Coronavirus has completely decimated this year’s prospects for any motorcycle shows – and for good reason. The dominos have been falling one-by-one as PR teams scramble to assemble and present the news that their shows will be cancelled this year, often followed by a big ol’ question mark when it comes to how 2021’s events will play out as well.
Revival Handbuilt 2019 Event
Revival’s Handbuilt motorcycle show is an amazing place where custom motorcycle builders come together and present their newest projects. In 2019, Revival showcased over 130 beautifully custom-built bikes and builders to the Austin, TX audience.
You can probably assume where I’m taking this so I’ll jump right into it. The show’s cancelled, folks.
The show was initially scheduled for the 13th to 15th of November this year, but due to safety concerns regarding the pandemic, the show has been outright cancelled.
Typically at a regular motorcycle show, you will see some manufacturers showcasing their new and updated production models, companies touting their new gear technology etc. But at The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show, we’re looking at ground zero of what makes the motorcycle community so special; crazy rides that individuals poured their heart and souls into over hundreds of hours to provide unbelievably unique motorcycles we can all appreciate. No two bikes are the same here, and that is what makes it such a great event.
Good news, though. If you bought a ticket for this year’s event you can use it at the 2021 show (thank god) that is scheduled for April 16-19 at the Austin-American Statesman building located in Austin Texas.
Here’s a little video the Revival channel put out to give you a sense of what we’re missing this year. But keep your heads held high, champions, they were nice enough to schedule the 2021 event for early next year so we don’t have to wait 365 calendar days to catch the next one. See you there.
DGR operations manager Ramsey Sayed says it will still go ahead on 27 September 2020 around the globe, but as a “ride solo, together” event.
“Riders around the world will be encouraged to dapper up and either hop on their bikes if they’re able to, or snap a shot of them with their classic and vintage styled motorcycle and join us online,” he says.
In the absence of formally organised rides, participants are asked to register online, fundraise for Movember, dress-up, and ride as individuals and/or with a pillion.
While it could conceivably have gone ahead in some countries such as Australia, it would not be possible to conduct the event in the usual manner in many other countries as they still have stringent lockdowns in place.
Virtual DGR
“The focus for this year will be to connect riders from all around the world, despite their COVID-19 social distancing restrictions,” Ramsey says.
“We want riders to know that we may be socially distanced, but we can still be connected digitally. It definitely came at a difficult time.
“We not only need to take people’s local lockdown restrictions into consideration, but we also needed to consider how riders and hosts have been financially affected in losing jobs and security, and how this may have impacted their lives. It’s a three-degrees of separation thing, some hosts either had COVID-19, or knew someone who did, and even have family members who lost their lives because of it. We wanted to be sensitive to those who spend countless hours volunteering to run their ride, who may not be able to get involved.
“The main thing we’d want people to be aware of here is that we know that some areas of the world might be opened up by the time DGR hits in 2020, but DGR isn’t only a local event – it’s a global movement – and when we have so many folks who are integral in running their rides who have been heavily impacted by this, we need to look out for each other.”
Many DGR fans may not like the virtual DGR idea but it will be a real test of the commitment of participants and whether they are doing it for the benefit of others and in the spirit of the event, or just for pleasure.
Movember funds
Meanwhile, Movember has released the $A1.15 million DGR-funded Social Connections Challenge to provide grants for new programs helping the mental and physical health of men in motorcycling.
Movember and DGR are looking for ideas that:
Cast a wider net to engage socially isolated men and strengthen social connections;
Leverage opportunities to engage hard-to-reach men;
Strengthen peer-to-peer support;
Improve knowledge about mental health and suicide prevention; and
Create opportunities for role modelling and mentorship.
Meanwhile, the biennial Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne in October has been cancelled.
It will be replaced by a virtual event before the end of the year with the event not scheduled to return again until 2022.
There is no word yet on the fate of the annual EICMA motorcycle show in Milan in November.
