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My schedule was already full, and the addition of Easyriders has made it positively chaotic. Give me a few days to sort things; next week I’ll have a fuller update. For now, the November/December issue is moving into its final stages — its themes are mentoring, the holidays, Sturgis, and our Salt Flats project.
Staff and headlines
The Bikernet Weekly News continues under a core team that keeps the coverage running: The Redhead, Wayfarer, LA Laura, Viscous Vickie, Danial James, the Freak Show Team, Sturgis prospect Kendra, Paul Davis, Agent Zebra and Berry Wardlaw. Together they’re preparing the holiday mentoring issue and a package of stories from the road.
Industry snapshot: where custom bikes stand in 2026
The custom motorcycle sector in 2026 looks different from the broader U.S. market. Overall registrations are only marginally higher, but the custom scene is more structured, more global, and increasingly tied to factory strategies.
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Several trends stand out. OEMs are using customization as a marketing channel. Mid-displacement platforms — notably Royal Enfield’s 650 twins and Honda’s 750 twins — have become the go-to donors for garage builders. Aftermarket parts remain the primary economic driver of the hobby, and the Bagger segment commands significant attention.
Market analysts estimate the custom/customized motorcycle market at a few billion dollars, with growth near 6% annually. North America holds the largest share today, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region. Stylistically, choppers still occupy the largest slice of demand; however, bobbers, café racers and scramblers are the most dynamic growth categories.
Heritage marques in the spotlight
Harley-Davidson has doubled down on both factory-custom product and racing initiatives. The company’s 2026 lineup expanded — including CVO models and updated Milwaukee‑Eight engines — and it has staged a six-round Bagger World Cup on MotoGP weekends at venues such as COTA, Mugello, Assen, Silverstone, Aragón and the Red Bull Ring. In Europe, Harley also supported a dealer-backed Creators Custom Clash that debuted at European Bike Week in Faak am See (September 8–13).
Indian Motorcycle entered 2026 as it marked its 125th anniversary, introducing new Scout Sixty variants with factory-custom styling. The brand separated from Polaris in February and now operates as a standalone company under Carolwood LP, led by Mike Kennedy, a former Harley and Vance & Hines executive. The stated plan is to repatriate some manufacturing to Iowa and Minnesota, but sales have fallen sharply in 2026 — especially in the U.S. — so Indian’s custom-friendly Scout strategy is unfolding amid a business turnaround rather than a celebration.
Moto Guzzi is marking its 105th year and recently staged GMG 2026 (September 3–6) in Mandello del Lario, tied to a new factory and museum effort that feeds the brand’s custom culture.
Builders, contests and platforms
Custom media and shops continue to favor the easy-to-modify mid-size twins. Royal Enfield 650 builds dominate attention, while Indian-based projects have also drawn heavy traffic — examples include Mean Green Customs’ Continental GT café racers, Fūjin and Neon Discipline. Honda is encouraging custom work through its Hondacustoms.com contest at Wheels & Waves, which this year matched five CB750 Hornet builds against five XL750 Transalp projects to showcase on-road versus off-road approaches. BMW’s R nineT still figures prominently in Europe and Japan, and even small models such as Honda’s Dax are receiving hot‑rod and chopper treatments.
Shows and competitions are expanding their motorcycle presence. SEMA added a dedicated motorcycle category for its Battle of the Builders in Las Vegas (November 3–6, 2026). Europe remains anchored by large reader-driven contests and festivals such as Custombike, Wheels & Waves and Bike Week — an ecosystem where OEMs, creators and shows collaborate to amplify builds.
Two undercurrents to watch
First, volume brands from China are making inroads. CFMoto has reported sharp gains in gasoline-bike sales in the U.S. and elsewhere, and while these models are not yet central to “custom culture,” low-cost modern platforms often evolve into donor bikes and aftermarket ecosystems.
