'The Ultimate Motorcycle Festival': Why Moto Craft 2025 Lived up to the Hype

In my 20-plus years attending motorcycle events and races, I thought I’d experienced just about everything, from Daytona Bike Week to covering motocross Nationals for various magazines (those paper things we used to read before iPhones). That was until I stepped foot on the grounds at Base31 located in Prince Edward County, ON, for the second iteration of Moto Craft, an unparalleled celebration of motorcycle culture held August 1st to 3rd, 2025.

Moto Craft 2025: Canada’s Must-Attend Motorcycle Event

Being fully transparent, I’d never heard of Moto Craft; my interest was piqued when chatting with some fellow industry friends, veteran writer of all things power sports Dustin Woods and legendary Canadian off-road racer Lawrence Hacking. They were both planning to attend this year’s event and did an admirable job selling me on the 2024 edition, claiming it was a must-attend for anyone who loves motorcycles. That was all I needed to hear.

Departing from the GTA Saturday morning, August 2nd, I was met with a slightly painful 3-hour drive heading east on Highway 401 thanks to the good ol’  Canadian construction season. All the stress and windshield yelling melted away upon arrival in Prince Edward County. The picturesque countryside dotted with wineries and rolling farm fields makes one ponder why major cities like Toronto and Vancouver garner the highest real-estate values in the country.

Base31 in Prince Edward County Sets the Stage for Riders

Pulling into the gates of the Base31 site, you could quickly see why it was selected as the venue to host die-hard motorcycle enthusiasts. Built on a historic decommissioned WW2 air base, not only did it provide a unique ‘Mad Max’ type setting, but also ample space and asphalt for the thousands set to attend and host the various activities on the schedule. (I even heard on good authority that an authentic WW2 Lancaster Bomber sat dormant in one of the many hangars on site.)

Attractions That Made Moto Craft 2025 Unforgettable

After surveying the grounds, I realized what made Moto Craft so unique; it had just the right mix of a classic motorcycle show paired with some not-so-common yet equally awesome attractions. On the classic side, there were OEM demo rides from Husqvarna, BMW and Ducati, a massive hangar with a plethora of rare vintage bikes on display, the high-revving Harley stunt shows from ‘Highway Heathens’ (touted at Canada’s top Harley stunt crew) pulling off an assortment of burnouts, wheelies and general antics, a nicely stocked food pavilion called ‘The Commissary’, a tattoo booth, and concerts each evening for those who decided to camp on site (more on the camping later).

STR8UP HOOLIGANS Wheelie Machine: Learn to Wheelie Safely

Another unique attraction I’d never witnessed at past shows was what could only be described as a mechanical bull for learning to bust wheelies. The clever staff at STR8UP HOOLIGANS Wheelie Machine affixed a fenderless sport bike with tie straps on the forks while the rear wheel sat on rollers (similar to a Dyno machine) allowing anyone brave enough to crack the throttle a chance at getting vertical and experiencing the sensation of pulling a big ‘12’o’clock’ wheelie, all while staying static in a safe and controlled manor. If the rider went past 90 degrees, the straps would kick in, restraining the bike from flipping over. I must have sat there for 30 minutes just watching people’s faces light up in pure joy once they figured out the balance point and could comfortably get up on the back tire. So cool.

The Wall of Death Stunt Show Debuts in Canada

The standout attraction for me was the infamous ‘Wall of Death’, produced by the American Motor Drome Co., who was making their first-ever appearance on Canadian soil at Moto Craft.

You’ve surely seen footage of this online at many a circus and fair dating back to the early 1900s. It’s basically a 30’ wide wooden cylinder with a 14’ vertical wall enclosed within a tent structure. Spectators stand above watching daredevils zoom around at substantial speeds, relying on centrifugal force and friction to stay upright. The machine of choice is typically a vintage Indian or Harley, often opting for smaller and lighter models thanks to the lighter weight and lower center of gravity they afford. At one point, they even ripped a go-kart! The highlight of the performance was when gob-smacked onlookers were encouraged to hold out cash tips as the daredevils casually sped by, plucking away the donations with ease. The whole experience was pure nostalgia to a bygone era, and for the few minutes in the tent, it felt like we travelled back in time 100 years, which is clearly the aesthetic the American Motor Drome Co. is going for.

On-site Camping at Moto Craft is a Win for Every Motorcycle Enthusiast

Last but certainly not least, the on-site camping was a nice touch to enhance the festival vibes. With local hotels fetching hundreds of dollars a night in Prince Edward County, the $120 per site fee seemed quite reasonable. This figure could also be split between 4-6 people, making it a real steal. Cost is not the only benefit to staying on site; with activities running from morning to night, it ensures you wouldn’t miss a thing and can get a little extra shut-eye. There were also RV sites ranging from $250-$450, including hookups if needed.

Adventure Rides and Off-Road Experiences at Moto Craft 2025

Other highlights I wasn’t able to cover more in-depth without making this story 5000 words were:

-Pre-mapped (via GPS/GPX files) adventure rides ranging from 200-300 kms, one utilizing paved twisty roads with scenic lookouts and the other more geared to adventure bikes with gravel, trails and backcountry thrills.

-The TerreMX Trail Ride Zone, an on-site off-road experience built right on the grounds of Base31, mixing motocross and single-track terrain. Participants were welcome to bring their own machine or try out the world’s most powerful and cutting-edge electric motocross bike, the Stark Varg. This is one I really regret missing out on, as I’ve seen many a video on social media of these things doing backflips and other crazy stunts with basically no sound short of a faint whirl from the electric motor.

Why Moto Craft Belongs on Every Rider’s Bucket List

As the sun was starting to dip into the horizon, Lawrence, Dustin and I were grabbing a bite to eat in The Commissary, and open tables were scarce. As we looked around, eyeing seating for 3, we heard a voice shout, “Come sit here, there’s room". It was a guy sitting with his buddy, who was completely covered in tats, including several on his face. We crowded around the picnic table, and the dude couldn’t have been nicer—asking where we were from and what our backgrounds were relating to motorcycles. It really struck me at that point how riding bikes is so much more than twisting the throttle. It’s a sense of community and shared passion, like we belong to a secret club that you only know about if you ride. In most situations at a public venue, you wouldn’t think someone who looks like they belong in a gang or fresh out of prison would be striking up a pleasant conversation, but when at a bike show, you know you’re all there for the shared love of all things motorcycles.

This is why events like Moto Craft are so special and important to keep this community thriving. Thanks to the organizers for putting on a killer event. I plan to attend all 3 days next year with a camper!

For more information, visit www.motocraftshow.com.

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.