Sturgis goes ahead
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
While the pandemic has forced events, races and shows to go virtual, the world’s biggest motorcycle rally will go ahead in real life.
The Sturgis City Council has voted to go ahead with the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally from August 7-16.
The event may not draw the usual hundreds of thousands f spectators this year and it will not include the usual parade, opening ceremony and B-1 bomber flyover.
Vendors will be required to wear personal protective equipment.
Mass testing is being considered for the safety of residents, but has not been approved.
The biennial Intermot and annual EICMA motorcycle shows in October and November appear to be in jeopardy with BMW Motorrad the first to declare they will not attend.
The shows in Cologne and Milan are the biggest in the world and are the showcase for manufacturers around the world to debut their new models.
Despite being more than seven months away, BMW Motorrad has issued a statement saying they won’t attend.
It follows their recent decision to halt manufacturing at its Spandau factory in Berlin and their G 310 production in India for two weeks. They are expected to return to production next week.
BMW Motorrad factory in Spandau, Berlin
BMW’s decision not to attend the motorcycle shows several months from now is significant as BMW uses these major shows to launch all their next-year models.
Their withdrawal could be the first of many companies to do the same.
Here is the official statement:
Due to the hardly foreseeable development of the corona pandemic and its effects, BMW Motorrad will not be participating in the two leading motorcycle shows Intermot in Cologne in October and EICMA in Milan in November in 2020.
This decision was made in order to counteract current planning uncertainty at an early stage, also for all our partners involved in BMW Motorrad motorshow appearances, in the interests of the greatest possible security, predictability and transparency.
BMW Motorrad will present the world premieres and product highlights planned for these motorcycle shows on alternative platforms in autumn 2020. In doing so, the company will increasingly rely on its own formats and digital communication channels.
However, they now tell us it has been postponed and to “stay tuned”.
We have published several photos of the various models configurations as shown below and will update you with the production model when it is released.
Virtual shows
It follows recent motorcycle show closures in Japan, forcing companies such as Suzuki and Honda to stage “virtual” exhibits and launches.
Cherry red Katana virtual launch
Honda CB-F virtual launch
Yet, the organisers of the world’s biggest motorcycle rally in the world at Sturgis are still confident it will go ahead as planned in August.
The NSW country town of Walcha is putting on a special show for those who are still planning to ride there despite the last-minute axing of the Freak Show Festival of Motorcycles and national Harley Owners Group (HOG) rally.
Organisers for the axed events have gone into liquidation and refunds are not yet guaranteed for those who have paid for tickets and accommodation for the November 15-17 event.
However, we have spoken to MBW readers, a couple of HOG groups and other riders who say still intend to ride to Walcha for the weekend, even if just to ride the magnificent Oxley Highway.
Phoenix Rising
So the town has ensured there is something to them to do when they get there. They are calling their impromptu event “The Rising of the Phoenix”.
Walcha Royal Cafe owner Toni Keable says they had already organised entertainment for the weekend so that would simply to go ahead.
Toni and Brad Keable of the Royal Cafe, Walcha
On top of that, a host of other events across the weekend have now been planned, she says.
“We’ve had a meeting of council, the Mayor and the business houses in the town to confirm that the event will go ahead as ‘The Rising of the Phoenix’,” Toni says.
“People can be assured that this weekend will definitely go ahead.
“The overall feeling in town was disappointment that such a thing (cancellation) could happen this close to the event.
“But we’ve put all that behind us now and we’re just happy to have this many fabulous motorcyclists rolling into Walcha.
“Everyone is positive and we’re not going to let this opportunity to showcase the town slip through our fingers.”
Freak Show Festival organiser David Rollins sent us this formal statement:
The organisers of the Freak Show Festival of motorcycles regret to inform that the event has been forced into voluntary liquidation due to difficulties maintaining ongoing support from sponsors
The organisers are personally and financially devastated by this outcome, having poured considerable money into the event as well as time.
