Wednesday, 8 April 2026

Biker Fest International

40th Biker Fest International - Europe’s largest motorcycle rally

May 14 to 17, 2026, Lignano Sabbiadoro (Udine - Italy)


Following the extraordinary success of the 2025 show, which recorded 265,000 attendees over the course of the weekend, Biker Fest International once again confirms its status as the biggest motorcycle rally in Europe and the third largest event of this kind in the world - after the legendary U.S. rallies of Sturgis and Daytona. 




In 2026 the event, which attracts hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts and more than 350 international exhibitors, will reach a special milestone with its 40th anniversary.

Founded in 1987 within the biker movement, the event has gradually expanded to embrace the world of two wheels in all its forms, while maintaining a strong connection to its rebellious roots in the custom culture. 


The beating heart of the festival is its Custom Bike Show, one of the longest running in Europe. Since its inception it has anticipated customization trends by showcasing some of the most spectacular special bikes built by leading international customizers. 

As the only Italian AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building Approved Cuatom Bike Show, the Lignano round also serves as the final of Italy’s national championship for custom builders - the Italian Motorcycle Championship (IMC).


Alongside the well-established rock music program, all the areas that have made BFI unique will be staged again – these include Europe’s largest and most comprehensive Demo Ride hub, featuring the official participation of leading motorcycle manufacturers; the e-Mobility Village, dedicated to new mobility solutions; the Off Road area with its spectacular dirt riding shows; and the Market Area.

Among the main new features already announced for this special anniversary are the Sisterhood Run, an on-the-road experience dedicated to female riders, and the Customizer’s Parade, in which custom builders themselves will lead the much-anticipated Saturday Night Fever, riding their one-off creations. 

www.bikerfest.it

News Briefs



The Falls Church, VA based National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA) conducted a special election to expand its Board of Directors. As NPDA membership increased past 400 members, the bylaws called for more dealer representation, so new officers have been selected. Elway Powersports Group CEO Michael Maledon has joined NPDA's Board, and following a special election, Bob Eggstein, dealer principal of Keystone Harley-Davidson in Whitehall, PA, has joined the association's leadership team; www.npda.org


 In the United States the Congressional Budget Office recently projected that the U.S. government will spend $1tn on interest payments for its debt in 2026. It also projected that the U.S. government will spend $1.853tn more than it brings in through revenue this year (the budget deficit) and have an even wider gap in 2027. U.S. government debt has increased from $13.7tn in 2010 to more than $38.tn as of February 2026.


Founded in 2019 and winner of the Silver Bar & Shield award for 2024, Diamondback Harley-Davidson in Lawton, Oklahoma (Willy Sullivan) has received Harley's 2025 Platinum Bar & Shield Award for exceptional service - a recognition given to the top five Harley dealerships in the nation.


Italian conglomerate and TVS Motor Company - owner of Norton Motorcycles since 2020 - has passed Yamaha to become world's third-largest motorcycle manufacturer by annual unit volume. TVS sold approximately 5.46 million motorcycles and scooters in 2025, a 20.7% increase from 4.52 million units the previous year. Yamaha recorded roughly 5 million units, up just 0.8% year over year. The change marks one of the most notable reshuffles in the global motorcycle industry in recent years. Honda, meanwhile, retained its dominant position with 16.44 million units sold globally in 2025, while Hero MotoCorp remained second with 6.25 million units.


For the second consecutive year, Turn14 Distribution will return as the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (VMD) - running July 24-26 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Last year's event drew tens of thousands of riders, collectors, and enthusiasts, with AMA calling it "the best weekend in American motorcycling." 


In Europe, FEMA says that "technical inspections for motorcycles are a solution looking for a problem", claiming that the EU's effort to expand mandatory Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI) to all motorcycles is not backed up by the claim that 'testing improves safety'. FEMA's Wim Taal says that "the evidence does not support that claim".


The industry is mourning the passing of George Barber, founder of Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, who died at age 85. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and industry icon's name is synonymous with motorcycle preservation and heritage, having built what is widely recognized as the world's largest collection of historic motorcycles. His museum, located in Birmingham, Alabama, houses more than 1,800 motorcycles spanning more than a century of two-wheel history. Barber's passion for motorsports began with sports car racing in the 1960s, where he raced and maintained his own Porsche competition cars. The museum moved to its present home - an 830-acre complex that also includes the 2.38-mile Barber Motorsports Park road circuit - in 2003.


