International Motorcycle Show - Javitts Center, New York City, NY

As I sit in on this cold January morning and bid the first month of the year goodbye, it's hard to believe that I was actually able to ride for a short period of time this weekend.  Since consistent riding weather feels like it has a good while ripen yet, what could be better to the yearning rider than a winter road trip to The Big City, and a chance to gawk at tons of cool motorcycles and gear that I'll never get to own!

Last weekend presented just such an opportunity at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show.  I went with four others from the area, three of whom I was meeting for the first time.  We found some reasonable rooms just south of Times Square for $129/night only 15 minutes walking distance from Javitts.  The whole trip was kind of like a drive-by, as we strolled in early Friday evening and departed early Saturday afternoon.  Nonetheless, I thought some out there might be entertained and wowed by some of the show's highlights and lowlights.

Dumb Way Round.  Upon reading the travel account of Norwegian motorcycling duo Tormud Amlien and Klaus Ulvestad, our first thought is, that this was a creative parody of McGregor's and Boorman's heavily supported, made for screen adventure series.  But, "NEI", as they say in Norway.  These guys are for real.  Read about their adventures traveling around the world on a couple of 70-year old motorcycles at this website: http://www.kccd.no/.  As (we) Norwegians are not known for their (our) bubbling personality and open candor, I found the read much more interesting than Tormud's talk at the show.

Tormud's vintage Nimbus with sidecar was available for inspection on the show floor though, and I must admit it was pretty cool.  I have a good photo here showing the exposed valve train - amazing piece of motorcycling history here.

Confederate Motorcycles.  Alright, most of the motorcylist enthusiast crowd knows who these guys are.  They're the ones that build those very neo-industrial looking bikes.  You know the ones that, if you left them alone for five minutes, look like they would turn themselves into a Transformer.  Got it?  Good!  Now that we're on the same page, I want to show you a photo of someone at Confederate that clearly isn't on the right page -- in fact, I don't think he even has the right book.

Yes, I'm talking about the suit on the phone.  Before I castrate this guy with my keyboard here, let me just say, I'm the last person who has anything against "suits", or entrepreneurial individuals who want to make money.  But if you look and act like an jackass, a suit only draws more attention to you!

Now, this guy, to me, looks like the biggest jackass on the planet!  Here is obviously The Money Guy at fledgling start up Confederate.  Instead of pressing flesh and talking to people that might actually buy his product, he deemed it more important to LOOK VERY BUSY at this consumer, open to the public industry show.  WTF kind of deals and important phone calls is he making to command such a presence at 10 am on a Saturday?!  His presence said simply, "I am way too important to talk to regular people."  Meanwhile, his colleague, or someone The Money Guy meant to look not as important as Him, was out in front answering questions and pimping the product.

It's easy to play armchair investor/CEO, but if I'm in his chair, I'm NOT sitting in it!  No, I'm rolling up my sleeves, putting on the company logo golf shirt and standing out on the front lines talking to people.  I'll bet the feedback is just keen from that seat back there!  I think the out of place nature of Money Guy gave Him more attention than his product.  Probably just what he wanted.

BMW.  Ooo, ahh!  The new BMW S1000RR.  This latest model entry of world-beater sport bike certainly got a lot of attention at the show.  For just 15-large you can have this race ready, street legal cruise missle.  193 HP.  This guy's sitting on it like he's bought it, paid for it, now he's just waiting for the temp plates, registration and title app.

Good Ol Boys.  It's great to see somethings are just timeless.  No better way to pick yerself up a Daisy of your own than with this sweet take off of the Dukes of Hazard car.  I think some dude named Cletus brought it in.


T-Rex.  Alright, is it a motorcycle or is it a car?  I don't think it knows!  If I had 50-large in my pocket to burn, I could find out.  I'm sure it'll turn heads at the very least.  It's kind of like a Can-Am on steroids!

Ducati.  Probably the most impressive manufacturer "presence" there, complete with a hip-hop dance show at noon.  Here's one of the new sportbikes... "Ok, we'll take one of these and a supermotard -- you get lunch!"

Honda DN-01.  Interesting.  It really does "crossover": sleek and angular like a sport bike, roomy and comfy like a cruiser.

Can-Am Spyder.  Interesting and unique in the motorsport world.   But, I don't want one.

I do see their place, however.  It can really be great for older riders, and/or those with limited mobility.  It's a great way to have motorcycle feel with the steering simplicity offered by that of an automobile.

Yamaha Race Suit.  This was a demo suit whose occupant high sided wearing this on the track at 140 mph!  With only a slight concussion, the rider walked away.  What a powerful testament to the protective capabilities of this very important road armor! 

Harley-Davidson XR1200.  Nothing much to say here other than the fact that I really like this bike.  It's not too dressy, it's got classic looks and it's affordable. 

We caught most of the show before noon.  Fortunate it was that we got in when the show first opened, because by noon, you could hardly move on the floor.  All in all, a great little getaway.  I think everyone wants to do it again next year.  

PS - Yes, Peter, I remember the moped conversation.  Just give me the cost parameters

and "WHERE TO"...

Cheers!