Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
Italy’s big Biker Fest rally was back this year for the 38th time with a big jump in attendance and even more wild custom builds. As per tradition, thousands of riders surged through the city streets on the last May weekend. (Biker Fest International/)For European bikers the month of May basically signals the start of the riding season, and every year Biker Fest International holds court in Italy to celebrate the occasion. The four-day rally, also known as the Italian Daytona, wrapped up its 38th edition in scenic Lignano Sabbiadoro along Italy’s northeast coast, where a full slate of activities, including one of Europe’s longest-running custom bike shows, went down. You had the finale of the Italian Motorcycle Championship (IMC), as well as the only Italian stage of the World and European Championships of Custom Bike Building organized by American Motorcycle Dealer (AMD). This year’s BFI attracted the best talent and custom bike craftsmen from Italy and abroad, with the international feel strengthened by a partnership with the legendary Sturgis Bike Week, announced earlier.Related: Biker Fest Returns To Celebrate 35th AnniversaryWith activities spread out across different areas of the city, Biker Fest boasts a schedule full of racing, touring, freestyle stunt shows, demo rides, and live bands, but at its heart, it’s about the custom scene, and there were more than a few beautiful builds to ogle this year. Check out these photos of the IMC Best in Show winner, as well as finalists in the AMD-sponsored event below.The Best in Show award in the Italian Motorcycle Championship (IMC) showing went to this Harley-Davidson Nightster called “975 Monza” by Lorenzo Nisi, aka Bad Boys Garage. (Biker Fest International/)For the finals of the AMD-sponsored event, the international judging panel selected this Harley-Davidson FX chopper built by Austria’s Mayerl Motorcycles as No. 1. (Biker Fest International/)How about this gorgeous single-cylinder Norton dubbed “La Mona”? The build came out of Italy’s Mannaia Workshop, and won second place in the AMD group. (Biker Fest International/)This bold boardtracker-style electric called “Murata” snagged third place in the AMD round. Belgium’s Ruben Mellaerts created the bike for RM Builds. (Biker Fest International/)Back in the Italian portion of the show, the winningest entry of the Metric group was this angular Suzuki 650 named “Hagane,” courtesy of Overdrive Customs. (Biker Fest International/)Taking the top prize in the Scrambler category was this H-D Sportster from Number 8 Workshop. (Biker Fest International/)Best Cafe Racer? That would be this classy Yamaha XS400 crafted by VM Cycles. (Biker Fest International/)Naturally there was a bagger class, and grabbing the top hardware this year was this slammed, big-wheel Harley from Asso Special Bike Garage. (Biker Fest International/)Can you believe this is a CB750? In the class called “Old Style,” this stretched, superclean Honda crafted by Andrea Turco scooped up the most votes. (Biker Fest International/)In the Streetfighter category, first place went to this H-D XR1200 from Niko Bikes. (Biker Fest International/)The pavement-scraping beast called “Unbirthday,” from American Dreams, snagged the most votes in the Freestyle category. (Biker Fest International/)This H-D V-Rod from Kustom Kio rolled away with the top prize in the Modified group. (Biker Fest International/)New to BFI for 2024 was the Chicano sub-show (hey, we didn’t name it), dedicated to <i>viclas</i>, those rad lowriders packing chrome, flake paint, and silver leaf detailing. The most popular was this Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail from Italian workshop Rckroll-Chop. (Biker Fest International/)A whole herd of viclas to ogle at this year’s Biker Fest International. (Biker Fest International/)Meticulous vicla detailing. (Biker Fest International/)Not a vicla, but some pretty sick detailing nevertheless. (Biker Fest International/)Like we said, there were a bunch of different activities around town taking place at once. We have no idea what’s going on here. (Biker Fest International/)Another custom from Rckroll-Chop. (Biker Fest International/)
