Front Street and Hamilton Harbour will once again come alive with all things motor this summer.
Vintage cars, custom cars, trucks and power boats, alongside BMXs, go-karts, acrobats, dancers and Gombeys will be out in force at the ScooterMart Motor Fest.
Playing the starring role at the seventh annual festival on Sunday, June 29, however, will be a spectacular number of motorbikes.
“For starters, we’ve got a 600cc Yamaha R6 stunt bike, that has been purpose built in Bermuda, and it’s going to be ridden by an international rider, Clutchup Corey,” said David Cahill, director of motor sports promoter, Bermuda Charge, which organises the event.
The Yamaha R6 is Mr Cahill’s own and has been converted into a stunt bike with the help of Kenneth DeSilva, owner of Custom Mechanics. As well as the stunt bike, spectators can enjoy seeing scramblers, mopeds, scooters, Mobylettes and drag bikes.
His personal favourites are the Yamaha V80s and V50s.
“They are so vibrant, colourful and personalised,” he said. “Many of them have personal messages painted on them, decals, small touches that make them really fun bikes.”
Honouring the Bermuda bike culture
Bikes that have stood out over the years include a custom Triumph named Goldeneye, created by Stephen Rodrigues who owns SPR Auto & Finishing, and the 2024 People’s Choice award winner, which was a hot pink Yamaha V50 owned by a 16-year-old girl.
“It’s really nice to see that youth generation is getting involved and keeping that tradition alive,” he said.
Tradition, along with Bermuda’s history and culture, is one of the main reasons behind the dominance of motorbikes at Motor Fest, and is a driving force behind Scooter Mart’s involvement.
“We enjoy keeping the culture of bikes alive. We understand the significance to our culture and to our traditions as Bermudians. If no one does this, we’re running the risk of that tradition dying out,” said Scooter Mart’s owner and director, Nick Thomson, in whose heart Mobylettes have a particularly special place.
“The Mobylettes and those early motorcycles that were around in the 1950s and 60s, that was the first time young people could have their own transportation beyond the bicycle,” he said.
“It made mobility accessible to an entire generation. There’s something to be said for our culture and how important motor cycles were, especially for a certain generation, and we’d like to continue that on.”
Using his father as an example, Mr Thomson laughed that if he needs a light bulb changed, “he’ll call someone,” but when he gave his Dad a 1971 Mobylette for Christmas, “he took apart the entire engine in our living room and told me what every single part was.”
Mr Cahill emphasised that motorbikes still remain significant to Bermuda’s culture.
“Bermuda is unique and you can’t avoid being connected to motorcycles. We have the one-car-per-household rule so, no matter who you are, you’re going to be around bikes.”
“They bridge the divide across all demographics,” added Mr Thomson. “That’s why we’re known for the diversity of our crowd at Motor Fest. It’s because everybody is connected through bikes.”
Freedom on two wheels
Bermuda is also ideally set up for using motorbikes as a primary form of transportation. There’s free parking, while maintenance, licensing and insurance costs are a fraction of what they are for cars.
The cost factor, said Mr Thomson, also means that bikes represent “independence and freedom” for a large portion of people.
He noted Bermuda has more registered bike riders per capita than anywhere else in the world.
While bikes play a crucial role in Bermuda’s motoring history, bike enthusiasts span the globe and this year’s Motor Fest will play host to the largest international contingent in the event’s history.
In addition to stunt rider, Clutchup Corey, international guests include North West 200 director, Mervyn Whyte, “world leading motorcycle builder”, J Shia, YouTuber, Matt Goodwin, who will be covering Motor Fest for his popular channel, High Peak Autos and multiple Isle of Man TT champion, Steve Plater.
The Isle of Man TT has been dubbed “statistically the most dangerous race in the world”, where riders can reach speeds of around 200 miles per hour.
“It’s highly challenging. There aren’t many humans that can complete the race let alone finish first,” praised Mr Cahill.
“Steve Plater brings with him a huge amount of experience and accomplishment and we’re excited to welcome him as a guest to inspire Bermuda’s young riders.”
The event will also have its first international booth, from Stoltzfus Logistics International: “The owner of the company is a motorcycle collector and a big fan of Bermuda,” said Mr Cahill.
Local talent however, remains an essential component of Motor Fest and few people encapsulate this more than paint detailing legend, Robbie Rogers, whose clients win or are placed every year.
This year, he is making a comeback in his own name, presenting his own bike.
“It’s going to be special,” he hinted. “It will definitely be something that’s worth their time to see.”
All the fun of the fair
Motor Fest isn’t just about admiring the vehicles, it will also be action-packed with stunts and speed tests; motorcycle, drag bike and go-kart showcases; power boat and jet ski racing; a BMX show; remote control cars and bikes; and the concluding ride-out.
One of the most popular races is the CG Slow Race, where competitors compete for a year’s worth of free CG insurance by being the slowest across 50 yards.
There’s one catch: you can’t put your feet down. And, just for fun, this year Steve Plater will be taking part too.
“We’ll have one of the fastest men on the planet competing to be the slowest rider in Bermuda,” laughed Mr Cahill.
Every year Motor Fest goes from strength to strength, garnering support from some of Bermuda’s most high profile companies, most enthusiastic petrolheads, motoring devotees and graphic artists.
“It is the premier bike and vehicle show,” Mr Rogers said.
“Who wouldn’t want to be part of it, if you have some custom or special vehicle? It is the show. There’s none other like it.”
