Hundreds of custom motorcycle builders from across Central Java and Yogyakarta gathered for the highly anticipated Honda Modif Contest 2025. This contest, recognized as Indonesia’s largest modification competition, brought together creativity and technical excellence at its latest stop in Solo.
Participants and visitors were treated to a spectacle of automotive artistry held at Sentra Niaga Solo Baru. The event attracted more than 1,000 attendees, creating a vibrant atmosphere fueled by music, interactive exhibitions, and displays of the country’s finest custom Honda motorcycles.
The Grand Stage for Builders and Fans
Honda Modif Contest, known as HMC, took place across ten major cities in Indonesia, culminating in Solo as the final destination for this year’s series. The Solo series drew an impressive 101 custom builders, each presenting their unique modifications and engineering skills. According to Henry Setiawan, Marketing Manager of Astra Motor Central Java, the local response toward the event was overwhelming, with regional builders eager to present their best Honda modification projects.
Every showcased motorcycle reflected not only technical skill but also personal stories and creative backgrounds. These custom projects demonstrated a range of styles, from restoration to futuristic upgrades, captivating visitors and judges alike with their originality.
Diverse Categories and Highly Competitive Classes
This year’s contest offered nine main categories, ensuring a place for every type of Honda modification and builder expertise. The categories included:
- All Stock & Advance (for motorcycles produced before 2006)
- Matic & Cub Stock/Bolt On
- Matic & Cub Advance
- Matic & Cub Community Touring
- Sport Community Touring
- All Sport (Naked & Fairing)
- Show Off >2006 (for motorcycles produced after 2006)
- Free for All (FFA), open to all production years
- Racing Style, also open to all years
Exceptional interest emerged in the Free for All (FFA) class, making Solo’s regional series notable for drawing the largest number of FFA participants compared to other host cities. Judges found it a challenge to select winners due to the high level of competition and the increasing quality of entries.
Besides these main categories, there were special achievement awards in seven divisions. The special recognition classes included:
- BEST Stylo 160
- BEST Big Scooter (PCX 160)
- BEST Matic Proper (Vario 160)
- BEST Xplorer (ADV 160)
- BEST Regional Series
- Best Fun Community Competition
- Best Media Pick (with judges from journalists and local community leaders)
Finalists from each main category earned the right to represent their region at the upcoming HMC National Final Battle, held during Honda Bikers Day in Garut. The competition for national honors continues, raising expectations among fans and fellow competitors.
Festival Experience for All Visitors
The excitement of the HMC Solo Series extended beyond the motorcycle contest itself. Interactive booths offered an up-close look at Honda motorcycles, while a bustling bazaar and local food trucks added to the festivities. The event provided a space for small businesses from Solo to interact with visitors and exhibit their crafts.
Entertainment was a key draw for attendees, with performances from popular acts such as Diskoplo. Crowds enjoyed a full program, featuring a Hip Hop Community showcase, Graffiti Art Performances, a Honda Motor Sketch Contest, a K-POP Dance Competition, and dynamic Drum Perform Parades. This variety of attractions made HMC a family-friendly event and a major draw for automotive enthusiasts in Central Java.
Community engagement was further elevated by a rolling city ride, where 89 members from several Honda motorcycle clubs—such as New PCX Solo Raya, Honda Stylo Solo Raya, Scoopy Owner Solo (SOS), Paguyuban Honda Klaten Bersinar (PHKB), and Paguyuban Motor Honda Wonogiri (PMHW)—paraded across Solo Baru. This group ride fostered solidarity and a shared passion for Honda motorcycles.
Judging Criteria and Selection Process
The judging process at HMC follows strict and transparent standards. Experienced and competent judges with robust backgrounds in motorcycle customization evaluated the motorcycles based on innovation, uniqueness, functionality, finish quality, and overall visual appeal. Media representatives and local community figures participated as guest judges in certain categories, adding credibility to the assessment.
Builders competed not only for trophies but also for recognition from the national motorcycle community. Every winning entry stood as a testament to the evolving culture of Indonesian motorcycle customization, where form meets function in extraordinary ways.
Spotlight on Builder Stories and Pride
Behind every modified motorcycle lay a story of dedication and inspiration. Builders from Central Java and Yogyakarta showcased creations that blended personal taste with technical expertise. Many expressed pride in representing their regions at the national level, with hopes of claiming broader recognition for their work.
According to event officials, nearly all motorcycles displayed at HMC Solo Series were remarkable for their aesthetics and innovative concepts. Participants saw this platform not only as a competition but also as an arena to share ideas, gather inspiration, and strengthen networks within Indonesia’s expanding builder community.
Table: Key Numbers at HMC Solo Series
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Participating Builders | 101 |
| Main Competition Categories | 9 |
| Special Achievement Awards | 7 |
| Community Club Participants | 89 bikers |
| Total Visitors | Over 1,000 |
| Host Cities in Series | 10 |
Continuing the Legacy of Honda Modif Contest
As the Honda Modif Contest heads to the national finals at Honda Bikers Day in Garut, anticipation and excitement grow among all participants. Industry leaders, including Astra Motor, reaffirm their commitment to supporting Indonesia’s creative builder scene.
Henry Setiawan expressed his confidence that Central Java and Yogyakarta’s modifiers possess the skill and passion to vie for national titles. Consistent improvements in the quality and diversity of entries point to a bright future for the event and its participants.
With an expanding range of custom motorcycles, immersive experiences, and inclusive competitions, Honda Modif Contest continues to inspire new generations of Indonesian motorcycle enthusiasts and builders. The contest stands as a benchmark for creativity, community engagement, and craftsmanship within the country’s thriving motorcycle culture.
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