Ambarawa – Indonesia’s custom motorcycle scene took center stage at the Honda Modif Contest 2026 Final Battle in Ambarawa, Central Java. The event brought together the country’s leading Honda motorcycle modifiers and formed part of the wider Honda Bikers Day 2026 gathering.
Organized by PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM), Honda Modif Contest (HMC) provides a platform for enthusiasts to express their creativity through motorcycle customization. This year’s competition featured 1,313 modified motorcycles across nine cities. From that field, 81 finalists advanced to the national final.
The Final Battle took place on October 24, 2026, at Lapangan Panglima Besar Jenderal Sudirman in Ambarawa. Thousands of Honda bikers gathered at the same venue for Honda Bikers Day (HBD) 2026, creating a setting that connected custom motorcycle culture with Indonesia’s wider riding community.
The combined events highlighted two important parts of Honda’s motorcycle ecosystem: individual creativity and collective enthusiasm.
Three National Champions Crowned at HMC 2026
The HMC 2026 Final Battle featured three main categories: Matic & Cub, Sport, and Ultimate. Each category recognized a different approach to motorcycle modification.
Wory Modified won the Matic & Cub National Champion title with a Honda Blade customized around a Performance concept. The result demonstrated how modifiers can give a familiar motorcycle a distinct identity through carefully selected modifications.
Jason Vito Valentino claimed the Sport National Champion title with a Honda ST125 Dax featuring a Neo Cafe Racer concept. The build combined the character of the compact Dax with a custom styling direction inspired by cafe racer culture.
Ajies Sabara secured the Ultimate National Champion title with a Honda CB150R Streetfire built around a Boardtracker concept. This style draws inspiration from stripped-back racing motorcycles and emphasizes a distinctive custom appearance.
Three experienced judges evaluated the finalists. They were Hendra Cahyono of Pap N Mam Modified, Agus Ficdiyanto of Alpha Sierra Custom, and Haris Fatchurahman of Manasi Ride.
Their assessment helped determine the national winners from a field representing different motorcycle categories and modification styles.
Nine Cities Helped Build the Competition
Honda Modif Contest 2026 reached enthusiasts in nine cities across Indonesia. The regional rounds took place in Bandung, Medan, Surabaya, Makassar, Banjarbaru, Pekanbaru, Samarinda, Solo, and Denpasar before the national final in Ambarawa.
Across these regional events, the competition displayed 1,313 modified Honda motorcycles. The 81 finalists then advanced to the Final Battle to compete for national recognition.
The contest offered nine classes to accommodate different motorcycles and customization approaches. These included Matic & Cub Stock/Bolt On, Matic & Cub Advance, Matic & Cub Community Touring, Sport Community Touring, All Sport (Naked & Fairing), and Show Off.
Other classes included All Stock & Advance for motorcycles produced before 2010, as well as Racing Style and Free For All. The latter two welcomed entries across Honda motorcycle categories.
HMC also recognized specific achievements through additional awards. These included Best Retro Scoopy, Best Retro Stylo 160, Best Xplorer, Best Big Scooter, Best Skuter Kalcer, Best Matic Proper, Best Media Pick, Best Crowd Favorite, and Best Fun Community.
Two awards introduced in 2026 were Best Crowd Favorite and Best Skuter Kalcer. The former encouraged audience participation, while the latter recognized customization trends involving the Honda Stylo 160 and Honda Scoopy.
This variety gave participants room to explore different styles rather than follow a single definition of a well-modified motorcycle.
Honda Dream Ride Project Offers a Next Step
Winning a national title can also open opportunities beyond the competition itself.
The national champions will have the opportunity to participate in the Honda Dream Ride Project (HDRP). This development program connects selected modifiers with experienced mentors to help them refine their skills and develop new ideas.
The program gives the winners a chance to build on the experience gained through HMC. It also supports the exchange of knowledge between established modifiers and emerging creative talent.
Andy Wijaya, General Manager of AHM’s Marketing Planning & Analysis Division, said HMC provides a space for modifiers and Honda enthusiasts to express their creativity and develop their potential.
He added that the competition goes beyond determining winners. It also encourages inspiration, collaboration, and the continued growth of Honda’s motorcycle modification community in Indonesia.
HMC has been held under its current name since 2014. Its continued regional presence reflects an effort to connect modifiers from different parts of the country.
The competition also emphasizes roadworthiness and riding safety. This is an important consideration as customization continues to develop as a form of personal expression.
Honda Bikers Day Brings the Community Together
The HMC Final Battle was one of the attractions at Honda Bikers Day 2026, which brought together Honda motorcycle communities from across Indonesia.
The 2026 series recorded a total of 32,214 Honda bikers across its regional events and national gathering. The main event in Ambarawa drew 21,868 bikers on October 24.
Honda Bikers Day began in 2009 and has developed into an annual gathering for Honda motorcycle communities. It provides a meeting point for riders from different regions and generations.
This year’s theme, “Legacy of Spirit,” highlighted the importance of preserving community values and passing them on to future generations. The message focused on friendship, integrity, solidarity, and positive contributions to society.
Before the Ambarawa gathering, HBD 2026 visited three other regions. The Sumatra event took place in Lampung on September 26, followed by the Kalimantan gathering in Samarinda on October 3. The Sulawesi event followed in Makassar on October 17.
These regional meetings gave local communities opportunities to connect before the national gathering in Central Java.
Music, Local Businesses, and Social Contributions
Honda Bikers Day 2026 offered more than a meeting place for motorcycle enthusiasts. The program included community activities, discussions, games, prize giveaways, and entertainment.
Visitors could also enjoy a range of musical performances. Hasoe Angel opened the entertainment program, followed by Guyon Waton and Denny Caknan with Sintya Marisca.
Other activities included the Saturday Morning Ride, a 100-meter time trial competition, stand-up comedy, and a Vario Evo custom display. The event also featured local cultural performances, an area for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and a bazaar.
These activities created opportunities for local businesses to connect with visitors. The presence of food vendors and other sellers also linked the motorcycle gathering with the surrounding local economy.
Community members also contributed to social initiatives during the HBD series. Honda motorcycle communities donated a total of Rp50 million to two foundations, with support from the Astra Motor Central Java network.
The contribution highlighted how community activities can extend beyond shared interests in motorcycles. They can also provide opportunities for collective action and support for local causes.
More Than a Motorcycle Modification Contest
Honda Modif Contest 2026 demonstrated the range of ideas emerging from Indonesia’s Honda motorcycle community. Its 1,313 entries, nine-city regional series, and 81 national finalists showed the scale of participation in this year’s competition.
The HMC Final Battle also benefited from its place within Honda Bikers Day. The gathering brought together thousands of riders and gave custom motorcycles a wider audience.
Meanwhile, the Honda Dream Ride Project offers national champions an opportunity to continue developing their craft. Its mentoring approach can help participants turn competition experience into further creative growth.
Together, HMC and HBD show how motorcycle culture brings together design, technical skills, community identity, and social participation.
For Indonesia’s custom motorcycle scene, the value of these events extends beyond trophies and attendance figures. They create opportunities for enthusiasts to share ideas, recognize talent, and strengthen connections across regions.
As motorcycle customization continues to evolve, competitions and community gatherings such as these will remain important spaces for creativity and collaboration.
