win of the season. Granado crossed the finish line in second, while McDonald climbed onto the podium in third. Highly rated Italian Andrea Iannone, making his debut in the championship with NitiRacing, immediately picked up the pace of the leading group and was in contention for a podium finish for much of the race. 

However, two long-lap penalties ultimately relegated the Italian to fourth place, despite his extremely competitive performance, placing ahead of fellow Italian Fillippo Rovelli (ParkinGO Team) in fifth.

Saddlemen Race Development's Jake Lewis, Travis Wyman and Cory West were 6th, 8th and 9th respectively, in a tightly bunched group of four Americans with Cody Wyman (Joe Rascal Racing) 7th.

If race 1 was already intense, race 2 set the bar even higher. Gutiérrez, Granado, McDonald and Iannone quickly formed the leading group and delivered a spectacular fight in the first laps with numerous overtaking manoeuvres and constant changes of position. The race took a dramatic turn when Gutiérrez crashed and Granado and Iannone continued their fight for victory. 

The Brazilian and the Italian repeatedly swapped positions before Iannone finally gained the upper hand, taking the chequered flag first to secure his first victory in his second race in the Bagger World Cup. Granado finished a close second, while McDonald stepped onto the podium for a second third place for the weekend after losing contact with the leading duo in the closing stages.

Filippo Rovelli (ParkinGO Team) also put in a strong performance, securing fourth place in the second race - his best result of the weekend.

With a time of 1:56.804, Iannone set the fastest lap in Race 2, underlining his competitiveness on this debut weekend.

No less impressive was the pace of the Harley-Davidson racing machines throughout the race weekend. Granado recorded the highest speed of the entire event in the first race, reaching 283.4 km/h on the famous main straight of Mugello.

Jake Lewis, the top-ranked rider for Saddlemen Race Development, secured sixth place in both races to maintain fourth place in the championship standings.

Jeffrey Schuessler, Director of Global Racing Programs at Harley-Davidson is quoted as saying that "Austin has shown the potential of this championship and Mugello has confirmed it. 

"We witnessed two races full of overtaking manoeuvres, different winners and drivers who pushed their bikes to the limit from start to finish. The level of competition continues to rise and that is exactly what we wanted to achieve with the Bagger World Cup. 

"The participation of Andrea Iannone brought additional excitement to the already competitive starting field. But what impressed me most was the quality across the entire field. We saw riders from different countries, with different backgrounds and different riding styles, all finding their own way to be fast on these bikes and putting up fantastic battles for the fans. 

"Just as importantly, thousands of spectators enthusiastically embraced the experience we're building around this championship. The Harley-Davidson Village, the open pits, the contact with the riders and the races themselves all contributed to a fabulous atmosphere that makes this championship unique."

The remaining H-D Bagger World Cup Races will be at:

Round 3 - June 26-28 TT Circuit Assen, The Netherlands

Round 4 - August 7-9 Silverstone Circuit, Great Britain

Round 5 - August 28-30 MotorLand Aragón, Spain 

Round 6 - September 18-20 Red Bull Ring, Austria (Championship Finale)

BRL Europe

BRL Europe - Round 1, Cremona, Italy, May 23-24

The four event/eight-race 2026 second season of the Motorcycle Storehouse backed Bagger Racing League European Cup got under way at the popular Cremona Circuit in northern Italy in May.

Fittingly for a series that former WorldSBK and MotoGP racer Ruben Xaus did much to bring into being, it was the Spanniard who took both the race wins to start his season with a double-header on his Ducati Diavel.

It was an intense weekend, marked by hot weather and even hotter battles on the track, further enhanced by an excellent turnout of spectators.  Drawn by the unmistakable style and sound of the Big Inch Baggers they filled the paddock over the two race days.

A solid and determined performance saw Xaus take the win in a spectacular first race after a closely fought battle with Italian Andrea Tomio, second, also on the Ducati Diavel – one of three in the race (Swiss/Italian racer Marco Attanasio brought his home in fifth).

Xaus and Tomio put on an intense duel, establishing themselves from the very first laps as the benchmarks of the weekend, with Xaus taking the 8-lap race win by just 0.201 of a second in 13 minutes and 41.799 seconds. Tomio set the best lap time though in 1:41.726 with a top speed of 133.346 kmph.

