Honda adds a new dimension to its already consolidated European customization contest, Honda Customsin the 2026 edition of Wheels and Waves (Biarritz). In its seventh edition, ten preparations based on the CB750 Hornet and the XL750 Transalp will compete against each other under the same concept: road versus off-road.
New this year, each creation will be analyzed by the designers of the original models, Valerio Aiello (Transalp) and Giovanni Dovis (Hornet)both from Honda’s R&D center in Rome. The contest continues to evolve after years in which different Honda models have served as a canvas for European creativity.
The growth of the contest continues to reflect its popularity: in the summer of 2025, more than 30,000 votes (+19%) and more than 7,300 downloads of personalized wallpapers of the participating motorcycles were registered. The ten motorcycles – five Hornet and five Transalp – can now be seen at Wheels and Waves in Biarritz until June 14, while online voting will remain open throughout the summer.
Honda Customs 2026: Participants in the road mode
White Venom – Honda Germany x Motocrew
‘White Venom’ It is a modern urban street tracker created by the German trainer Motocrew, which incorporates multiple modifications to enhance the sporty and current character of the CB750. Its white paint plays between discretion and visual impact depending on the viewing angle, in contrast to the matte black chassis and the Rotobox Bullet carbon wheels, equipped with Dunlop slick tires.
Wilbers’ custom suspension transforms the Hornet’s stance, while the unique, heat-insulated X-shaped exhaust delivers an aggressive sound to the parallel-twin engine. Visually, White Venom integrates numerous custom components, such as a radically trimmed tail, custom swingarm, handcrafted metal fairing, blade-style brake discs, 3D-printed rear lighting, as well as CNC-machined seatposts and handlebars.
Sting Honey – Honda Poland x Honda Sokół x Steel Choppers
Inspired by the name Hornet, ‘Sting Honey’, Developed by Polish dealer Honda Sokół in collaboration with Steel Choppers, it radically transforms the aesthetics and character of the motorcycle. Its paint, based on a honeycomb structure, offers a deep shine and a high-quality finish, while the rear has been redesigned to accentuate the “sting” of the Hornet with a sharper, more aggressive and dynamic tail.
It is combined with hand-crafted fairings, tank, seat and handlebar mounts, along with elements from other Honda models, such as the CB125R’s headlight integrated into a cafe racer-inspired front fairing and spoked wheels from the X-ADV, resulting in a completely new interpretation of the CB750.
Last Lap – Honda Spain x Stilmoto
With an aesthetic ready to start a World Championship race in the 80s, ‘Last Lap’ It is a tribute to the golden age of motorcycle racing. Developed in-house by Spanish dealer Stilmoto, virtually every aspect of the Hornet has been revised to create a clearly track-oriented preparation.
The racing front fairing has been made from a 40-year-old NOS mold kept in the workshop, while the flat tank and straight-lined tail evoke the eighties style, reinterpreting the iconic HRC Tricolour scheme. A single-sided swingarm and a fully customized exhaust reduce mass in the lower and rear area, emphasizing its sporty character.
Mugen – Honda Portugal x Mototrofa
“Form should follow function, not the other way round” has been the guiding principle in the development of ‘Mugen’by Mototrofa, Honda Portugal dealer. This striking streetfighter stands out visually with its forest green paint applied to the entire body, combined with gold details on the rear wheel, the custom short exhaust and the front fork.
Subtle but powerful improvements are added to its base personality, such as the custom swingarm, MotoGP-inspired carbon front wings, custom keel and an aggressively cut tail. Clip-on handlebars, specific seat, extensive carbon details and a lowered front suspension complete an unmistakable stance.
Concept 2077 – Honda Switzerland x Stark Industries
‘Concept 2077’ It is a futuristic declaration of intentions. It features a bold, future-oriented design thanks to a custom 3D printed bodywork, including a new keel, lower section, redesigned front end and partially faired wheels, completely transforming the image of the CB750 Hornet.
