Photos: Honda

At the Wheels & Waves festival in Biarritz/F and on the website hondacustoms.com, Honda celebrates inspiring customizing and individualization with 11 bikes from 7 countries

 
 
For the 6th year in a row, Honda – in conjunction with an online poll on hondacustoms.com – is showcasing an inspiring mix of custom-made bikes based on the new GB350S at the Wheels & Waves festival in Biarritz, France.

In 2020, the CB1000R "Africa Four" from Swiss dealer Brivemo Motos was crowned the first hondacustoms.com winner. In 2021, the CB650R-based "Fenix" from Mototrofa ́s from Portugal attracted the majority of online votes.

In 2022, converted CMX500 Rebel bikes caused a stir, with the creation "Maanboard" by Sardinian customizer Motocicli Audaci leading the way. In 2023, the focus was on minibikes. The winner, the post-apocalyptic "Dax Furisoa" – a collaboration between the Art of Wheels Garage and artist Tamara Alves – handed the victory back to Portugal.

In 2024, the CL250 and CL500 took the limelight, with the Turkish company Bunker Garage emerging as champion with the great retro café racer "Bunker Imprint".

In 2025, the all-new GB350S will be artfully reimagined for Europe. With its concept of old and new, the single-cylinder bike offers the ideal basis for individual revision and has been entrusted to 11 Honda dealers and custom bike artists for this purpose. Versatile and designed for relaxed riding fun, the GB350S is very much on trend with its simple retro style and slogan "Ride with Life, Live with Passion", making it the perfect base for talented customizers to work their magic.

Honda's custom bike competition has developed into an annual event that gives the imagination all the freedom – in reality as well as online – and is also becoming increasingly popular. For example, in the summer of 2024, the website ́ hondacustoms.com' recorded over 25,500 visitors who cast their votes on the topic of CL conversions, an increase of 18% compared to the previous year.

The CB350S custom bikes can be seen in person at the Wheels and Waves festival in Biarritz from June 11-15, 2025 (Wednesday to Sunday); as well as online throughout the summer on the website ́ hondacustoms.com'. In addition to participating in the election for the best custom bike, there is also the possibility to download wallpapers to mobile and desktop devices.

The lineup of participants for 2025 (see picture gallery above)

 
The Rocket Lion – Honda Motor Center León/Spain

The creation 'Rocket Lion' is a declaration of love by the authorized dealer "Motor Center Léon" to old racing times. It embodies typical Honda workmanship, attention to detail and refined details from a glorious past. The bike shines with the full fairing of an old RC181 GP racing machine, paired with a self-made seat hump that can be converted to pillion use. Michelin Road Classic tires, plenty of titanium hardware and special paintwork, paired with an oversized and patinated wing logo, complete the old-school outfit.

@motocenter_leon_hondamotos @hondamotoses

Clubman TT – Mallorca Motos/Spain

Motorcycling, pure and genuine, just as it used to be, inspired the GB350S Clubman TT by Mallorca Motos. Consequently, the Spanish retailer picks up on the aesthetics of the 1960s and 1970s. Clip-on handlebars and seat humps give the bike a straight, energetic silhouette. A shotgun-style exhaust enhances the style and enhances the single-cylinder sound. A disc rear wheel complements the three-spoke front wheel, as a contrast to the wonderful turquoise metallic paintwork, which alternates with various shades of blue and green and is based on the Irish Sea around the Isle of Man.

@mallorcamotos @hondamotoses

Miranda– Honda Motorsport Las Rozas/Spain

The GB350S Miranda (named after the project manager's seven-year-old daughter) pays homage to rebellious free spirits who appreciate vintage motorcycles, cool aesthetics, stylish functionality and personality. The machine was conceived by the all-female team of Honda Motorsport Las Rozas and turned into reality. Special details include a lamp mask with integrated cockpit and the redesigned rear with retro paint finish of white and candy pink. In addition to the aesthetic appearance, an Arrow silencer gives the bike a new timbre, while the YSS shock absorbers help to support the riding dynamics.

@hondamotorsportmadrid @hondamotoses

MBX350 – Servihonda Málaga/Spain

The MBX350 creation by Servihonda Málaga stands out in the competition thanks to its unique visual appearance. Angular design and an iconic paint job evoke memories of the two-stroke Honda MBX80 of the eighties. The components used for this had to be specially adapted, modified and refurbished for the GB350S in order to meet the typical Honda quality level in terms of fit and workmanship. Newly painted wheels, telescopic forks and rear swingarm in bright silver (including Pro-Link sticker in red) further distinguish the MBX350 from the competition. Stylish square mirrors and a short Tavi exhaust system round off the machine.

