The Pulse is Back: Red Star Motorcycle Expo 2026
The Pulse is Back: Red Star 2026
Think the glory days of bike shows are over? Think again. The Red Star Motorcycle Expo 2026 just shattered expectations with a sold out grid and electric energy. From the game-changing debut of QJ Motor to KTM’s massive reveals and the personal stories behind the machines, the SA biking scene is officially revitalized. Is this the new blueprint for expos? Dive into our exclusive highlights, gallery, and what’s next for the industry.
There were lots of excited people streaming through the various exhibitions
If you were anywhere near the Delmas area this past weekend, you likely heard the unmistakable mechanical symphony of thousands of engines converging on Red Star Raceway. The weekend of January 30th to February 1st didn't just mark another date on the calendar; it signaled the definitive growth of the South African motorcycle show.
At RidezSA, we’ve been following the industry’s recovery closely. For years, the traditional "big hall" expos were a casualty of the Covid-19 lockdowns and a tightening economy. They became prohibitively expensive for a stressed market and, for a while, it felt like the "glory days" of bike shows were gone for good.
Suzuki Motorcycles SA jump started this show 3 years ago
From Humble Beginnings to a Sold-Out Grid
The resuscitation of this scene is a story of grit and collaboration. Back in 2023, Stuart Baker and the Suzuki Motorcycles SA team approached AMID Director Arnold Olivier with a plan: use their Suzuki Safety Track Day as a foundation for a new kind of show.
Three years later, that "humble beginning" has exploded. 2026seems to be the official turning point. This year, exhibitor space wasn't just filled, it was over subscribed. Walking the lanes, you could feel the electricity of brands standing toe to toe. It was a beautiful, crowded chaos of chrome and carbon fiber
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The QJ Motor stand was one of the busiest for the better part of both days.
The Stars of the Show
The QJ Motor stand was arguably the busiest of the weekend. Making their first public SA appearance alongside sister brand BRC, the public was eager to see if the bikes lived up to the media hype. The verdict? People were genuinely impressed by the build quality and more importantly blown away that the competitive pricing was actually real.
KTM also drew massive crowds. Despite a tumultuous couple of years, the "Ready to Race" brand proved they haven't lost their edge, revealing the KTM 1390 Adventure semi-auto and the stunning 990 RC 8.
The new KTM RC8 990 drew the biggest admirers
KTM drew a lot of attention with the reveal of 2 new models at the show
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A very Proud Thomas watches on with a huge grin as young Troy tells us of his plans to try out for the Spanish Championship this year
The People Behind the Machines
One of the best parts of Red Star is the personal connections. We caught up with Thomas and Troy Tonking of KTM Centurion. They showed us their 2023 RC8 track spec machine and filled us in on Troy’s plans to try out for the Spanish championship this year. Watching the onboard footage of young Troy pinning that RC8 around Red Star, it’s clear the kid is lightning fast. We’re rooting for him!
Everywhere we turned, the feedback was glowing. Brett Skolmen (Insta360), Martin (X-Ramp), and Geoff Ireland (Tromox) all reported a highly successful show. The crowds didn’t just show up; they engaged.
Brett from FotoFirst was doing roaring trade with his Insta360's
Martin from X-Ramp had an exceptionally busy weekend, and was all smiles.
Geoff Ireland attracted a lot of attention with his electric bike brand, Tromox
Patrick from Cape Town made a detour past the show on his way to Honda Wing George
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Lots of local Motorcycle Clubs used the Expo as a breakfast run venue
Why It Works
The "new" expo model is a winner. Red Star Raceway now sponsors the exhibition space, while AMID charges a nominal fee to cover the basics. Most importantly? Entrance for the public is absolutely free. To handle the sweltering heat, Red Star’s in-house catering, The Square, was bolstered by a fleet of food and beverage vendors. It was a "lekker" day out—great bikes, cold drinks, and a community that felt more alive than ever.
So much to see...
Insta369 was a very popular exhibit at the Expo
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Cancervive and Suzuki SA are a partnership made in good deeds
The Road Ahead
The growth of the Red Star Expo has been exponential. In fact, seeing the success here, we reckon this format has enough momentum to head south. Much like NAMPO, there is a massive appetite for a second show in the Cape, the biking communities in George and Cape Town would turn out in droves.
If 2026 was the turning point, 2027 is going to be "flippen amazing."
Keep an eye on our social medias for more event updates. Now, enough reading, go ride your bike somewhere cool.
The parking started filling up early with bikes and cars
There were a good selection of food and beverage stalls that were well supported
Meet your RidezSA team, Shaun Wilders, Sean Hendley and Janine Wilders
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Words and Photographs by:
Sean Ridez
From Grease Monkey to Industry Pro: A Life Under the Hood:
They say in Afrikaans, "die koeël is deur die kerk".... the bullet is through the church. Once it’s done, there’s no turning back. For Sean Hendley, that moment arrived in 1974. At just four years old, he was already in the garage with his father, swinging spanners to build his very first motorcycle, a late 60s Yamaha 50cc FS1. The mechanical bug didn't just bite; it left a permanent mark.
Sean grew up in an era where speed was earned through grease and grit. Raised by a single father who balanced the demands of three children with a passion for machinery, Sean learned early on how to "make a plan." Their garage was a sanctuary of gifted projects, from a restored Norton 750 Commando to a BSA 250 Bantam. By the age of ten, Sean wasn’t just riding, he was diagnosing.
His first Yamaha eventually met its end in a rubble skip in the mid 80s, but only after a lifetime of abuse. He pushed that small road bike through Moto-X tracks until the chassis snapped, frequently seeking out neighbours to weld the frame back together. When the two stroke engine seized from long stretches of wide open throttle, Sean would hammer the piston out with a block of wood and polish the internals with toothpaste, a resourceful substitute for the Brasso he couldn't afford.
The 1980s served as a masterclass in automotive hustle. Sean rebuilt a rusted out Toyota 1200 bakkie so effectively his cash strapped Dad traded it for cash and a '68 Ford Escort Station Wagon that had been salvaged from a chicken coop. While his school mates spent their winter holidays tanning on the KZN South Coast, Sean spent his days in a workshop, stripping the Escort’s seized motor to the crankshaft and professionally fitting old carpets to replace the bird ravaged interior. By the time school resumed, his friends had tans, but Sean had a high performance daily driver.
This relentless hands on education continued through his youth, from dropping the engine out of the family’s '69 VW Kombi to rebuilding the Jaguar XJ6 differential on his father’s custom Ford Transit van. Even his marriage has mechanical roots. Shortly after his military service, he met his wife and helped her source parts to rebuild her recovered stolen motorcycle. Today, they still ride and wrench together.
With over 25 years in the motorcycle industry, Sean has transitioned from the garage floor to the forefront of automotive media. Having tested and reviewed countless bikes and cars, he brings a perspective that can't be taught in a journalism class. Because he has spent over a million kilometres in the saddle and a lifetime under the hood, he can instinctively sense when a machine is truly special, merely adequate, or simply putting on a show. Sean’s reviews are defined by this "insider" honesty, no candy coating and no brand bashing, just the raw truth from a man who knows exactly how the gears turn.