Behind them, Antonino Pio Vecchio (Italy) took third, delivering a strong performance on his Indian Challenger despite finishing some 31 seconds behind the second placed Ducati. Dutchman Milan Merckelbagh was fourth with Vittorio Iannuzzo (Italy in sixth, both on Harley Road Kings. It was a disappointing Saturday for two other Harley riders with Japan’s Takeshi and Spain’s Sergio Martinez both forced to retire (DNF) and a A technical issue before the start prevented Italian rider Vittorio Nazzareno Lumina from starting (DNS).

The top 5 in Race-2 on the Sunday was an exact repeat of the Race-1 order but this time Vittorio Nazzareno Lumina, Scooped sixth, ahead of Takeshi and Martinez in seventh and eighth, all three on the Road Kings.

It was a high-impact debut for the Bagger Racing League European Cup, which in Italy confirmed all its potential in terms of show, technical level and public interest. The next round of the BRL Europe championship will take place on the weekend of July 11-12 at the Brno Circuit, in the Czech Republic, alongside the Alpe Adria European Championship.

After which the series moves on to the legendary Nürburgring on 5-6 September before the series concludes at The Circuito de Jerez in Spain on October 31/November 1.

www.baggereurope.com

S&S Cycle

S&S Cycle continues support of H-D engines from 1936 to 2026

S&S says that there has been a lot of talk within the industry of struggles to find replacement and hop-up parts for older Harley-Davidson models. "S&S Cycle has been continuously supporting the vintage world since opening our doors in 1958," says industry veteran VP Marketing Howard Kelly. 

"As a new engine family is released, our engineers get busy building a line of parts to support it, while continuing support of our existing product lines. Uniquely, this cycle has been ongoing at S&S for decades.

"Most people think of us as the leader in 'Proven Performance', which we are, but we do also have a soft spot for keeping the older iron on the road for many more years and miles to come. Our current catalog contains performance and replacement parts for every H-D engine family going back to 1936. 

"With 590 pages of S&S Cycle parts for H-D models from 1936-2026, it is the most complete source for parts in the industry. So, if you need to rebuild an engine, or come across a great deal on an older bike that needs a horsepower boost, you can find help within those 590 pages.

"While much of the world is going digital, we know our dealers and our end-user customers like a printed catalog, so we created one - again. Whether at consumer or dealer shows, when people see a catalog on our display table, they pick it up and ask if they can have it. 

"Usually there is a story about how many of our older catalogs they have at the shop or in their garage and the excitement of a new version is really rewarding for us to see", said Kelly.

"From oil pumps to rocker arms to pistons, cams, cylinders and flywheel assemblies, whatever you need for a rebuild - or a performance upgrade - S&S Cycle is there for your older model H-D customers, all the while having a full line of replacement and hop-up parts for the new M8 series engines as well."

www.sscycle.com/dealer-center/catalog

Zodiac International

Zodiac International - Additions

Rick's Performance Shifter Rods

These German designed and made Performance Shifter Rods by Rick's Motorcycles are a performance and style upgrade to replace the basic and primitive original shift rod. CNC machined from high-quality 6061 aluminum, with a more robust look, yet lighter than the original, they feature specially manufactured ball joint heads in 7075 black anodized aluminum, with ball joint bearings made of high-quality chrome-moly steel. 

"They assure more precise shifting and positioning of the shift lever." They are available as a short version for mid control models (adjustable 109-121 mm) and long version for forward control or floorboard models (adjustable 314-326 mm). 

PM Race Series 4-Piston Radial Mount Calipers

Rigidity is key to obtaining a consistent, crisp braking feel. The new PM Race series radial mount caliper with ARC (Advanced Radiant Cooling) technology is designed to improve braking feel by providing more rigidity and maximum cooling efficiency. 

"With ARC, Performance Machine once again redefines industry standards addressing one of the most critical factors in high-performance braking: heat control. With this breakthrough in piston and caliper design, PM delivers a solution that ensures optimal performance, even under the most demanding conditions." 