@servihondamalaga @hondamotoses

Mia – TubaisMoto/Portugal

The Portuguese Honda dealer TubaisMoto is taking part in the hondacustoms.com competition for the first time. Its classically inspired GB350S-based café racer has been christened "Mia". Divisible full cladding and bulbous plexiglass pulpit stand for a purist 60s look. The black chassis contrasts with the fairing painted in red, blue and silver. Flat black exhaust and wire wheels underline the retro aesthetic. An artfully designed rear section with integrated LED light unit creates a modern finish.

@tubaismoto @hondamotos.pt

Okira – Ruleshaker/France

Can textile remnants inspire the style of tomorrow? Why not? The GB350S creation Okira was designed and created by Freaky Debbie (Déborah Amaral, a fashion designer from Paris specializing in upcycling) thanks to Honda France's support. The implementation in a unique outfit was again provided by Ruleshaker motorcycles from unsold clothing and various old motorcycle parts. The result presents itself as a mobile recycled work of art, dressed by a fashion designer. A feast for the eyes, so to speak, completed with leather and metal materials - a wonderful patchwork of HRC-inspired red, white and blue.

@ruleshaker @freakydebbie @hondamotofr

Silver Bullet – Farnham Honda/Great Britain

The Silver Bullet is a classic café racer interpretation, wonderfully British. The slim half fairing and individual seat are made of aluminium and exude style and determination. The clip-on handlebars are rattled below the triple clamp. The recessed footrest system on specially made mounts fits in with this. Furthermore, steel braided brake hoses and wave brake discs were donated. The exhaust and license plate holder were contributed by Yoshimura. To underline the performance potential, the machine, artfully built by Farnham-Honda, rolls on treadless slick racing tires.

@farnham_honda @hondaukmotorcycles

FTR350– Vertu Honda/Great Britain 

The light and airy FTR350 from Vertu Honda in England is visibly inspired by flat track racing and impresses with its minimalist aesthetic with a focus on performance, handling and sound. The modified seat unit skilfully accommodates the gentle curve of the tank. Only consistently: a large starting number plate replaces the front headlight. The sleek bodywork exudes classic flat-track style, as do the black frame and wire wheels. Steel-braided brake lines optimise the braking potential. Large top-mounted air filter and raised exhaust with Racefit silencer support the performance-enhancing ventilation of the single-cylinder engine.

@vertuhondabikes @hondaukmotorcycles

• Swiss Wing – Pellicari Design/Switzerland

The GB350S Swiss Wing is a unique creation born from the collaboration between Honda Moto Switzerland and Pellicari-Design, inspired by aviation. The striking features include disc wheels, various rivets, hoses and screws – the large Honda wing on the tank also catches the eye. The engine breathes through a forward-facing air filter element, the exhaust system with two mufflers passes under the swing caliper. The total work of art is underlined by retro whitewall tires, piggyback shock absorbers and candy-red paint, which is intended to evoke associations with the Swiss flag.

@pellicaridesign @hondamoto_ch

• Hachimaan – MAAN Motocicli Audaci/Italy

The winning team of 2022, Sardinia-based Honda dealer MAAN Motocicli, is back. This unique GB350S creation, named after the Shinto god of war Hachimaan, is intended to embody fighting spirit and relies on Japanese bobber style. A rigid frame and numerous custom components were specially made for this purpose – such as a peanut tank and handlebars without clutch and brake levers to achieve a tidy look. The metallic blue paint with flames even continues on the telescopic forks. The suicide shifter with foot clutch and the short exhaust also radiate consistent custom style. A playful detail is the user manual, which is attached to the handlebars with a cable tie.

@motocicliaudaci @hondamotoitalia

• GRAND (B)RIX – Sporty Bike/Germany

Discreet and unobtrusive, inspired by street and café racers, the GRAND (B)RIX presents itself in a classic black and gold outfit. Push-through fork tubes lower the front end. An advantageously offset handlebar, bar-end mirrors and new grip rubbers underline the visual appearance. A black exhaust system adds style and character, while the retrofitted shock absorbers harmonize with the tidy rear. A custom-made bench completes the successful overall picture.

@hondamotorrad_de

The website ́ hondacustoms.com' is once again available in English, French, German, Italian and Portuguese. The winners will be announced at the end of the summer.

So may the election begin and win the most popular bike!