More than just an event, Wheels and Waves (Biarritz, FR) "has established itself as a true cultural movement. For over a decade, we've stood at the crossroads of disciplines motorcycle, surf, skate, art, and music blending them with boldness and sincerity." The 15th W&W Festival will be staged from June 10 to 14, 2026.


The AMA has congratulated Champions, Special Award and AMA No. 1 plate winners from the 2026 AMA Ice Race Grand Championship. Three outstanding racers excelled during a weekend of competition in Michigan. Hosted by Team SDI Racing, a chartered AMA and AMA District 14 club, the event was staged at the Leisure Lake Family Campground in Sumner, Mich. The three racers were honored with special awards were AMA Ice Racer of the Year Lance Richards of Bentley, Mich., Odin Music of Flint, Mich. earned the AMA Youth Ice Racer of the Year award after claiming championships in the 65 cc, 85cc and Schoolboy Junior classes, and the AMA Vet/Senior Ice Racer of the Year award was taken home was Kyle Johnson from Muskegon, Mich., whose victories in the 450 cc A, 450 cc Open and Vet (30+) classes "set him above the rest."

Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited NVP

Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited NVP Product Expo  Part II

Louisville, KY, January 24-25, 2026



Cobra Engineering: The ongoing success of Cobra's Gen II 'Neighbour Haters' proves that there is still demand for performance that "sounds as good as it looks," says Sales Director Camron Bussard. "We offer dealers quality and performance at a price-point normally associated with low grade slip-ons, plus they are 50-state legal. Designed and manufactured at our Yorba Linda, Ca. they are available as 4.5" 'Upper Cut' slip-ons in black, or 'Round' in choice of chrome or black for '17-and up M8 Baggers." Each system uses single-piece heat shields on the head pipes and is finished off with a machined aluminum tip. They are also available for '95-'16 Twin Cams; www.cobrausa-vtwin.com



LeMans Growth Academy: There have been many attempts to formalize and structure 'dealer training' down the years. Some have worked, some not, but all have shared the worthy goal of helping dalers to improve their P&A/G&A/S&P product sales, one way or another. After a successful Beta test in 2025, LeMans is now rolling out its LeMans Growth Academy as a new, free training resource. Designed exclusively for Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties dealers to enhance business performance and product knowledge (and accessible to authorized as well as independent aftermarket dealers), it provides specialized training modules to support, grow, and improve dealership operations; www.dragspecialties.com



Cycle Electric: The Brookville, Ohio based specialist manufactures "high quality American made charging systems for use on Harley Davison and other American made V Twin motorcycles. We manufacture all of our generators, regulators, rectifying regulators and stators in our own facility - this is the only way to control quality. We purchase our rotors from Harley Davidson. We offer 46 complete charging systems to cover from 1936 to present day that are designed to deliver better-output and increased durability; www.cycleelectric.com



Belt Drives Ltd: The Californian manufacturer continues to set the standards in the Belt Drives market - recent additions include a new 8 mm, 138 tooth primary drive belt which is a direct replacement for the popular and often hard to find 138-1 3/4 factory belt. The latest BDL belts feature a performance aramid fiber composition "for the ultimate in durability, strength and longevity"; www.beltdrives.com



Coastal Moto
: Owner and Founder Jason Spiller told AMD that "our Road Glide and Street Glide wheels go all the way from stock up to 30-inch. Our most popular size is the 21-inch front wheel. It works with the stock fender, and we also offer all of our custom wheels in wheel and tire packages as well. We can ship with tires and rotors mounted and balanced and ready to install - a dealer's dream!"; www.coastalmoto.com


Dynojet/Dynatek: The North Las Vegas based manufacturer is now embarking on the second year of its multi-year deal as title sponsor of the H-D Factory Race Team for the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers Championship. "Beyond branding, the partnership focuses on performance development for the team's Screamin' Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 131 Performance Crate Engined Road Glides." Dynojet has been the authority in V-twin fuel tuning since 1973 and now with our extensive line of jet kits and fuel tuners any V-twin Motorcycle from Harley-Davidson to Indian Motorcycles can benefit from the power of Dynojet"; www.dynojet.com


Harley-Davidson

New Chrome Options 


Harley-Davidson has revealed three additions to its 2026 motorcycle line – a new solo trim option for the Road Glide model and a new chrome trim option for the Road Glide 3 trike and Low Rider S performance cruiser.

