The reaction to our decision to ' retire ' the AMD World Championship has been one of widespread and , literally , worldwide disappointment among custom bike builders and AMD ' Affiliate ' event organizers . The feedback from ' builders ' - competitors and otherwise - is that the program provided a focus for the custom-build market and represented an inspirational , motivational and aspirational goal . The positive effect that the program has had on custom show conduct , staging values and judging integrity expectations has also been appreciated by many who now worry that without an industry scheme , some of the old problems that plagued custom shows could return . Many of the event organizers who were involved in the ' AMD ', those who were dedicated to doing it well and had the interests of the custom bike industry at heart , have told us that the recognition by ' AMD ' was valuable to them as it was respected by competitors and recognized by consumers in their countries as having real meaning and event credential . As we commented when announcing the " permanent suspension " of the program some months ago , we are fully aware of the respect in which it was held , the value placed on it and the positive effects that it had on ' raising the bar ' - both in terms of bike build quality recognition and event conduct standards . Walking away from that positive role wasn ' t something that we here at AMD were happy about . However , just as starting out down that path was a ' child of its times ' back-in-the-day , then so too knowing when to walk away and leave the stage open for a new concept , a new formula , and new players to emerge was as important at this time as the start of the undertaking had back in the 1990s . The times are different now , and I ' m pleased to say that , budgets apart , most of the show staging problems that gave rise to the ' AMD ' program are now largely in the market ' s rear-view mirror . If custom bike shows are going to be able to reconcile their two , often conflicting priorities , it is time for new ideas and options to emerge . Those two priorities are to honor and showcase the custom motorcycle design and engineering values of the past , and to be able to address the future by embracing the ever-changing ' direction of travel ' that drives the evolution of motorcycle design and engineering . What was once cutting-edge and radical is now ' retro ' and nostalgia . The industry needs events that will showcase the new radical , will create new experiences and new memories . It both needs to keep the flames alive and find new flames . Having deliberately taken our time about our decision-making and planning , there is now a clear void and the opportunity to ' seed ' a new vision of international Custom Bike Show coordination and recognition to help those new concepts emerge , to provide a platform from which a new direction of travel for the custom bike show sector can emerge . www . custombikeshow . se
www . bikerfest . it
www . indianridersfest . eu www . budweiscustom . show
In direct response to feedback from builders , event organizers and well-known industry collaborators , AMD is therefore launching a new version of its ' Affiliate ' program - the ' AMD Approved ' program . A seal of approval that provides recognition and profile for custom shows that , no matter how different they are to each other , do nonetheless share our values , care about the interests of their competitors and about the quality and future of custom motorcycle design and engineering . This is no ' show conduct playbook ', this is not a show structure cookie-cutter , but it is an indication that the show is serious about giving its visitors a quality experience and the chance to see the best possible custom bikes , while also giving their competing guests the best possible platform to showcase their work . At this stage , there is no pathway to any kind of finals concept , this is not the comeback of the ' AMD ' World Championship event , but it is a brand carry-forward that event organizers and their competitors can use . They can use it as a signal of intent that they understand the importance of doing their best to " do the right thing " where custom show organization , conduct , judging and integrity are concerned . Is it an endorsement of the show by AMD Magazine ? Is it accreditation by AMD ? Is it certification ? Well , yes to all those to varying extents , but it is a badge of approval that can also be withdrawn at any time if the majority feedback from builders about the event is negative . We will work with organizers on a consultancy basis to advise and help them make their show the best it can be , but ' Approval ' is annual and is not automatically renewed . With this new program announcement , we can confirm the first three events that are ' AMD Approved ' for 2023 . With ' Custom Bike Show ' operated by Twin Club MC in Sweden ( first weekend of June ) and ' Biker Fest ' ( Italy , May 18-21 ), operated by Moreno and Micke Persello of Bikers Life fame , we are recognizing the oldest custom shows , and two of the longest established and most internationally respected of the events from the former ' AMD Affiliate ' program . Plus , we are recognizing a new event to the ' AMD Family ' - the Indian Riders Fest in Czechia and its associated ' Budweis ' Custom Show ( June 9-11 , 2023 ). Not a new event , it has , however , made great progress in terms of its status , backing and profile in the past 24 months .
It represents a genuine first for AMD , and for the international custom motorcycle market in general , as the first show that is 100 percent dedicated to past and present Indian motorcycles .
Robin Bradley
Co-owner / Editor-in-Chief robin @ dealer-world . com