Custom motorcycle culture arrives in Cambodia, little by little
Quality bespoke bikes are beginning to appear on the streets of Phnom Penh, a movement spearheaded by bike builder and lifestyle brand Moto Cambodge
A row of parked motorbikes is hardly a rarity in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh – roads there are choked with the spluttering machines. But on one sleepy Sunday morning, it was a sight to stop the traffic.
On a leafy street, almost 100 gleaming custom and classic motorcycles, including Harley-Davidsons, Hondas and vintage Vespas, lined the road, each accompanied by a dapper rider. Having had their first Cambodian get-together last September, the owners were gearing up for the worldwide Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – an annual charity event started in 2012 with the aim of raising awareness of and funds for prostate cancer.
The variety of bikes on display is indicative of a movement that is slowly witnessing quality, custom-made bikes join the army of battered Honda Dreams and Scoopys on Cambodia’s roads.
“One of most interesting things has been how large the custom bike scene is now,” says Justin Stewart, co-founder of Moto Cambodge, a custom bike builder and lifestyle brand which organised the ride. When he first landed in Cambodia from Australia six years ago, there were just two or three to be spotted in the city, he says.
Moto Cambodge is spearheading the trend. It was launched three years ago to satisfy the craving of three motorheads: Stewart, Paul Freer and Patrick Uong. Fuelled by their passion for breathing new life into their two-wheeled toys, they also wanted to share it with the country.
