Right then – Part two of Motorcycle SuperShow 2014.

Getting ready to head to the show and the question entered my mind, “What the heck am I going to be looking for?” This is motorcycle blog fodder, I need a focus.

Well, for sure I’m going to be looking at the GP Bikes display, totally disappointed with my (only 2 year old) Gears saddle bags I’d already dog eared a couple of pages in their catalogue, but 500 exhibitors in 425,000 square feet of space needs a plan. I subscribe to MotorcycleMojo Magazine and I’m lucky enough to have a few other current motorcycle rags hanging about by donation … and visions of motorcycles were dancing in my head.

While madly leafing through the glossy pages it came to me. Start by looking at what the experts are looking at: whether for paycheque or passion, they know more than I do, so I quickly scribbled down some unofficial statistics. What's hot for 2014? Based purely on the number of pages devoted to the model in the 5 current motorcycle magazines that I had on hand I came up with a short-list.

The Yamaha FZ09 came in at first place with a record 21 pages devoted solely to it (Wow).

Tied for second were the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 (turning 30) and the H.D. Ultra (Glide and/or Classic) models with 9 pages each.

In third, with 8 pages each, were the CanAm Spyder and the Yamaha FJR1300ES (way to go Yamaha marketing department, 2 in the top 3ish.)

 
I had a good place to start ... and then I'd just let the farkles and the sparkles lead me where they may. Of course this time I had my own personal tour guide, Ken, whose knowledge of motorcycles old and new is encyclopedic. I knew he'd keep me focused. (PS I'm leaning toward the Spyder - one word: REVERSE!)

In the end ... Ken and I both agreed, though we couldn't put a finger on why. This years show was better than last years.

MOTORCYCLE SUPER SHOW 2014,TORONTO (part 1)

I promised to give my friend Barbara some respite for the day and moaned, "Yah, I'll force myself to go with your husband to the January motorcycle show." The things we do for our friends! Kidding aside, it was a great day, (a long day) but a great day at the 2014 Toronto Motorcycle Supershow. (Truly, Barbara had to stay home with the four legged kids.)
As I suspected we didn't get more than 20 feet into the first showroom before we ran into folks that Ken (long time rider, racer and recognized member of the motorcycle safety training community) knew. (Com’ on Ken … I’ve got things to see, things to do, pictures to take and things to buy!)

I’d just recently read in “Cycle World” about this being the year the Ninja turns 30 so I couldn’t miss the chance to photograph the all “grown up” Ninja for Erik and everybody’s talking about the Yamaha FZS9 and the Bolt … and I wanted to see the new little, big looking Honda CBR250R in Repsol colors (February 2014 Motorcyclist) … and the CanAm Spyder redesigned, (Ken and I’d already discussed, ‘would we go Spyder or sidecar when we couldn’t do two wheels {old age, retirement planning} anymore.’)
So much to see, so little time and time was a-wasting! First thing (right after the people we talked to and the pizza we ate) there it was, the Ninja: familiar green and celebrating 30 - doesn't look a day over 29....

Whoa, talk about insect eyes, seriously evil in green; they’re just down right mean in orange! (It's the Angry Bird look-alike contest.)

(Did I go sidecar or Spyder? More of SuperShow 2014 to come soon!) Right now, I'm going to bed!