The 2026 Indian Riders Fest announced the 5th anniversary edition of the Budweis Indian Motorcycle Custom Show (BCS), taking place during the legendary Indian Riders Fest 2026 from June 18-21 at Lipno Lake, Czech Republic. Pre-registration is mandatory for all entrants; no on-site entries will be accepted. An international jury will select a maximum of five custom motorcycles per class - 25 finalists 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) - the only international custom bike show dedicated exclusively to Indian Motorcycle - proudly carries the AMD-approved custom show accolade for 2026 and promises a "creative and inspiring showcase by European custom bike builders and Indian Motorcycle dealers."
LeMans Chairman Paul Langley and legendary Bonneville streamliner racer Denis Manning have been named among the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame Inductees. Legendary customizer Dave Perewitz receives a Lifetime Achievement award and John Andrews receives the posthumous 'Kickstands Down Award' for his lifetime as a pioneering engineer and founder of cams and gear innovator Andrews Products; www.sturgismuseum.com
Human rights groups have reported that among the fatalities in the Iranian regime's January crack down on protests was a teenager called Duana Bahador. Known as Iran's 'Baby Rider' the motorbike influencer was shot dead by security forces. The 19-year-old had built a strong following in Iran and elsewhere and, among other efforts to enjoy her young life, is known to have posted videos of herself online without a headscarf. Doing God's will?
Europe's largest motorcycle rally, the (40th) annual Biker Fest International (an AMD Approved Custom Bike Show event) will be staged at its traditional Lignano Sabbiadoro (Udine, Italy) seaside resort from May 14 to 17. Last year recorded a massive 265,000 attendee count over the course of the weekend - making it not only the biggest motorcycle rally in Europe, but also the third largest event of this kind in the world - only after the legendary U.S. rallies of Sturgis and Daytona; www.bikerfest.it
SEMA and PRI announced that they were mourning the loss of Founder and Industry Icon Ed 'Isky' Iskenderian - an industry titan and legendary engine builder - known globally as "The Camfather" and the first President (a role equivalent to today's Chairman) of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). He has passed away at the age of 104 and was the last surviving founding member of the group that established SEMA in 1963. At its inception, SEMA was an all-volunteer organization; Iskenderian and his fellow founders took on the task of organizing the industry in addition to running their own burgeoning businesses. "This selfless dedication transformed a hobby into a professional, $52bn global industry."
Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) announced a two percent increase in its regular quarterly cash dividend, raising the payout to $0.68 per share. This increase represents the 31st consecutive year of Polaris increasing its dividend effective with the 2026 first quarter dividend. The first quarter dividend will be payable on March 16, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2026.
On the move again! INTERMOT, The German motorcycle industry show staged at Cologne for the IVM (the motorcycle industry trade association in Germany) has announced another change of date. Having decided to move from September to December and from biennial to annual, effective 2027 the show will take place in February each year (February 12-14 in 2027). For several years INTERMOT served as the host event for The AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. It's a shame that Koelnmesse didn't take that exact same advice seriously - about timing and frequency - when we here at AMD first offered it to them in 2011. The second weekend of February has always been an open date and in European terms an ideal mainstream market 'season starter'; www.intermot-cologne.com
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com