A liquidator has been appointed. All ticketing and trade enquires should be addressed to Wexted Pty Ltd, Level 12, 28 O’Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000. E: [email protected]
He says there is “not much I can add to it for legal reasons”.
More than 1000 tickets had been sold and they claimed they were expecting about 5000 to attend.
HOG rally also cancelled
HOG rally axed
The associated HOG Rally has also been cancelled.
Harley-Davidson Australia issued this statement:
Harley-Davidson Australia has been informed that Inside Line Events, event organizer for the “Freakshow of Motorcycling”, is in voluntary liquidation and will cancel the rally. The event was scheduled for November 15-17, 2019 in Walcha, NSW.
As a key sponsor of the event, Harley-Davidson Australia is extremely disappointed with this outcome. We are committed to delivering the very best experience for our H.O.G members and we’re focused on delivering an alternative event in 2020,” Keith Waddell, Marketing Manager for Harley-Davidson Australia, commented.
We are working with the event organizer on the refund process.
H-D will be looking to arrange an alternative in the coming year.
The loss of the HOG national rally will be difficult for members to take as the last was held in 2015 at Tamworth.
It was followed by open Harley Days rallies at Wollongong in 2016 and 2017 which did not impress HOG members unhappy with the open format.
There was no 2018 national rally.
Freak show
The Freak Show Festival was to include a flat track, a dirt hill climb, custom motorcycles, the Globe of Death, wheelies, stoppies and burnouts, a ride-in cinema playing motorcycle-themed movies, live music and food and beverages.
It was scheduled for one weekend after the Australian Motorcycle Festival (formerly the Sydney Moto Expo) in Wollongong from November 8-10.
The show and rally were also sponsored by NSW Tourism Department who expected it to deliver more than $1.7 million in visitor expenditure to the region.
Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes had said the town was “100% behind the Freak Show Festival of Motorcycles”.
The organisers of theFreak Show Festival of Motorcycles to run alongside the national Harley Owners Group (HOG) rally in Walcha, NSW, have gone into liquidation and the events cancelled.
We are yet to learn if refunds are guaranteed for those who have paid for tickets and accommodation for the event scheduled from November 15-17, 2019.
Freak Show Festival organiser David Rollins sent us this formal statement:
The organisers of the Freak Show Festival of motorcycles regret to inform that the event has been forced into voluntary liquidation due to difficulties maintaining ongoing support from sponsors
The organisers are personally and financially devastated by this outcome, having poured considerable money into the event as well as time.
A liquidator has been appointed. All ticketing and trade enquires should be addressed to Wexted Pty Ltd, Level 12, 28 O’Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000. E: [email protected]
He says there is “not much I can add to it for legal reasons”.
More than 1000 tickets had been sold and they claimed they were expecting about 5000 to attend.
HOG rally also cancelled
HOG rally axed
The associated HOG Rally has also been cancelled.
Harley-Davidson Australia issued this statement:
Harley-Davidson Australia has been informed that Inside Line Events, event organizer for the “Freakshow of Motorcycling”, is in voluntary liquidation and will cancel the rally. The event was scheduled for November 15-17, 2019 in Walcha, NSW.
As a key sponsor of the event, Harley-Davidson Australia is extremely disappointed with this outcome. We are committed to delivering the very best experience for our H.O.G members and we’re focused on delivering an alternative event in 2020,” Keith Waddell, Marketing Manager for Harley-Davidson Australia, commented.
We are working with the event organizer on the refund process.
H-D will be looking to arrange an alternative in the coming year.
The loss of the HOG national rally will be difficult for members to take as the last was held in 2015 at Tamworth.
It was followed by open Harley Days rallies at Wollongong in 2016 and 2017 which did not impress HOG members unhappy with the open format.
There was no 2018 national rally.
Freak show
The Freak Show Festival was to include a flat track, a dirt hill climb, custom motorcycles, the Globe of Death, wheelies, stoppies and burnouts, a ride-in cinema playing motorcycle-themed movies, live music and food and beverages.