The chrome trim option for the Road Glide 3 and Low Rider S models is a direct response to increasing customer preference migrating from dark to bright chrome finishes, a recent style trend seen globally. The chrome option features brilliant chrome on the powertrain and exhaust and other trim details, and bright machined details on the cast aluminum wheels.

"Big attitude and West Coast style define the Low Rider S model; a performance cruiser designed for the rider who wants hot rod power and aggressive style. From its adjustable suspension to the Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output engine equipped with the Heavy Breather intake and performance-tuned 2-into-1 exhaust, this motorcycle is built to dominate the road. With the chrome trim option, the Low Rider S model has an MSRP starting at $18,999.

"With a hot rod attitude and three-wheel stance, the 2026 Road Glide 3 model introduces new performance and design features, including all-new smooth-riding rear suspension, muscular Milwaukee-Eight VVT 117 engine power, an aerodynamic fairing with all-LED lighting, touchscreen infotainment powered by Skyline OS and selectable Ride Modes. With the chrome trim option, the Road Glide 3 model has an MSRP starting at $35,799.

"For riders that prefer a lone wolf attitude, the Road Glide model solo option replaces the standard two-up touring seat with a slammed custom Low Profile Solo Touring Seat that combines street-rod style with a comfort insert for long-haul support. The Road Glide model remains the go-to bagger for performance customization. Its aerodynamic Road Glide 'sharknose' fairing coupled with the formidable Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine invites riders to push the limits of performance. The solo seat option is available in Dark Billiard Gray paint with chrome trim, with MSRP starting at $25,999 (available only in North America).

Still no news about the promised 'price-point' $6k low displacement (350/400/450 cc?) Sprint single and $10k entry-level cruiser – but hey, that's okay - these new finish options have 'Magic Chrome' and that will get ya home. Alchemy is cheaper than engineering. 

Harley-Davidson Homecoming

Harley Cancels Homecoming Festival


In the latest evidence of renewal at Harley-Davidson, the MoCo has announced that effective 2026 it is ending its annual Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee - after three years - and will revert to a milestone-anniversary event strategy instead.



The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the news in early March with the previously announced Homecoming dates of July 9-12, 2026, now canceled.

Harley will return to hosting large-scale hometown celebrations every five years, tied to major anniversaries. The next major event is expected in 2028, when Harley-Davidson marks its 125th anniversary.

The annual Homecoming festival debuted in 2023 for the 120th anniversary, drawing more than 80,000 attendees to Veterans Park concerts headlined by Green Day and Foo Fighters. 

Attendance dropped to just over 60,000 in 2024, when Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jelly Roll led the lineup. The 2025 event also faced weather challenges, with storms forcing the cancellation of opening-night headliner Hank Williams Jr. About 40,000 attendees returned the following night for a concert headlined by Chris Stapleton.

This latest strategic shift comes after new CEO Artie Starrs replaced Jochen Zeitz as CEO in October and has started to unwind his predecessors failed rewind. 

Harley-Davidson reported a profit of $339m in 2025, a 26% decline from the previous year. From $5.3bn in 2016, HD revenue from motorcycle operations had declined to $3.6bn in 2025. Over the same timescale Harley’s market capitalisation (HOG) had shrunk from $8.35bn in 2016 to $2.46bn by the end of 2025. Harley lost its much-vaunted place on the S&P 500 index in June 22, 2020.


Klock Werks

Klock Werks Releases a Flare Windshield for the Memphis Shades Road Warrior Fairing


Klock Werks (Mitchell, SD) has announced a Flare Windshield fitment for the popular Memphis Shades Road Warrior Fairing - "answering a decade of rider requests at rallies nationwide," said CEO Brian Klock. The initial release will include 15" vented Dark Smoke and Clear options along with the Ice and Kolor versions.

"We kept track of customer requests, and the definitive winner was the 15" height with a vent. Our efforts were focused on what was most sexy and functional, as always. I am proud of my team for pushing me outside my comfort zone as customers spoke up. 


"The engineering team provided a quick turnaround after testing, and the result is a win for consumer demand which is good for riders who have the Road Warrior, a win for our dealers and another check in the box as our Flare program continues to grow in popularity," said Brian.


This newest Flare Windshield fitment for the Road Warrior will have made its debut at Daytona Bike week in March through J&P Cycles and Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson. The product will be distributed globally through Klock's long-standing partners at Drag Specialties, Parts Canada, and Parts Europe. This addition to the range will also be available in Japan via Harley Custom World in Japan and in Australia through Rollie's Speed Shop.


KLOCK WERKS

www.getklocked.com