The numbers exceed all expectations, but they say a lot, not everything. At the heart of BFI’s enormous popularity are the credibility and increasingly rigorous work of the organizers, the Persello family, the soul of Custom publisher; free entry and the location on the calendar and in the territory. The long Ascension Day weekend, from May 9 to 12, welcomes the opening of the tourist season and, thanks to a summer sun, brings many motorcyclists from all over Europe and beyond to Lignano, with almost sold-out capacity. BFI, which this year also had the pleasure of having showgirl and actress Justine Mattera as its godmother, confirms its role as a driving event of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, generating a significant economic impact that this year could exceed 20 million euros (it was 18 in 2022).
Numbers are not everything, it was said. At the Biker Fest International, enthusiasts willingly return because they know they will find a friendly atmosphere and an increasingly heterogeneous audience, also attracted by the numerous entertainment opportunities provided by an increasingly comprehensive offer, which for years has gone far beyond the “welcome bikers” philosophy. The orientation towards the two-wheeler market and the general public is increasingly finding favor among motorcyclists, as demonstrated by the 5,000 road tests carried out over three days: a number that makes BFI one of the most popular demonstration centers in Europe and an unmissable meeting point for brands looking to promote the year’s innovations at the most important moment.
The grand motors party highlighted the beauty of the region with MotoTours, a series of itineraries dedicated to the numerous motorcyclists, while pleasing off-road enthusiasts of the “old guard” with a double-heat edition (day and night) of the already traditional Tassellata Ride. It brought together 537 American cars at the spectacular 29th US Car Reunion, the main Italian meeting reserved for cars with stars and stripes, alongside the present and future represented by e-Mobility, and the past of vintage 50cc 2-stroke cars, with the absolute novelty of the 50cc Fever Fest. It crowned its “Miss” with the Pin Up Contest, kept the fun high with off-road exhibitions of Ape Cross, Garden Tractors, and 4×4, and made the audience go wild to the sound of 11 rock concerts, considering only the live ones on the Main Stage of the Village. The Saturday Light Fever, the thrilling Saturday parade involving thousands of motorcycles, once again thrilled bikers and spectators with an simply unbelievable turnout.
Staying true to itself, BFI introduces new elements every year that help enrich it with new points of interest. Like the Chicano Show, dedicated to Mexican-style customized Harley-Davidsons, one of the most popular trends of the moment. The event, by invitation only, further elevated the quality of the most historic Custom Bike Show in Italy (first edition in 1987), which brings together the best custom realities of the Italian Motorcycle Championship every year on the launch ramp of the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. The jury for this edition also included representatives from the Twin Club MC of Norrtälje, which organizes the most historic event on the continent since 1971 in the Swedish city of the same name.
For the success of this edition, the organizers would like to thank the numerous car manufacturers, economic operators, local authorities, motorcycle clubs, sponsors SMP, Bardhal and Metzeler, and above all, the crowd of enthusiasts who helped make BFI the number one outdoor motorcycle event in Italy and one of the most important in Europe. And as in all good stories, the end of the 38th Biker Fest International already announces the anticipation of the third edition of the Italian Bike Week, scheduled from September 12 to 15.
Source: Moto.it