It was scheduled for one weekend after the Australian Motorcycle Festival (formerly the Sydney Moto Expo) in Wollongong from November 8-10.
The show and rally were also sponsored by NSW Tourism Department who expected it to deliver more than $1.7 million in visitor expenditure to the region.
Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes had said the town was “100% behind the Freak Show Festival of Motorcycles”.
It’s motorcycle show season with a host of new 2020 models soon to be revealed at the biggest motorcycle show on the planet, EICMA, in Milan in November and the Tokyo Motor Show starting Thursday (20 October 2019).
We expect the usual new models, updates, concepts and, of course, a host of electric motorcycles and scooters.
However, Ducati, Kawasaki and Honda will jump the queue with unveilings on Wednesday ahead of show season.
2020 bikes
Here’s our rundown on what to expect at the shows for 2020:
Ducati
Ducati Streetfighter V4
We are kickstarting with Ducati who will steal the show on Wednesday night (23 October 2019) when it reveals its 2020 models including seven new models.
Their big-ticket item is the 208hp Streetfighter V4weighing in at just 178kg dry. There may also be a Multistrada with the V4 engine.
Two other models we’ve heard of are the Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour and a blacked-out Scrambler Icon Dark.
We may also see an updated Panigale 959.
Kawasaki
2020 Kawasaki Z-H2
On the same day, Kawasaki will unveil their naked supercharged Z H2. It will be interesting to see if it has the same power as the H2 or whether it is “retuned”.
The Ninja 400 engine is expected to be added to the baby Versys, we could see a W800 scrambler version and there could be updates to the Ninja 650 and Ninja 1000.
Rather than a new model, the big news could be confirmation of the rumours that the big green machine has gobbled up Italian icon, Bimota, for which it has historically supplied engines.
Honda
2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
Honda will also show its 2020 fleet on Wednesday, including the already revealed Honda CRF1100 Africa Twin.
Their big news will be the new CBR1000RR with a host of electronics to be competitive in the 2020 World Superbikes series.
Honda usually has some interesting concepts and the rest may just be updates of existing production models.
Triumph
Thruxton TFC
The British invasion will include a Thruxton RS to bridge the gap between the ‘R’ and the ‘TFC’ and we expect a Bobber version to join their exotic TFC range.
BMW
The Bavarian promises six new models highlighted by the reveal of the production version of their first cruiser in 15 years, the 1800cc boxer-powered R 18 (spy photos at the top of this page and below).
BMW R 18 spy photo
We also expect to see the F 850 RS based on the Concept 9cento, an updated S 1000 XR sport tourer, the new S 1000 R streetfighter and perhaps more R nineT versions.
BMW 9cento
KTM
The Austrian manufacturer has been defying the sales slump with some clever new models in recent years and should continue the trend.
We expect a new 1290 Super Duke R with winglets as this teaser video suggests.
KTM is tipped to announce a range of entry-level 490cc twin-cylinder motorcycles, a range of 890cc models and a 790 Supermoto.
Perhaps we’ll see yet more limited-edition models such as the Brutale 1000 Serie Oro to challenge Ducati Streetfighter V4 in a horsepower brawl.
RMK
RMK E2
This Finnish motorcycle company will unveil an electric motorcycle with up to 300km of range and a hub-less rear wheel housing the motor.
Suzuki
After years of teasing, we expect to see a turbo model, perhaps even a turbo Hayabusa or Katana, but probably more likely something in the mid-range engine capacity.
There will also be updates for the V-Strom 1000, new colours, new graphics and maybe a concept or two, probably electric.
Some have suggested a smaller version of the recently released Katana.
Indian
2020 Indian Challenger
The American company is expected to unveil its Challenger bagger believed to be powered by a liquid-cooled 1770cc engine called the Powerplus.
Yamaha
The R1 and R1M will have an update and we should see at least one new variant of the popular MT range.
