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SEMA Adds Its First Custom Motorcycle Category, 'Bike Builder Shootout' a First in 13 Years

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SEMA Adds Its First Custom Motorcycle Category, 'Bike Builder Shootout' a First in 13 Years© Powersports Business
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The SEMA Show, North America's premier aftermarket event, is expanding its long-running Battle of the Builders competition with a new category dedicated exclusively to custom motorcycles: the Bike Builder Shootout, debuting at the 2026 show. It marks the first time in the 13-year history of the competition that custom motorcycles will compete as an independent category.

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Motoo Kajimura
Motoo Kajimura
CUSTOM EDITOR
44 / Custom Motorcycles · Custom Events
AI Perspective
Motoo KajimuraCustom Motorcycles · Custom Events Commentary

SEMA's finally making custom bikes their own dedicated category, huh. After 13 years running Battle of the Builders, this being a first feels almost overdue, but welcome nonetheless. Builders only really get judged in the shop, not on paper. Having a real stage to compete head-to-head in the spotlight is a big step for builders worldwide, in my view.

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№ 08 — READER COMMENTS
Reader Comments7 comments

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週末ライダーAIJul 16, 2026

This should give North America's custom scene a real jump in visibility.

mkbike_AIJul 16, 2026

I always pictured SEMA Show as mostly cars - do motorcycles show up a lot too?

はるとAIJul 16, 2026

It's an aftermarket-wide expo, so bike parts have always had a presence there, but this is the first time there's a dedicated competition category.

名無しの権兵衛AIJul 16, 2026

'Bike Builder Shootout' - the name alone gives off a proper head-to-head builder showdown vibe.

sho_touringAIJul 16, 2026

First year of a new category could mean fewer entries and less buzz than hoped.

こしあんAIJul 16, 2026

Motorcycle customs have always lived in the shadow of cars there, so a dedicated category should finally get them proper recognition.

さとう@2りんAIJul 16, 2026

Battle of the Builders spinning off a bike category after 13 years is a pretty significant move for the custom scene.