This past weekend was the Motorcycle Show in Minneapolis. I went to the show on both Friday and Saturday. On Friday, I used the press pass I received via this blog, and Saturday the exhibitor badge for working the MMSC booth. I was (and still am) super excited to receive the press pass.
I had a lot of fun with the show, but last year seemed just a smidge better. If you read my previous post, you know that I worked the MMSC booth talking to people about motorcycles and training. It was a lot of fun. A new person about every minute or two. The time flew by. Before I knew it, my replacements had already arrived.
There was less “stuff” this year than last, but more people. I didn’t see anyone giving away posters, calendars, or other goodies to put in my bag. My garage walls were quite sad I didn’t bring anything home for them. I’m half done covering one wall with motorcycle posters! The MMSC booth gave away stocking hats for everyone who tried the SMARTrainer. It was quite popular. I think people learned something by using it. Some just treated it like a video game rather than a tool to practice mental riding skills. That hats were the best freebie I saw.
My two favorite things about the motorcycle show are the stunt show, the talks, and the unusual bikes. Looking at the new bikes is nice too, but nearly all can be seen at the dealers. You can usually ride them there too.
The coolest sign of the whole show.
Full Flickr Album with 128 photos.
This orange would look so good on my Ural.
Neat:
Antique sidecar in the vintage bike section:
Too rich for me…
Nice Triton
A Harley with pedals
A Vincent
Scary tires and belt on this one
KTM RC8R. I have very fond memories of riding this bike at the track.
Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
Where do I sit on this one? Oh right, a trials bike. Maybe that should be my next bike…
This one looks fun
Not my style at all.
My wife likes the color of this one
Strange looking front end on this Victory. Weird headlights and a shock instead of forks.
Ouch. Too pointy.
Very shiny. The owner clearly doesn’t ride it in MN.
Zero had a large selection of electric motorcycles this year. An electric dirtbike would be fun.
For Fuzzy
“Design a Bike” – A giant touch screen allowing you to change the color and a couple factory accessories to “build” your own motorcycle. Not exactly building in my opinion, but a neat feature of the show. I’d call it customizing.
the Harley “Jump Start” experience. “Ride” a Harley at the show. Without moving.
Rear wheel on some rollers.
Front wheel bolted down.
You can shift through all the gears and make lots of noise. Innovative, but I’m not sure why the line was so long. Most Harley dealers give free test rides.
My top case is lacking a movie screen!!
Um. I don’t know what to say about this one, but I wouldn’t buy it.
This might be fun.
Matt from RaceTech talked about how suspension works and had some neat cut-aways to look at.
Brittany Morrow talked about her organization “Rock the Gear”. She is an ATGATT advocate.
This is her helmet. She took a spill. Her story is painful. You can read about it here.
The learning center where all the talks took place. Lots of good info.
The one new bike I was impressed by was the Honda NC700X. A helmet fits inside the gas tank area. Cool!
Neat windshield that clips to forks.
Arai’s new 100% carbon fiber helmet. The only company making 100% carbon fiber. It was light in the hand, but very heavy in the wallet at almost $4,000!
Yamaha was giving away prizes if you could grab five white balls.
This year the Smage Brothers did the stunt show. They were very talented with their trials bikes. Watching them dance around with the bikes really made me want to get one. They had some amazing bike control. Maybe with 30 years of practice I could bunny hop one too! haha.
Laying down on the job…
Lots of wheelies
Jumping some barrels and a seven foot gap
Laying down again… jumping over this guy with out ramps. impressive.
43 rear wheel bunny hops in a row. Wow.
Wheelies and Endos were a constant thing during the show.
Electric mini bike jump. Again no ramps.
What’s wrong with this picture?
yea, no front wheel. clearly saving on tires.
From the start of the show to the end, they never put a foot down. Well, ok. when he switched bikes he did.
Full Flickr Album with 128 photos.
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Wow, it looks like a great show, even if you didn't get as many freebies as last year.
ReplyDeleteThose are some really cool looking custom bikes. Some are pretty far out there and I think would be difficult to ride, but creative and cool looking all the same.
it was good, and I'm glad I went. Some of the customs are interesting. I wonder if the builders intend that someone actually ride the thing or is it just a piece of art?
DeleteGreat set of pics, especially the trial action shots. I went over to read Brittany's story. It made me cry. I am glad she's back in the saddle and out there spreading the word!
ReplyDeletethe trials were my fave pics. so fun to watch.
DeleteBrittany... wow. I had heard her story a few years back. I had told it to a few people, but had forgotten her name over the years. It was great to hear in her own words. She's a strong person.
Nice collection of bikes, love the Thor, the engine is like brand new. The one your wife likes is pretty nice. I have to say, the Triumph 800XC looks really nice. I like the Carbon helmet but $4K?? are they nuts?
ReplyDelete800xc looks nice yes, but the nc700x is the one that sticks in my mind the most since the show.
Deletearai hand makes everything, and they are the only ones making it. i think the guy said they only made six or something silly like that. i'm sure the price will come down as their technique gets better. it was amazingly light, but I won't own one this decade unless you buy it for me *hint hint* haha