7:45 and 170 kilometers to go. Stevie Nicks was belting out
Go Your Own Way over the loudspeaker at the truck stop and I was half way to this year’s
Motorcycle Super Show. Dreams of
new gloves were dancing in my head and I have to admit I was heady.
The rain stopped and it was finally light outside. I managed to park closer to the building than ever before. All looked innocent from the outside then
“Holy crowd Batman”…who knew? I made it just in time to line up inside with about a thousand other people waiting for the doors to open at ten. 26 minutes, a half kilometer line up later and I was walking into
“North Americas Largest Retail Show For Motorcycle Enthusiasts.” I just wanted a new pair of gloves.
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| 1982 Yamaha Virago 920 owned by Ron Paladino |
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| 2005 MV Agusta: World's Sexiest Bike (In some people's opinion!) |
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| 1927 Zenith 680 Side Car |
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| 1912 Flying Merkel |
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| 1953 Vincent "Black Shadow" |
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| 1939 Ariel Square 4 |
I met up with Ron, one of my ‘moto-mentors,’ who guided me through the vintage section; ‘
A Century of Motorcycles’ (complete with commentary.)
In the ‘
Industry Showcase’ section there were more than a few new things to look at … (with more commentary) – “Hey, there’s some gloves.” Push, shove, jostle – “Forget it!”
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Kawasaki 225 horsepower sport bike
("Inspired by the Clingon warship design ... and you want to cling on when you twist the throttle!") |
Then on to ogle over all things overly farkled, spectacularly sparkled and otherwise outlandishly customized … what the ---- in the ‘Custom and Chopper’ section. (We did, however, both agree there was something strangely creative, artistic and oddly fascinating about these machines.)
The showrooms were packed with so much to see and so many people looking. I sat on one bike and immediately had visions of an entire row of brand new motorcycles toppling like dominos. “That’s it!”
I drove away, my senses overloaded … and no new gloves! Do I really need them?
Naw, I'm sure that you can get 'nother year out of 'em.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting up with the crowds just to post pictures for those of us too far from any Moto show.
You're welcome Richard ... I kind of like the excitement the crowds create it adds to the show ambiance! As for the gloves, I'm kind of attached to them now (but I think they still make the same ones if I want them!)
DeleteYou captured a lot of bling on the show. Love the flying Merkel (It doesn't come with any relation to our German Chancellor or does it?). Personally I find these fairs rather exhausting, but I still want to go there every once a while.
ReplyDeleteAs for the gloves... looks like they have reached there expiry date. But you seemed to have liked (and used) them to the max. Why not buy the same model again?
Can't say what the Merkel's genealogy looks like but about the gloves ...Exactly! I want the same ones and I found an on line distributor (with a kiosk at the show) that carries them. Perfect.
DeleteThe Vincent and Ariel are something else!
ReplyDeleteThey were both exceptionally well restored - the Ariel really caught my friend Ron's eye.
DeleteI love that '82 Yamaha, even with the garish green rims. It looks to me like it's ready to go out battling zombies.
ReplyDeleteYou pegged it! Tell the truth, this one was hard to get close to in order to take a picture. It was generating a lot of interest.
DeleteThings Karen learned at the bike show: there's no point in getting to the show early, you'll end up standing in a line up with 1,000 of your new BFF's; don't look at the old bikes 'cause you'll end up being seduced by each bike's uniqueness resulting in taking many, many pictures; don't look at the new bikes 'cause they look so, well, new; stay away from the choppers they'll just cause you to ask yourself more questions than you'll ever have answers for and finally; where's all that quality that Alpinestars claim their gloves have? A warranty claim for unusual wear, Id say.
ReplyDeleteI did learn a lot ... Where to start Barb (or should I say Ken?)
ReplyDeleteStanding in line for 26 minutes with 1000 of my new BBFs beats being snagged in traffic on airport road only to get into the lot to drive for an hour in circles through the myriad of parking lots hoping I might find a parking space sometime before the show closes (best parking spot ever!) Next time I will purchase tickets on line and reduce the wait. For sure, the old bikes were seducing (especially with the historical commentary I received) and once again I found a Honda 175 among them (just like Flame ... the memories brought tears to my eyes...I wonder where she is now.) Looking at the new, yup they look new (and shiny) with price tags that seem way cheaper than they used to be: bad for the industry but good for somebody that might like a new one. (Ron was trying to talk me into a Honda 700cc something or other... couldn't exactly describe what type it was so we settled on, it's a crossover and I could touch the ground ...it was almost half the price of the Star and for a fleeting moment ... but then I realized it didn't have the luggage capacity.)
The big question for the customs was why the hell do they all (always) feel the need to feature skulls and naked women? (Ron thought he could answer the naked women question ... which just made me have to ask, "and where are the naked men?" As for the Alplinestars they have been all they claim to be. It took me 7 years to get them to look like this that's why I want the same ones again!!! I do have to say, with it that busy I had to watch where I was walking (got a few bumps and bruises)It just wasn't as safe to do the amount of gawking I wanted to do.
All in all, time well wasted!
ReplyDeleteThanks for accepting the part of roving moto reporter. When I look at that sea of cycles, nothing screams "pick meeeee!", as enticing as some them are. That, and I learned that Klingon is not my thing. That's a start.
You're welcome David ... and I've been told if clinging on is not your cup of tea then you might not want to twist the throttle on the new Ninja (That is according to my mentor - I wouldn't know!!!!)
DeleteYes. You need new gloves. Those have done their duty. Way to go! You'll find something when there aren't so many people to side-step.
ReplyDeleteLoved the Klingon inspired bike, awesome.
I love the excitement of the show ... But shopping in the crowd! You are right - if I want them, they will come.
DeleteNow those are some worn gloves. I hope we have better luck at the show in Abbotsford in two weeks. If not we'll have a great road trip with some great friends.
ReplyDeleteBrandy - it's all about the trip! Have fun at the Abbotsford show. Can't wait for the pictures.
DeleteKaren, if you've done nothing else here (actually you did and covered a lot) you have given me inspiration to attend our show once again. I wasn't all that sure I'd go. Don't mind the crowds and running in to old friends is just about the primary reason I go. Buying something new and/or checking out the new is really the lowest of priorities for me. The Customs you've highlighted here are amazing and truth be told, I can easily look past the actual details painted and focus more on the technique and style.
ReplyDeleteWhen you build your machine you've got my full approval and endorsement to put as many naked men on it as will fit.
Coop for me these shows are all about soaking up the ambiance in the dead of winter. I'm glad you approve of the naked men concept, I'm in. I have just two things to do first ... 1. become a custom bike builder and 2. become an airbrush artist. No worries! ... (I don't think it'll be happening soon. What if I slather the Star with white glue, step back two feet and whip a handful or two of glitter at it.)
ReplyDelete