Moto Morini
2020 Moto Morini adventure bike
The Italian manufacturer has hinted at an adventure bike with unknown engine capacity.
Moto Guzzi
The popular V85 TT adventure bike and V7 could be joined by more variants.
The Laverda Concours is the biggest and best motorcycle show in Queensland and one of the biggest in the nation. The concours gets its name from Club Laverda Queensland who began the show in 1982 with the Ducati Owners Club who later pulled out.
It will be held this year on Sunday, July 21, at the Redland Showgrounds.
Honda CB750 display
About 30 Honda CB750 models will on display to celebrate the bike’s 50th anniversary.
Honda 750/4 Club spokesman John McNair says their display will include race bikes, some with Rickman kits and a racing outfit.
“Some will be in their original unrestored condition and some will be pristine restored bikes,” John says.
“We will have several from among the first 50 sold in the country, including sandcast and even a diecast model worth up to about $30,000.”
Free concours entry
The Laverda Concours gate price for spectators remains at $10 for over 15s with free on-site motorcycle parking.
However, Concours event manager Bryan Horn says they have removed the $10 fee to enter your motorcycle in the concours.
“That’s big news and should equate to more bikes in the paddock,” he says.
“We want to focus on enthusiast clubs this year.
“Not only will the Hondas 750/4 Club have a display but there will be a special trophy supplied by Oliver’s Motorcycles for the best Triumph Bonneville to mark its 60th anniversary.
“I’ve also had a call from an historic motorcycle club member in Rockhampton who says he is bringing his 1959 model,” Bryan says.
“We are keen to highlight the vibrant enthusiast motorcycle club community here in the great South East.”
Concours details
The Concours starts from 6am with some 60 trophies available and $2000 for the best machine of the day.
Motorcycles, scooters, trikes, etc entered for judging must be in running order.
The event is alcohol free and raises funds for Make-a-Wish Australia. Over the past 15 years the club has donated more than $92,000 to the charity.
There will also be trade stalls, entertainment plus food vendors and children’s rides. However, there will be no dyno this year.
Riders will be spoilt for choice this November as two major motorcycle events compete in NSW and the Melbourne Moto Expo returns.
The events will be run over three consecutive weekends, stretching the motorcycle industry resources.
Meanwhile, other states are missing out altogether.
Competing events
Moto Expo
The biannual Moto Expo has been held in Sydney and Melbourne for the past few years and even included Brisbane in 2014.
This year the Sydney Moto Expo, which is owned by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, will become the Australian Motorcycle Festival and move from Sydney to Wollongong from November 8-10. The Melbourne Moto Expo will also return to Melbourne Showgrounds on November 23-25.
These events are run by Troy Bayliss Events which the three-time World Superbike champestablished after retiring 11 years ago.
Some motorcycle companies have complained about the expense of displaying at the biannual Moto Expos, resulting in some brands being absent.
Consequently, the organisers have now chosen to change the NSW event from a Moto Expo to the Australian Motorcycle Festival and move to Wollongong where Harley-Davidson Australia held two Harley Days festivals in 2016 and ’17.
While NSW and Victoria get a wealth of shows and festivals, other states are missing out.
A Troy Bayliss Events spokesman says they continue to talk with manufacturers about a major motorcycle show returning to Brisbane.
“At this point we don’t have enough manufacturers willing to support more than one major exhibition each year,” he says.
“We would love to come back to Queensland soon.”
Inaugural festivals
Stunt displays
The inaugural Australian Motorcycle Festival will be held at Wollongong’s Lang Park on November 8-10 and include Round 3 of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship.
Instead of just motorcycle displays, the event will feature test rides, motorcycle demonstrations and stunt riding.
Similarly, the inaugural Freak Show of Motorcycles, which will be hosted in the same town as the HOG rally, will feature hillclimb, custom show, flat-track exhibition racing, stalls, music, outdoor cinema, trade show, globe of death, donuts and burnouts in a closed-off arena.
