The winter months are hard on us. They seem to drag on forever as we wait not so patiently for warmer riding weather. Some of our 'hardier' family and friends that live further north of us get a kick out of what we call cold, but when you factor in the windchill while riding a motorcycle even our milder temps can chill you right down to the bone. Besides, I have no problem admitting that I am indeed a wuss when it comes to being cold.
They are also the time that many of the major motorcycle and powersports industry shows take place. One of which is the International Motorcycle Show and this year was the first year in it's history that it would be in Greenville, SC. I had gotten my hands on some free admission tickets so Julie and I invited Teddy and Tim to ride down with us and check it out.
We really had little idea on what to expect, except that the web site listing of the vendors and attendees showed all the major manufacturers would be there with the new 2009 machinery. Tim wanted to see Honda's new production custom, the Fury and I was very interested in seeing Kawasaki's new Voyager touring bike. That and just getting out of the house to do something that involved motorcycles had us interested enough to drive the 150 miles to the show.
Not so typical custom. Check out the in line 4 engine from a Suzuki sport bike
There plenty of stretched and wide tired custom sport bikes on hand
In addition to the manufacturers there were many vendors on hand like this one, showing custom lighting products
Julie and Teddy found several things they liked
Johnny Campbell's Baja 1000 winning CRF450X
Tim and Honda's new production custom, the Fury
2009 Honda GL1800 Goldwing
I thought this was hilarious
Cut-away Kawasaki sport bike
2009 Kawasaki C14 Concourse sport tourer
2009 Kawasaki VN1700 Nomad
2009 Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager
Here we are sitting on what I thought might be our next bike
2009 Yamaha V-Max loaded with carbon fiber bodywork
2009 Yamaha Roadstar 1700 based show bike
Teddy looks thrilled to be standing next to a one off custom Stratoliner
Loaded up with goodies, it's time to go
I can't say that I didn't enjoy the show, and I'm sure Tim, Teddy and Julie would probably tell you they had a good time. At the same time I think we were all a little disappointed.
Tim wasn't real impressed with the Fury. We both questioned why Honda would choose to put a shaft drive on that style motorcycle and wondered why they chose the 1300 engine over the 1800.
Julie and I both were extremely disappointed with the Voyager. We were hoping for a touring bike that would give the Goldwing a run for the money and instead left thinking that we would rather keep our '04 Nomad than trade for the Voyager.
The show itself wasn't bad either, but... The facility just didn't have a 'show' atmosphere about it. It wasn't lit real well and wasn't very clean. There were several vendors in attendance including a few rather well known company's and manufacturers, but not as many as I'd hoped for and none of them had very big displays.
Would we go again? Probably, especially if I can get some more free tickets!
Bruce
