Every January, long before the European riding season truly kicks off, the city of Verona in northern Italy transforms into the beating heart of global motorcycle culture. For three electric days in late January, Motor Bike Expo, now in its 18th edition, turns the cavernous halls of Veronafiere into a cathedral of steel, paint, power and imagination, where over 700 exhibitors from across the world and thousands of visitors gather to celebrate the art of two-wheeled expression. From jaw-dropping one-offs and custom builds that blur the line between sculpture and machine, to the latest models from established manufacturers and emerging innovators alike, MBE 2026 was not just a show, it was a declaration of passion, creativity and the relentless pursuit of what’s next in the motorcycling world.
MBE, as it is known to all, is not just the first major show of the year on the custom bike calendar; it is simply one of the biggest and best. As you might expect from Italians, their ability to curate an event and do it with both unbridled passion and engineered organisation is hard to match. And while keeping the fire burning for so many years is a task in and of itself, somehow they managed to ensure the 2026 edition of the MBE was by far the biggest and best yet.
And the key to that success is rather simple. Ensuring that all the machines on display are perhaps the most diverse and high quality customs to ever have gathered under one roof. It’s a big call, but as you look over the photo gallery, I think you’ll agree. No bike that isn’t world-class gets through the door, and no single style is ignored; there is truly something for every motorcycle maniac.
The first thing to stand out about this year’s event was the quality of old-school Harley-Davidson builds, and it was one such example that took out the ‘Best In Show’ trophy. A beautiful board tracker based on a 350 Peashooter, meticulously crafted by the guys from Gallery Motorcycle. Germany’s Thomas Bader showed why he’s been winning awards for years with his stunning baby brown bobber, and the team from Maly HD brought along a ’70s style chopper called Butterfly that’s probably best enjoyed with a small tab of LSD.
The list of international invitees was epic, too. Cristian of Sosa Metalworks flew in from the US, while Winston Yeh brought along one of his crazy Rough Craft carbon creations, and Cherry Company’s radical red BMW joined the party too. Many of these names have been on the show circuit for well over a decade now, and while the show itself is physically massive, the sense of community is tight-knit and crystal clear.
And then there is that diversity, Ralf Eggl and the WoidWerk crew flew the flag for BMW with his R12 and R18 creations known as the ‘Speed Sisters’. Yet nearby, a bike stood out that couldn’t be more different, Paolo Massera’s Ducati Motocross machine, packing a 900cc L-Twin. And for some of the best in British, a 1956 Triumph Board Tracker by F. Fineo and Anvil Disciples highlighted just how well the old parallel twin can still look when built to such a high standard.
If race bikes are your thing, then you were also in luck, this was a chance for the crowds to get up close and personal with a genuine Moto2 machine, along with a Ducati factory racer from the ’70s, a Dakar dirt thrasher or two, a Yamaha R7 SuperSport bike fresh from competition and even the BMW ‘Titan’ R1300 drag bike, a project led by our friend Philipp Ludwig, which has more muscle than a Mr Universe pageant.
The event also featured the usual rides out into the Italian countryside, as builders were as keen as mustard to prove that their hot rods are not simply show ponies but genuine thoroughbreds. The food flowed as fast as the beer, and it was impossible to find anyone who wasn’t full of praise for the 2026 running of the MBE and all of the people who work so hard to make it happen. So, pour a tea, soak in the gallery of goodness and start planning a trip to Verona in 2027.
[ MBE – Photography by Craig Stuart ]