These calipers fit stock Harley forks 2000 to present with the use of additionally available radial mount brackets and hardware kits. They also bolt straight onto forks with 108 mm center-to-center radial brake mounting tabs and use spacer bushings between caliper and tab to adapt to the diameter of the disc brake rotor.

Koso D2 Riser Mounted Multifunction Meter

The Koso D2 multifunction meter was developed specifically as a replacement speedo for Street Bob and Breakout 2018-2024, but has been made available for a wide range of models when equipped with the Street Bob style risers. It offers a compact, modern instrument with extensive functionality. With its easy-to-read LCD display, customizable backlight, and multiple integrated indicator lights, it's the perfect choice for riders who value both design and performance. 

Speedometer 0-199 km/h (0-124 MPH), selectable km/h or MPH unit. Odometer up to 999,999 km (miles), trip meters A, B up to 9,999.9 km (miles), manually resettable. Digital tachometer up to 10,000 RPM. Fuel gauge with 10 levels (100%) and low fuel warning: 0-30%. It comes with clock, voltmeter, shift recommendation, oil change interval indication and tire pressure. 

Furthermore, it has warning lights for neutral, turn signal left and right, high beam, oil, fog light, low fuel, battery discharge, cruise control, tire pressure warning and engine check light. Adjustable backlight: brightness (1/5 to 5/5) and choice of colors.

Rear Lift Shock Mount Extension

Get the correct riding stance with this shock extension. It raises the Softail rear end 1.25" (32 mm), measured from the rear axle up. It's easy to install as it replaces the eyelet that installs on the swingarm side of the stock shock. It fits all Softail 2018 to present.

ZODIAC INTERNATIONAL BV

www.zodiac.nl

Mueller Motorcycle

Power Clutch 2 – Up to 50% Reduced Clutch Lever 

Internationally-recognized German clutch management specialist Mueller Motorcycle is offering dealers the opportunity to participate in a novel promotion – one open to dealers who sell their products and anyone who already owns or plans to buy a Müller product through a dealer.

"The premise is simple. Create a video for social media or YouTube explaining the product or talking about what it is and what it can do. The videos can be funny, technical, informative - anything goes, everyone can let their creativity flow.

"Then you just need to tag us in the video and send us the link to video@m-motorcycle.de and that's it!"

The principal highlight of the Mueller range of clutch assist systems is the updated Power Clutch 2. The combination of adjustments to Power Clutch and its additional new progressive action 'Clutch Control' offers "the best possible clutch Performance available," says owner Fabian Müller.

"It means no slipping and no problems when adjusting and delivers a properly separating clutch. This update solves all the clutch control and gearbox management challenges of the M8 models, offering outstanding smoothness and improved performance."

It replaces the OEM part and reduces the required clutch lever force and effort by an average up to 45-50% - "making it easier to adjust and delivering an improved pressure point."

It is suitable for the cable clutch transmission on '21-'26 Touring, '18-'26 Softail, and '21-'25 Trike.

The first-place winner gets € 2,500 in cash, the second-place winner € 1,500, and the third-place winner € 1,000.

Additionally, check-out Mueller’s lowering kit - for up to 40 mm of stepless lowering on M8 and selected EVO and Twin Cam models.

Find out more about the promotion at http://web.m-motorcycle.de/en/ videocontest2026/ - dealers can also share this via their own social media channels.

www.m-motorcycle.de

S&S Cycle

S&S Announces 131 ci Kits for 2017-up M8

This S&S Cycle 131 kit for 2017 and up M8 models "is the perfect sleeper package." Dealers and their customers can boost engine performance with a bolt in kit to "pump up the cubic inches" with a Bore and Stroke of 4.250" x 4.625" and bring compression to 11.0:1 without any machine work for installation.

The cylinder finish matches the stock colors, so unless you install the included 131" badge, no one can tell. All necessary gaskets are included, and the kit retains stock engine height.

With the S&S HPT590 cam the stock 114" horsepower has been seen to go up from 81.07 hp to as much as 146.62 hp with torque from 111.71 to 145.45 ft. lbs with the 131" stroker kit, CNC heads, Big Bore Throttle Body, High-flow Stealth Air Cleaner kit and a 2-into-1 exhaust system.

The kit works with the stock crankcases and original engine serial numbers are retained. The powder coat finish matches the factory finishes - there are three options, for choice of Wrinkle Black with or without highlight and Black Granite with highlight.

