Inside Art of Speed Malaysia 2025: Where Machines Meet People

In the United States, there are Hot Rods and Choppers. In the United Kingdom, the Café Racer reigns. In Japan, Bosozoku and JDM dominate the streets, while in Germany, it’s all about Stance.

But Malaysia? We are something else entirely. We borrow, we blend, we reinvent. From every corner of the globe, we’ve absorbed these subcultures, added our own multicultural flavour, and shaped a style that is uniquely ours. And once a year, all these passions converge under one banner, the Art of Speed, affectionately known by locals as Hari Raya Kustom (the grand celebration of custom).

A Gathering of Icons

Now in its 14th year, Art of Speed Malaysia 2025 was held on 26 and 27 July at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS), Serdang, Selangor. What started as a gathering of enthusiasts has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated events, marked in calendars not only across Malaysia but also within the international automotive community.

This year’s edition welcomed heavyweight guests from around the world: the legendary Mooneyes crew from Japan, Shige Suganuma, Hiro “Wildman” Ishii, and Hey Murakami, alongside Mark Hawwa, the man behind The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in Australia, and Brendon Vetuskey, Hot Wheels’ own product designer, among others. Their presence reminded everyone that Art of Speed is no longer just Malaysia’s show; it’s a stage recognised worldwide.

Machines With Stories

Across the grounds, collectors and proud owners unveiled their treasures. Cars, pickup trucks, vintage vans, café racers, choppers, bobbers, scooters — machines that don’t just run, but tell stories of craft and character. Even Hot Wheels die-casts were curated with care, proving that passion comes in every scale.

Yet Art of Speed is more than the machinery on display. It’s the community, a true brotherhood rally. Step through the gates and you’re welcomed into a living, breathing motorcycle clubhouse. Food stalls and pop-up vendors line the avenues, selling everything from rare automotive parts and vintage clothing to art, merchandise, and handcrafted keepsakes. It feels less like an exhibition and more like a festival, a one-stop haven for hobbyists, a playground for dreamers, and a reunion for brothers and sisters of the culture.

Treats For The Ears

This year also introduced a refreshing twist with the SoundCircus Takeover 2025. Inside Hall A, the atmosphere shifted from roaring engines to pulsating beats. The line-up carried a mix of nostalgia and modern edge: Noh Salleh & Restore Iboe, Romantic Echoes, Ruffedge, Luqman Podolski, Sabda Alam, Fugo, Iqbal M, Budak Nakal Hujung Simpang, Chronicalz, 53 Universe, Langkawi Dub Club SoundSystem, Mai Tummada, and many more. The result was a sanctuary of sound, a space to chill, connect, and unwind, proving that culture here moves not only on wheels but also through rhythm and melody.

Fourteen Years and Beyond

After fourteen years, Art of Speed has become more than an event. It has grown into a culture of its own, an identity recognised both locally and internationally. It celebrates not just custom machines, but the bonds they create, a reminder that speed is fleeting, but the stories we build around it endure.

And if you missed it this year, don’t worry. The road doesn’t end here. There’s always next year’s ride.