HB_Issue2_2026_Preview_issuu

PREVIEW

SUBSCRIBE HOTBIKE.COM

IS BUELL’S NEW SUPER CRUISER THE NEW PLATFORM FOR CUSTOMIZING?

VOL. 2 2026 • HOTBIKE.COM

CNCPT MOTO

SLEEK SOFTAIL VOL. 2 2026 • HOTBIKE.COM

VO L 2 _ 2 0 2 6 — E ST. 1 97 1

ON THE COVER We spotted this new Low Rider S turned Cafe Racer at the Bike Shed Moto Show in London and just knew we had to have it.

PHOTO: SAM BARHAM

CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS FROM THE EDITOR........................................... 12 HOT BIKE: TESTED............................................ 16 NEW RIDING GEAR AT HOT BIKE HQ.............. 18 NEW PRODUCTS............................................... 96

FEATURE

RETURN OF THE MACK S&S CYCLE’S BRETT SMITH IS A MAN ON A MISSION......................................................... 20

BIKES

A LOW RIDER S IN CAFE RACER TRIM CNCPT MOTO’S SUPERCHARGED SOFTAIL..... 24 COMING TO AMERICA WINSTON YEH X MAX HAZAN SOFTAIL COLLAB............................................... 36 THE NEW CUSTOMIZING PLATFORM? BUELL’S SUPER CRUISER GOES CUSTOM....... 40 TWISTED TIME STÉPHANE GRAND’S REIMAGINED PANHEAD.......................................................... 52 FOREVER RAD’S RIPPER IF THE BONES BRIGADE RODE A DYNA.......... 56 THE 180HP M8 FXR TRASK PERFORMANCE’S NICKELPLATED BEAST.................................................. 62 DICHOTOMY: TRADITION VS. MODIFICATION HOT DOCK CUSTOMS’ KEIJI KAWAKITA........... 70

TECHNICAL

THE ULTIMATE IN TOURING COMFORT SADDLEMEN ROADSOFA, BACKREST & HEAT............................................................... 81 MID-LENTH M8 PIPE, ANYONE? HORSEPOWER INC.’S NEW STAINLESS BEAUTY........................................... 86 BUILDING A BETTER M8: PART 100 (WE LOST COUNT) OR GIVING IT A BRAKE … THAT ACTUALLY WORKS!........................................... 90 TECH TIPS W/ DANNY WILSON TORQUE SPECS,. THREADLOCKER & MORE............................................................. 94

ISSUE 2 / 2026 3

TWO CENTS

MY WILD LOVE WENT RIDING...

W

hile I sit and look at the blank page on the final day of production I usually just start typing and all kinds of shit comes spewing onto the page. It starts as utter nonsense.

Then it takes shape. After editing, deleting, moving things around, I get a few trusted people to read it, and that’s it. For some reason I need deadlines to feel creative. It’s just my way. It’s stressful, but I’ve learned to incorporate the pressure into my process. Do you ever thrive on chaos, stress to git’er done? I’ve managed to do it that way for over 20 years. Is it the best method? I don’t know. Does it work for me? Yep. And if it ain’t broke…

I sit at my computer and I’m reminded of why I like to write. It’s therapeutic. My world has been flipped upside down recently, not in a bad way, more of a parallel universe kinda way. I guess that’s what happens when you have a baby. You think I’d have been mentally prepared since this is now my third child, but maybe humans mentally block out the early days because they can be difficult. Can anyone else relate? Has that happened to you? Are you there? Is anyone actually reading this?

Or maybe I killed too many brain cells when I was younger. Or my early onset-Dimensia is kicking in. Long story short, I forgot how much work bringing a baby into the world is. But this is it. This is why we’re here. It’s our duty. And it’s absolutely worth it. That said, my wife and I welcomed our brand-new addition to the Mastagni clan, Dylan Drew Mastagni, (get this) on April 1, 2026. And it was by total surprise! I guess that was Dylan’s way of bustin’ our balls right out of the gate. Nice one, son! But he’s a happy, healthy, grunty, very cute I might add (thanks to my wife), baby boy and we are so incredibly grateful for him.

But, I have a business to run and a magazine to produce and a motorcycle event to plan, so I’m juggling a lot at the moment.

Somedays I wake up and look at the mountain in front of me and I ask myself, “Self, how in the hell are you going to climb this?” He never says anything right away. He’s like a Jedi. He just listens. And at the most appropriate time, he answered: “Just try your best and it will work out if it’s meant to.” I told you, he’s a Jedi. So that’s what I’m doing.

The last few months have been a blur, but the sun is shining, the weather is warm, and it’s time to get out there and do the thing I love most: Ride. While it’s been more limited than I would like, but I’ll take what I can get. It’s incredibly therapeutic too. It’s a lifesaver, actually. I know you all can relate, because as you know, you never return home the same as you when you left when you go for a ride.

And I’ve been riding something very damn cool lately!

I’m happy to report I welcomed another new baby to the stable– one of the coolest bikes out right now–the Buell Super Cruiser!

Yep, I just received my very own Super Cruiser a couple of weeks ago. The timing was perfect. And let me tell ya, this bike gets my dick hard (too much?). I feel young again (I’m 47). Like when I first started out on dirt bikes. That thrill. That insatiable desire to test my limits, my fearlessness. It’s returned. It’s there. I’m renewed. And after just a few rides, I’m in love.