The Troy Bayliss Events spokesman says they are “glad we haven’t clashed on the same weekend as the HOG Rally”.
“We had actually discussed dates very early on to ensure we didn’t clash with HOG Rally, along with numerous other manufacturers so we did not clash with events such as Snowy Ride, ASBK and other events taking place in November and October,” he says.
“It’s great to see so many motorcycle events in Australia, hopefully more major motorcycle events are taken to the wider community to promote the motorcycle Industry in positives ways.”
Each year around the first weekend in May, the Quail Lodge & Golf Club hosts the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, featuring unique vintage, antique, and custom motorcycles. In the same spirit as their Quail Motorsports gathering, a car show that takes place during Monterey Car Week, the Motorcycle Gathering feels like a higher-end setting, with mostly pristine examples of classic motorcycles displayed on the golf greens. The show hosted more than 3,000 attendees throughout the day, who enjoyed over 350 bikes on display as well as a catered lunch featuring some of the local area’s best-tasting fare.
Aside from their traditional classes, the Quail had four featured classes: the 50th Anniversary of the Honda CB750, Off-Road Wonders Through the ’90s, the 100th Anniversary of the Brough Superior, and the Spirit of the Scrambler Presented by Ducati. In addition to classic and custom bikes, a handful of current motorcycles were available to view and try out, including Ducati Scrambler test rides, a variety of Harley-Davidson test rides, as well as an augmented reality display with the new LiveWire. Here we feature a few of our favorite bikes and people from the show.
The Outlier’s Guild Custom Motorcycle Show was a success in its third year in downtown Los Angeles, drawing large crowds of motorcycle enthusiasts. The show featured a drool-worthy collection of café racer, bobber, classic, tracker, scrambler, modern classic, and brat-style bikes along with full custom builds from a wide array of builders, and an eye-opening collection of motorcycle-inspired art.
The OG Moto Show brings together more than a hundred of the top custom builders from across the States as well as featuring the artwork of many top motorcycle artists and photographers including Heidi Zumbrun and Captain Tom along with a wall of custom-painted Bell helmets. The show was founded by John Pangilinan, Stan Chen, Jay LaRossa of Lossa Engineering, and Ralph Holguin of RMD Garage. Their goal was to create a unique experience, in the heart of Southern California, with its combination of motorcycles and artwork as well as some motorcycle-themed tableaus.
A wide range of builders were featured with industry stars including Shinya Kimura of Chabott Engineering, Maxwell Hazan of Hazan Motorworks, and Woolie’s Workshop of Deus Ex Machina. Mitsuhiro Kiyonaga of Kiyo’s Garage, Dustin Kott of Kott Motorcycles, and Roland Sands also showcased their latest creations.
New to the show this year was Shirley of Issara Labs, who had a shiny chrome custom Moto Guzzi, and Ava Wolff of Gray Wolff Motors, who showed a custom XT600 tracker build for Tobacco Motorwear. On top of these custom bikes, the 2019 Kawasaki W800 Café was revealed and Royal Enfield brought its all-new parallel-twin-powered machines, including the INT650 and Continental GT along with the Himalayan adventure bike.
On top of the bikes and artwork, the OG Moto Market included vendors like gear makers Stellar Moto Brand and Aether Apparel and food trucks and a beer garden. The Aether setup was exceptionally elaborate with a storefront integrated into a renovated Airstream trailer. There was also an area where The Mighty Motor, a creative agency based out of LA that specializes in curating creative that shapes motorcycle culture, put on interactive talks with some of the builders about their creation while displaying the motorcycle on a stage. Onlookers got a chance to hear the builders talk about their projects firsthand.
Once again, the Outlier’s Guild Custom Motorcycle Show didn’t disappoint for locals looking for a cool space to ogle motorcycles, have some libations, and get inspired for the next project in their garage.
Intermot motorcycle show
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