All this is combined with a striking deep candy red paint scheme, enhanced with subtle gold details, achieving a truly distinctive character. On the front, its design and lighting signature create an unmistakable identity, making the Concept 2077 an uncompromising fusion of technology, creativity and advanced design.
Honda Customs 2026: Participants in the off-road mode
Ruth – Honda Austria x Reier Motors
Inspired by the world-famous Baja, ‘Ruth’ It is a true declaration of love for racing motorcycles by Honda Austria and its partner Reier Motors. Developed under a clear approach of high performance, great autonomy and distinctive style, this bike offers a unique interpretation of an adventure enduro.
Rebuilt from the ground up, it features a very different aesthetic to the original Transalp thanks to new fairings in dull purple and neon red tones, complemented by custom headlights and additional lighting systems. A completely custom raised exhaust releases the sound of the twin-cylinder engine, revealing its sporty character.
Ocean Nomad – Honda France x CB77 by Gauvin
‘Ocean Nomad’ is a vision of the coastal lifestyle that combines an adventurous spirit with classic surf culture, all under a nostalgic aesthetic with an aged finish. Its simplified silhouette is achieved by eliminating the front fairings, incorporating a classic round headlight with current LED technology and a new brown leather seat.
This is accompanied by a paint scheme with aged ocean blue, ivory and burnt orange tones on the tank and the remaining panels of the Transalp. The bike is completed with a short exhaust, American-style license plates, side surfboard rack and accessories such as a skateboard and matching surfboard, giving the feeling of a bike with many vivid stories.
ATC750 – Honda Benelux x Anquety Motor Sport
Inspired by the most radical side of Honda’s historic off-road catalogue, the ‘ATC750’ is Honda Benelux and Anquety Motor Sport’s vision of a modern off-road trike. Taking the Transalp’s ability to tackle any terrain to the extreme, the central element of the project is a completely redesigned swingarm, rear axle and axle fixing system, adapted to a profoundly modified transmission.
It is combined with a bespoke body that integrates the massive rear tires and redefines the front end with a custom short screen and a revised auxiliary lighting system. The ATC750 offers an imposing presence and a unique reinterpretation of the Transalp.
Saharja – Honda Italia x DRS Custom
The rally concept ‘Saharja’, Defined as “inspired by the desert, created for travel”, it brings an even more Dakar essence to the base of the Transalp. It features a handcrafted navigation tower (DRS) with digital road book and TFT speedometer, as well as the iconic HRC Tricolor scheme on a redesigned front end with integrated high-performance LED auxiliary lighting.
The wheels and handlebars in a gold finish provide an outstanding level of detail. The one-piece raised seat is combined with CNC-machined aluminum footpegs to improve grip, while handguards, steel side guards (with 8-liter bags) and aluminum skid plates increase protection. Additional hand-made aluminum side tanks, knobby tires and a raised exhaust complete the transformation.
40th Anniversary ’86 Dakar Tribute – Honda UK x CJ Ball
Paying tribute to Cyril Neveu’s victory on the iconic NXR750 in 1986, CJ Ball’s interpretation of the XL750 Transalp conveys authentic Dakar essence. It does so through an elaborate desert-inspired paint scheme true to the aesthetics of the time, accompanied by a black raised dual exhaust system and an upgraded long-travel suspension.
The raised front fender reinforces its off-road focus, while the specific tires and competition numbers complete its racing image. Furthermore, the design subtly integrates a tribute to the founder of the Dakar, Thierry Sabine, with his famous phrase: “A challenge for those who dare, a dream for those who stay.”
After the success of the GB350S live sand sculpture last year, in this edition the urban artist Moka 187 will create unique live works inspired by the motorcycles exhibited at Wheels and Waves, using the surfboards that Honda usually uses as support for preparations.
Honda Customs 2026 will again be available in English, French, German, Italian and Portuguese, with winners announced in late summer.
More information and details on the official website of the event.
