“The trade shows are tailored to the interests of active motorcyclists.”

An Interview with Hans-Jürgen Weigt: 40 Years of Passion and New Developments in the Motorcycle Industry

MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND will take place from March 5 to 8, 2026, at the Dortmund Exhibition Center, and MOTORRAD MESSE LEIPZIG will take place from February 6 to 8, 2026, at the Leipzig Exhibition Center. Together, they kick off the new motorcycle season and offer motorcycle fans everything that makes their hearts race: motorcycles and accessories, apparel, customization, an exciting program, and deals on motorcycle tours.

Dortmund, December 18, 2025 – Hans-Jürgen Weigt has been shaping the motorcycle scene for four decades. As the founder of MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND and the MOTORRAD MESSE LEIPZIG, he can look back on an eventful success story. In this interview, Hans-Jürgen Weigt not only recounts the early days of both trade shows and shares personal anecdotes, but also discusses the long-standing collaboration between Messe Dortmund and TWIN Veranstaltungs GmbH. This partnership combines Messe Dortmund’s 100 years of experience with TWIN Veranstaltungs GmbH’s comprehensive industry expertise, thereby laying the foundation for the continued development of the events. Visitors can look forward to a familiar yet vibrant trade show experience in the future as well.

Why are these two trade shows considered the ideal way to kick off the season for the motorcycle industry?

The trade shows are tailored to the interests of active motorcyclists and offer the industry exactly the target audience that can evaluate its new products and recognize high quality. This has been true for Dortmund from the very beginning, with its early March date, when the spring sun occasionally shines and bikers start thinking about their first rides of the season. The latest motorcycle models are ready to ride at both shows for test rides; these are not pre-production prototypes that are out of touch with real-world use. The expert advisors at the booths come from the retail and manufacturing sectors. Both venues invite visitors to engage in “gas-fueled conversations” in a casual, meet-up atmosphere.

How did your connection to the motorcycle scene begin? What were your first experiences with it?

If you grow up in the relatively rural Sauerland region, a motorized two-wheeler is still the easiest way to achieve personal mobility and enjoy a certain degree of freedom in your leisure time. Accordingly, many people rode mopeds. Their top speed could reach a good 50 kilometers per hour—well within the moped range. Starting at age 16, there were Maicos, Kreidlers, and Zündapps. Incidentally, well-preserved examples of these can still be seen today at the Dortmund Motorcycle Show at the club booths in Hall 5.

Later, as a journalism student in Dortmund, I continued to get around on two wheels. It didn’t take long for the idea to occur to me to cover the topic of motorcycles in my writing as well. That led to the founding of *Der Syburger*. It was of interest to dealers because we reached exactly their target audience in the region. For readers, *Der Syburger* offered a useful resource for the hobby of motorcycling, featuring regional news, test rides of the latest models, a style of writing rooted in the “Pott” (Ruhr Valley) dialect, and plenty of classified ads. Much like the Dortmund Motorcycle Show, the magazine became a “cult” favorite over the years. What began as a startup has since grown into one of Germany’s largest specialized publishers in the motorcycle sector, with renowned magazines such as “Tourenfahrer,” “Motorrad News,” “Motorrad Gespanne,” and many other publications.

What events or experiences from the past 40 years related to motorcycle shows have stuck with you the most and do you consider them some of the biggest highlights?

There are many anecdotes that would go beyond the scope of this article. What is certainly important and noteworthy is that nothing seriously negative has ever happened at any of the 69 events held so far. Visitors come to the trade shows eager to see the latest innovations, meet many acquaintances, and get great ideas for the new season. The atmosphere at the events is correspondingly positive.

One event that certainly stands out in our memory is Peter Maffey’s appearance at the Dortmund trade show in 2018. We made a substantial donation to his children’s charity, and he personally picked up the check at the trade show. He then stayed for a good two hours and took a long, close look at the latest motorcycles. His son was there with him and immediately picked out a new pair of motorcycle boots. Many visitors, as well as the people on our team, were thrilled by his friendly demeanor and took plenty of selfies with the superstar musician.

Insiders will also find the motorcycle parking lot in front of the halls interesting. In Leipzig, you’ll run into MZ sidecar riders there who set out from the Ore Mountains in early February on mornings when it was minus 20 degrees and climb off their 250s with frozen beard hairs.

In contrast, in Dortmund, when the temperature is 20 degrees, thousands of motorcycles sometimes park all the way up to the large Westfalenhalle, turning the entire area along the B 1 into an impressive motorcycle parking lot.

To what extent does the industry benefit from the enhanced cooperation between Messe Dortmund and TWIN Veranstaltungs GmbH?

We’ve known the Westfalenhallen Group as a cooperative and solution-oriented business partner since 1985. Over the past few months, it has already become clear that the Messe Dortmund team is capitalizing on new opportunities—both in areas such as social media communication and directly on the exhibition grounds—to further optimize exhibitors’ presentations and visitors’ trade show experience. In Dortmund in particular, 2026 new major brands will be participating, and several helmet and apparel suppliers have planned exhibition booths that are nearly twice as large as this year’s.

In your opinion, what trends and innovations will excite the motorcycle industry in the new season?

The global two-wheeler industry is bringing exciting new products to the streets for the coming season. As recent announcements show, riders now have an even wider selection of brands and models to choose from. That’s why it will be especially interesting to see the new models “live” in the exhibition halls and get a firsthand look. Added to this are innovative mobility concepts: scooters as an affordable alternative to cars for city travel and weekend getaways—even for two people. And electric motorcycles for zero-emission riding, with longer ranges, but also as full-fledged motorcycles for ambitious riders. Brands like Continental and IXS are back in Dortmund after a brief hiatus. Many of the well-known exhibitors’ booths are larger than they were this year. It’s worth following the latest updates on the trade show’s social media channels. We’ll be reporting early on new exhibitors, well-known brands, and the latest motorcycle and scooter models on display at the spring trade shows. See you there!

TRADE FAIR AT A GLANCE

MOTORRÄDER DORTMUND Once a year, the Dortmund Exhibition Center becomes a gathering place for motorcycle enthusiasts: MOTORRÄDER Dortmund is one of Germany’s largest motorcycle trade shows. Manufacturers showcase new models, complemented by accessories, apparel, and motorcycle-related services. Stunt shows, test rides, and special exhibitions provide plenty of action and excitement. MOTORRAD MESSE LEIPZIG The MOTORRAD MESSE LEIPZIG is also a highlight of the scene. As a major spring trade show in eastern Germany, it offers a wide variety of models, exciting program highlights, and serves as a meeting place for fans, dealers, and manufacturers alike.

DATE: March 5–8, 2026 ORGANIZER: Messe Dortmund GmbH

TARGET AUDIENCES: Motorcycle enthusiasts and those interested in motorcycles, DIY mechanics, and trade visitors