I’ve been a big supporter of what Buell has done with the Super Cruiser from the beginning. I thought it was a cool move to tap Roland Sands Design to create the Super Cruiser concept back in 2023. And I took my first ride on the Super Cruiser v1 prototype in

12 HOTBIKE.COM

I recently welcomed two bundles of joy into my life. And both are pretty damn sweet! Photo: My firsrt bundle of joy, Brody Mastagni

Sturgis in 2024, then again in Daytona 2025 on the v2. And I’ve been watching Buell very closely this whole time. I see a lot of parallels with their business and ours. I’m reminded of what we’ve done with Hot Bike: Revived the brand because we believe in it. Because we see its potential. Just like Buell has done. Almost around the same time too.

That alone creates a certain fondness toward Buell, and its CEO, Bill Melvin, because of his high energy and his overall approach to the company. He’s a fan first, and a business owner second. You need that passion to revive something and make it great. And they’re definitely on the right track with their first release under Melvin.

The Super Cruiser is currently being produced and delivered to customers across the nation for those who placed deposits. If you’re one of the lucky ones to have received this new motorcycle, congrats. For those still chomping at the bit to get one, be patient.

The Super Cruiser is definitely worth the wait.

President/Editor-In-Chief JORDAN MASTAGNI The Real Boss ASHLEY MASTAGNI Creative Director ROBERT MARTIN

CONTRIBUTORS KAZUO MATSUMOTO, DANNY WILSON, ROB FORTIER, ALEX CHAPMAN, ANTHONY GONZALEZ, DANNY WILSON, BEN NICHOLS, JAXX JANELLE, MORGAN GALES, AARON ROMO, SAM BARHAM SPONSORS ARLEN NESS, AVON GRIPS, BATTERY TENDER, BILTWELL, BUELL, EAGLERIDER, FEULING PARTS, GBRAKES, HORSEPOWER INC., KEN’S FACTORY, KRAUS MOTOR CO., LAW TIGERS, MOTOAMERICA, MOTUL USA, MÜLLER MOTORCYCLE, NBT CLOTHING, ORIGINAL GARAGE MOTO, RAMJET RACING, S&S CYCLE, SADDLEMEN, SAWICKI SPEED, SIMPSON MOTORCYCLE HELMETS, SPEAKEASY ORIGINAL, THRASHIN’ SUPPLY, TRASK PERFORMANCE, UNREAL MOTO

GEAR: RIDING GEAR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BILTWELL! 20TH ANNIVERSARY LIDS FROM THE GOOD TIMES

LANE SPLITTER

GRINGO S

F

or two decades, Biltwell Inc. has built a reputation around producing motorcycle helmets that blend retro styling, modern safety standards, and rider-focused functionality without the boutique-level price tag. To celebrate that milestone, the company has released its limited-edition 20th Anniversary Helmet Collection, a six-model lineup that honors the brand’s roots while showcasing how far its helmet program has evolved over the last 20 years.

The anniversary collection spans nearly every category of rider in Biltwell’s catalog. Included in the release are the Lane Splitter, Gringo SV, Gringo S, Gringo, Bonanza, and the all-new Tahoe openface helmet—each finished in matching commemorative colorways and graphics that tie the lineup together visually. Every model features custom anniversary artwork, a brown synthetic comfort liner, and a special 20th Anniversary badge that gives the collection a collectible feel without sacrificing real-world rideability.

At the aggressive end of the lineup sits the Lane Splitter, Biltwell’s performance-minded full-face helmet known for its angular styling and substantial ventilation. The Gringo SV and Gringo S continue carrying the torch for retro-inspired full-face lids, combining vintage aesthetics with modern safety certifications, shield systems, and upgraded interiors. Meanwhile, the standard Gringo keeps things stripped-down and classic for riders who prefer simplicity with timeless style.

One of the biggest highlights of the collection is the introduction of the new Tahoe helmet. Positioned somewhere between the minimalist Bonanza and the more substantial Gringo S, the Tahoe is Biltwell’s first open-face helmet engineered to meet both DOT and ECE R22.06 certification standards. It features an integrated bubble shield, lightweight injection-molded ABS shell construction, and upgraded comfort materials intended for shorter rides, daily cruising, or riders who want open-face freedom without giving up modern safety credentials.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Bonanza remains Biltwell’s pure open-face classic. Lightweight, simple, and unmistakably old-school, it continues to appeal to riders chasing stripped-down custom style while still meeting DOT safety standards.

What makes this 20th Anniversary collection stand out isn’t radical reinvention—it’s consistency. Biltwell stayed true to the styling and functionality that made these helmets popular in the first place while adding subtle commemorative details that celebrate two decades of custom motorcycle culture. From aggressive performance baggers to vintage choppers and everyday V-twins, the lineup offers something for nearly every type of rider while reinforcing the brand’s long-standing “built to ride” philosophy.

GRINGO SV

GRINGO

BONANZA

SOURCE: BILTWELL INC. // biltwellinc.com 18 HOTBIKE.COM

TAHOE

40 HOTBIKE.COM

BUELL’S SUPER CRUISER ERA HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN Catching up with Buell’s production, custom bikes and more WORDS: JORDAN MASTAGNI PHOTOS: PROVIDED BY BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO. ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT MARTIN

RIDE WITH US

5 BOISE, ID

4 FORT HALL, ID

SEPT. 7–11 2026 SPRINGVILLE, UT 3

2 GRAND JUNCTION, CO

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE INFO!

1 DURANGO, CO

WWW.HOTBIK E .CO M

This is a preview of this publication.

To get full access to all issues of Hot Bike, please visit hotbike.com Or visit your local Barnes and Noble