Anaheim, Adrenaline, and Aftermarket: The AIMExpo 2026 Recap

 

Each year, the North American powersports industry turns to AIMExpo for the first true indicator of what the upcoming riding season will bring. For 2026, that anticipation was palpable as the industry wasted no time kicking off the year—converging in sunny Southern California just days after the new year began. Held at the Anaheim Convention Center, AIMExpo offered an early look at the latest technology, evolving rider trends, and the brands shaping the next wave of the powersports aftermarket. The week’s energy peaked with an action-packed night at Anaheim 1 Supercross, the season-opening race that perfectly capped a fast, fresh start to the year.

Built by Brands 

With more than 400 exhibitors on the floor, AIMExpo 2026 leaned into substance. The first steps into the main hall were met with a curated showcase of the latest rider technology, providing attendees with a preview of what could be found spread through the rest of the show. 

Hands-on interaction defined the experience. Not only could dealers and enthusiasts get up close and personal with new gear, but Moto Trainer returned with their racing simulators, consistently pulling crowds, with attendees lining up to chase lap times and talk racing. Electrification continued to gain ground as an expanding entry point into powersports with a growing presence of E-bike brands. AIMExpo carved out a dedicated custom build section, adding creativity and craftsmanship to the floor.

New bike buzz found its place, including the CB750 Hornet added to Honda’s E Clutch lineup, and Kawasaki’s updated Z900RS paired with its supercharged Teryx SxS. It was hard to miss Moto Morini’s 2026 model launch presentation, which was punctuated by the local high school marching band. The buzz around Triumph came in the form of the latest 400cc models, the first sighting of the Trident 800, and white fur. Globe-trotting K9 co-pilot Whimsey made her grand entrance perched on the pillion of Greg and Jess Stone’s lavender-wrapped Triumph Tiger. Posted in their booth for the week, showgoers were naturally intrigued by the striking pup, the Stones’ travels, and their custom dog supplies.

Through the maze of booths and branding, we were able to catch up with our extended roster of partner brands. EVS drew steady traffic with rider protection rooted in racing credibility. At the same time, Yuasa created one of the most welcoming spaces on the show floor with a warm, cabin-inspired booth that encouraged longer conversations. Continental Tire and EBC Brakes reinforced the importance of dependable performance components across street, dirt, and competition segments. 

In the Thick of It 

Turn 14 Distribution showed up at AIMExpo 2026 in a big way, with a booth that reflected the depth of our powersports lineup. We brought our premium exclusive brands plus a wave of their new 2026-ready products, giving dealers and partners a clear look at what we’re focused on now and what’s coming next.

Product momentum was a constant theme under the Turn 14 banner. Answer Racing led the charge with the debut of its limited edition 50th Anniversary line, setting the tone for the wave of launches across the categories. The rest of the roster followed suit, including ProTaper’s vibration-dampening handlebar mounts and expanded trackside support products, to a fresh line of suspension offerings from DragonFire Racing. From the street to the shop, Kuryakyn, BikeMaster, and Biker’s Choice introduced a host of V-twin-focused products designed for any rider. The display was rounded out with additional offerings from Speed and Strength, QuadBoss, and Twin Power, offering a snapshot of Turn 14’s continued support across the powersports industry.

Our sprawling section was more than just a parts display. From Hayden Deegan and Malcom Stewart replica dirt bikes to a trio of V-twins and a utility-focused UTV, the entire fleet was on full display. Headlining the lineup were the BILSTEIN x Turn 14 Distribution X3 build and a limited-edition 2020 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy loaded with Kuryakyn components—standout builds that drew attention from every corner of the powersports world.

Moving Moments 

New products and Turn 14 Distribution’s ever-expanding line card weren’t the only attractions we brought to California. From the booth and beyond, we stacked our schedule to keep AIMExpo focused on what moves this industry. 

Starting strong, Answer Racing Founder Eddie Cole was invited to the booth to celebrate 50 years of the brand. Eddie reflected on five decades of racing history before being surprised with a framed 50th Anniversary Answer jersey to commemorate the milestone. The moment drew legendary figures into the booth, including Jeremy McGrath, Scott Sepkovic, and Nick Wey, adding further weight to the celebration. 

That momentum carried into the evening with the AIMExpo Industry Party powered by Turn 14 Distribution. Free food and drinks are hard to resist, which was reflected in the packed event. A DJ maintained the party’s pulse with conversations that stretched well beyond shop talk and business cards. The stakes were raised when National Powersports Auctions took the stage, offering partygoers the chance to score coveted memorabilia while contributing to a trio of noble causes. The night felt more like a natural extension of the show floor, built around camaraderie rather than presentation. 

Day two kicked off with a sponsored breakfast for our media partners before the show doors opened, providing a more intimate look at the latest product launches.

Turn 14 Distribution’s dealer support continued at the Digital and Tech Center booth, where senior business partner integrations manager Dan Ziegler presented on maximizing availability and revenue. The discussion walked through how dealers can evaluate inventory across multiple distributors by weighing fulfillment speed, total cost, manufacturer inventory, and real-time data.

With both questions and coffee cups refilled, the energy shifted back to the show floor as Turn 14 welcomed Supercross champion and ProTaper rider Malcolm Stewart to the booth. It didn’t take long for fans to line up for a chance to connect and walk away with signed memorabilia from Supercross royalty.

From the Show Floor to the Starting Gate

As AIMExpo wrapped, the week didn’t slow down; it shifted gears. Just down the road, the start of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross was just getting started. The conversations and connections built on the show floor carried straight into the arena through the buzz of bikes, and the sweet smell of race fuel filled the air.

Turn 14 Distribution hosted dealers and VIP guests in its box, creating a shared space to experience the opening round together. Between gate drops, conversations flowed as naturally as they had earlier in the week, reinforcing the ties between the business of powersports and the sport itself.

The night delivered instant drama, with an early red flag resetting the field after a multi-rider incident. Once racing resumed, the stadium surged back to life with Eli Tomac taking control of the 450 event. The 250 class witnessed a milestone moment with Max Anstie clinching a historic victory. More than the results, Anaheim 1 capped the week with a reminder of why the industry shows up in the first place, turning conversation into connection under the lights.

Start Your Engines 

AIMExpo and Supercross Anaheim 1 were the true start of the 2026 riding season, especially for Turn 14. The early start this year runs parallel to our continued respect and dedication to the powersports industry. With each year that passes, we’re eager to build on our momentum to drive the future. From celebrating 50 years of Answer Racing and gathering Supercross legends around shared history to breaking ground on new technologies, AIMExpo is about supporting the industry at every level, and most importantly, powering your passion.