S&S CYCLE INC.

www.sscycle.com

News Briefs

Widely touted as a success during its debut in 2025, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum's 'Pearl's Jam' will return on Monday, August 10. "This powerful day celebrates the incredible women of the motorcycle world while honoring the legacy of Pearl Hoel, the First Lady of the Sturgis Rally."

V-Twin Visionary's Route 66 Centennial Ride will celebrate the 100th anniversary of U.S. Route 66, known worldwide as the "Mother Road." Established on November 11, 1926, the 2,448-mile highway from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA. Taking the 'backwards' route. The ride will set off from the Santa Monica pier at 12:00 noon on July 13 and head through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois ending up in Chicago; www.vtwinvisionary.com. 

The MIC reports that tariff changes could reshape the outlook for motorcycle industry. The Trump administration revised its Section 232 tariff structure for steel, aluminum, and copper in a proclamation that took effect April 6, removing certain finished motorcycles from the derivative-product list and excluding those products from Section 232 duties. "This appears to create more favorable treatment for some finished motorcycles, but aftermarket and replacement parts are still likely to be captured at 25%," said Scott Schloegel, Senior VP Government Relations for MIC, ROHVA, and SVIA. 

Called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the MIC says that new battery and packaging laws being enacted state by state could require manufacturers, distributors, and/or dealers to fund and manage recycling programs for products they sell. The policy model behind these laws shifts some end-of-life management costs from governments to producers, and in practice can mean mandatory participation in stewardship organizations, reporting requirements, registration with state agencies, and financial contributions tied to covered products.

Despite making it onto the statute books in some other states, notably in Kansas, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) vetoed the bipartisan-supported Right-to-Race bill that had passed in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate. As elsewhere in the United States, the AMA supported Bill aims to protect existing motorsports racetracks from nuisance claims. It is estimated that the measure would help support the wide variety of racetracks throughout the state that are said to provide $2.46bn in total economic impact as well as provide 10,601 jobs in the state.

The inexorable march of automated-clutch convenience technology sees the Honda E-Clutch extended to the 2026 Transalp - the middleweight adventure becoming the fifth Honda model to come with the tech. (the announcement also includes CRF300L Rally dual-sport model).

New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show outdoor recreation continued to play a significant role in the U.S. economy in 2024, with powersports ranking among the sector's largest activities. According to the agency's latest Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, outdoor recreation generated $1.3tn in economic output in 2024, supporting 5.2 million American jobs and accounting for 2.4% of U.S. gross domestic product. The sector grew 2.7% in real terms (inflation-adjusted) over 2023, reflecting continued demand for outdoor experiences throughout the nation.

The FIM H-D Bagger World Cup got underway at the MotoAmerica race weekend at Austin, Tx. (COTA Circuit) in March - the first (and first ever) of six rounds in 2026. Archie McDonald (Joe Rascal Racing, Australia) claimed victory in Race 1, with Jake Lewis (Saddlemen Race Development) second and Filippo Rovelli (ParkinGO Team, Italy) secured third. Race 2 saw Spaniard Oscar Gutiérrez (Niti Racing, Indonesia) taking the win, ahead of Eric Granadoto (Brazil) second with Archie McDonald demoted to third due to a three-second penalty track limits. Heading into the next round at the Mugello International Circuit during the MotoGP Grand Prix of Italy, May 29-31, Archie McDonald (AUS) heads the standings from Oscar Gutiérrez (SPA), Jake Lewis (USA), Eric Granado (BRA), and Filippo Rovelli (ITA) fifth, Cory West (USA), Travis Wyman (USA), Cody Wyman (USA) and Dimas Ekky Pratama (INA) ninth. 

BRP has announced that it is suspending its full-year FY27 guidance following the effective April 6 amendment of Section 232 tariffs on Steel, Aluminum and Copper imports into the U.S. The amendment mainly leads to a 25% tariff on the total value of imported snowmobiles and the majority of ORV models, replacing the previous 50% tariff on applicable metal content only. The Company currently estimates the potential incremental tariff cost related to this amendment to be in excess of $500m for the remainder of the year, before any mitigation measures that could partially offset these impacts.