Second, electrification remains awkward for visual, photographable customs. Commuter EV two-wheelers — particularly Chinese exports — are proliferating, but premium electric motorcycles have been slow to find buyers; several higher-end models have lingered in inventory with heavy discounts. Custom EV projects exist and are expected to grow, yet the 2026 custom scene still skews heavily toward internal-combustion, retro and mid-displacement platforms.
Bottom line: The craft side of customization is healthy and growing more professional. Attention and capital cluster around factory-custom cruisers, bagger racing, Royal Enfield/Honda donor platforms and anniversary marketing. Risk centers on legacy U.S. volume brands (Indian’s sales slump; Harley’s need to reach new audiences) and on whether electric motorcycles will ever be widely embraced as chop-ready canvases.
Deal of the week: 2022 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114
Featured this week is a 2022 Harley-Davidson FXBBS Softail Street Bob in Redline Red with 11,919 miles. Key specifications cited include a 114 cubic‑inch Milwaukee‑Eight engine, a six‑speed transmission, mid controls, a Saddlemen step-up seat with tuck-and-roll, Thrashin Co. saddlebags, 10‑inch wrinkle‑black handlebars and black fork boots. The listed price is $12,995; the listing notes the motorcycle passed a comprehensive 103‑point inspection.
Art, Sturgis and show notes
Artist Ray Drea reported a successful July show at the Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, where roughly 50 pieces were displayed and several sold; he also created new works during the exhibition and thanked the hotel staff and visitors for their support.
At the 86th Sturgis Rally, Drea collaborated with the Buffalo Chip to produce a commission for headliner YUNGBLUD and produced three giclées for charity auctions and a permanent display at the Chip. According to the account, the musician signed the prints and bought the original; he also performed despite an on‑site motorcycle crash earlier that day. Management reportedly urged cancellation; X‑rays confirming a broken leg were not available until a few days later.
Ray was also invited to appear in Key West after Destination Florida Magazine selected one of his Jimmy Buffett paintings for a fall cover. He is scheduled to paint live at Zazoo Gallery, 622 Duval Street, Key West, October 21–24.
Tech and projects
Lowbrow Customs introduced the Straton Springer, a modernized take on 1940s Harley springer front ends, with bolt‑on fitments for various frames including Gasbox full frames, four‑speed Big Twin frames (Shovelhead, Panhead, Knucklehead), and 1986–2003 Evo Sportster frames. Installation instructions and videos are available from the maker.
Jims Tech plans to contribute to Easyriders magazine with distributor materials on a new ACR socket and the FAT6 transmission. The FAT6 has had extended development and, per the company, saw its first run at the salt flats with positive feedback. Independently, a builder named Kevin Baxter has posted a video offering a lifetime warranty on the transmission when purchased through his shop.
Mentoring and the road from reader to editor
Wayfarer reflects on mentoring as a recurring theme. In 2006 they submitted a short, amateur piece inspired by Bikernet and were paid and published by Keith “Bandit” Ball — an early boost that led to travel writing and, later, commissioned pieces. Wayfarer notes that the motorcycling community frequently offers informal mentorship, and encourages readers to try projects, take risks and pass skills on to others.
Wayfarer also points readers to an Easyriders blog feature titled “Bandit Talks: Quotes and Thoughts over the years.” The piece collects thoughts attributed to Keith Ball; one line he shared reads: “I just turned 75, and look at all the cool stuff I can do this year. Think about kids today, all the stuff they can do on their phones daily. Life is incredible, all you need to do is to get out of bed and get moving. It’s all at your fingertips.”
Notes from the garage
Other items in the pipeline: a proposal to start a tattoo-focused magazine, updates on Adam Croft’s seat project tied to Kevin Baas’s high‑school mentoring work, and preservation efforts for the Streamliner panels recovered after a record run. There’s also a plan to run tests on the Bonne Belle and to connect with veteran builders; one example cited is Leo Hess in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who still operates a shop at 77.
Riders and builders are invited to stay connected as the team finalizes the next Easyriders issue and the holiday mentoring package.
