Singapore’s motorcycle scene came alive at the D’ Marquee in 2022 for the National Bikers Weekend. This event gave riders and fans a place to connect and see the latest bikes and gear. While smaller than the huge Singapore Bike Show, it offered a close-up look at exciting new trends. The show featured everything from classic custom bikes to cutting-edge electric motorcycles. For anyone interested in two-wheel culture, it was the place to be for a weekend.
Event Overview and First Impressions
The event took place over a hot weekend. It ran from Friday through Sunday at Downtown East. The first thing visitors saw was the packed car park. It was lined with bikes from all kinds of riders. This showed the diverse community that came out to share their passion.
The atmosphere was friendly and open. People could browse the booths, meet other riders, and learn about new products. The event felt more intimate than larger shows. This made it easier to talk to company owners and see the bikes up close. It was a great spot to spend an hour or two exploring.
Highlights from the Show Floor
The show had several key areas. Each one focused on a different part of the motorcycle world.
The Outdoor Area: Bikes and Gymkhana
Part of the car park was set aside for special displays. A section was marked with tents. This area featured some impressive supermoto bikes. These are lightweight motorcycles built for agility.
A Gymkhana competition was scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Gymkhana is a motorsport where riders navigate a tight course of cones with precision and speed. Skilled riders from Singapore were set to compete. Watching them could inspire others to try the sport. The bikes used for this are often highly modified and very cool to see in action.
The outdoor area also had businesses selling new bikes and aftermarket parts. Visitors could look at new headlights, horns, and oils. A company called KF1 was there. They shared information about booking track time on their karting circuit for supermoto action.
Inside the Marquee: Brands and Products
Inside the hall, many familiar and new brands had set up booths.
- A booth shared information about motorcycle insurance.
- Companies like Motorsport Singapore displayed bikes they distribute.
- A vendor sold integrated camera systems for motorcycles. These cameras are mounted on the bike. Riders do not need to take them off to charge.
- The Traffic Police had a public safety announcement booth.
- Motoworld was present with discounted gear. They offered deals on items like new riding jackets and gloves.
Spotlight on New and Notable Bikes
Several brands stood out with interesting models on display.
Zontes Motorcycles This Chinese motorcycle company showed their latest models. The presenter noted they look very good. Some designs could be mistaken for bikes like the Indian BMW G310. The presenter had concerns about long-term support and build quality for some Chinese-made bikes. He encouraged Zontes to prove their reliability over time.
Aidea Electric Bikes The brand “Idea” was showcased by Race Werks Singapore. Their bikes are homologated, meaning they are approved for road use. They were not ready for sale yet, but were on display for people to see.
One of their three-wheeled models had a special feature. It had a limited self-driving capability. This works at very low speeds, like moving a bike from a parking spot. A small steering motor controls the direction. It was a surprising feature from a smaller company.
Another Idea model was a small, compact bike. It could be a replacement for popular small bikes like the Honda Grom or Kawasaki Z125 Pro. It had a very light touch-sensitive alarm built in. The ergonomics felt comfortable, even for taller riders.
Triumph and Custom Brands A booth displayed the new Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR. This was a piece of eye candy for sportbike fans.
HD Model showed a new-looking Fatboy model. It had hints of the classic Terminator movie bike. A few bikes at this booth were going to be auctioned off.
Mutt Motorcycles This was a major highlight. Mud is a UK-based boutique brand. The Singapore branch is a separate local business. This means better local support for buyers.
The bikes have a distinctive scrambler or naked bike style. They are built for riders who love a rugged, customizable look. One model shown was the Razorback, with a 250cc engine.
Key features of Mutt Motorcycles include:
- Bolt-on parts: Components like the headlights are bolted on. This makes repairs very easy if the bike is dropped off-road.
- High ground clearance: The bikes offer a lot of clearance. This is good for rough terrain, even without a large front wheel.
- Custom exhaust options: The company is aware that riders may want different exhausts. They can work on custom routing, though it requires going through LTA approval.
The booth also reselled premium helmets. Some full-face models were very light, weighing around 1100 grams. These specialty helmets can be pricey, ranging from a few hundred to a thousand dollars. They are for buyers looking for something special, not just saving money.
Italjet Scooters: The Dragster The brand Italjet sells the Dragster scooter in Singapore. The presenter did not know these were officially sold until the show. The Dragster has a very unique and striking front suspension design. It looks heavily customized but is actually a production model.
Scorpio Electric: A Local Effort Scorpio is a Singaporean company working on its own electric motorcycle, the X1. The model on display was a prototype. It is not ready for production or public use. The company hopes to have something ready in the next two years.
The show revealed a bigger issue for electric motorcycles in Singapore. Even brands like Idea, which are approved in other countries, face hurdles. They need extra certification for their charging systems in Singapore. Safety rules for electric vehicles have become stricter. This is due to past issues with PMDs (Personal Mobility Devices). Because of this, mass-market electric motorcycles are still some time away from Singapore showrooms.
Final Thoughts and Reasons to Visit
The 2022 National Bikers Weekend was a success. It was smaller than some shows, but packed with interesting things to see. The event was a great way to learn about the current motorcycle scene in Singapore.
It was the perfect place to connect with other riders and talk to business owners. You could learn firsthand about industry developments. For example, talking to the team at Mud Motorcycles or the electric bike makers gave real insight.
The main draw was seeing new and special bikes you don’t see every day. From the self-driving Idea bike to the bolt-on Mud scramblers, there was plenty of innovation. The upcoming Gymkhana competition on Sunday added an exciting live action element.
Conclusion
The National Bikers Weekend showed the heart of Singapore’s riding community. It proved that even a smaller event can have a big impact. Visitors got a close look at the present and future of motorcycling.
They saw the latest gear, met famous brands, and discovered local companies trying new things. The event captured the passion that brings riders together. It was a celebration of two-wheeled culture right in the heart of the city.
For anyone who loves motorcycles, it was a weekend well spent. It offered a glimpse into a world of freedom, engineering, and style. The show reminded everyone why they ride in the first place.