I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!!

The number one thing that I noticed immediately was that attendance was up. I arrived about the same time as last year and was parked much further away. It was also easily noticeable that I was dodging more folks as I weaved around each of the displays.

The second noticeable thing was the number of vendors and the addition of venues (Motorcycling Touring and Toy Hauler RVs). The people running the show really stepped up their game and I really enjoyed the new additions.  Here is a “small” list of the bike vendors in attendance. (I did not remember seeing BSA and URAL though, hummm 🙂 )

As usual Harley Davidson had the primary spot of the show… right there as you walk into the building. HD of Baltimore was showing of their bikes and riding gear. I was surprised to see “sold” tags on more than a few of the bikes. They had at least one of every bike they sell including the new Road Glide and FreeRider Trike.

The Indian display was not in a prime spot, which was surprising to me. They only had a few bikes on display including their new Scout and the flagship Roadmaster. The Scout was very nice but the color scheme on the Roadmaster was…. UGLY. The bike’s paint was Indian Red and Birch White, with tan saddles and a lot of black plastics. The color scheme did not work for me, but the bike itself was interesting, I would like to take it for a spin and compare it to my HD Ultra Limited.

All the major imports were represented. Honda had at least one their entire stable, it seemed, on hand including a REPSOL branded CBR1000. Ducati had one of the new Scramblers on display and based on the number of people looking at it is going to be a hit. Kawasaki had a limited edition Ninja on display but I was expected to see a new H2. Turns out that is not going to happen until the Chicago IMS: Motorcycle Shows ‏@MotorcycleShows 7m7 minutes ago The #Kawasaki H2R is under wraps until #ChicagoIMS opens at 1:00 today! http://instagram.com/p/zDBzuGkGLv/

Yamaha had the bike that intrigued me the most the SR200. The SR200 is kick start only, not something you see much of any more. I think that I might go by a Yamaha Piano Dealership and check out the SR200 (just kidding). Suzuki, Royal Enfield, Triumph, and others all had displays but nothing really new and exciting to show.

The two biggest additions to the event were the motorcycle hauling RVs and the motorcycling tours venues.

There were several toy haulers on display and the one in the photos below peaked my interest. The wife and I have kicked the idea around a time or to but it usually ends when I state “you will have to drive too you know” LOL.

The touring section was very nice with multiple vendors, most of which you will have seen advertising in all the major magazines Edelweiss Bike Travel for example. They also had some recent long distance riders’ talk about their adventures for example Allen Karl author of Forks, Lois Pryce author of Lois on the Loose (I bought her book) and Guinness World Record Holder Benka Pulko.  Each of these folks and the others, presented a 30-45 minute slide show and discussion of their travel.  It was a great addition. This is a venue I hope to see again next year.

As for the actual bike show, there were some really beautiful motorcycles on display in all the classes. I wish I had checked my battery before I left the house as I did not get as many pictures as I wanted. Oh well, there is next year.