International Cycle Show

My family and I went to the International Cycle Show in Detroit (Novi) today. It seems to get smaller every year. BMW and Aprilia weren't there. Ducati and KTM have the most interesting bikes to me. Honestly, for the kind of riding I do (43 year old Dad w/bad shoulders, 2 young kids, back & forth to work w/occasional solo rides in the Irish Hills), my 2007 VFR is the most appealing bike to me. Oh, I don't like the 2009 VFR color. The '08 color was better (I like my '07 R/W/B best). We had fun and I would probably do it again next year, but, it's losing it appeal. We bought our kids a Honda CRF50f last Christmas and our now 5 year old boy sat on a new one without the outriggers (training wheels) and he can touch well enough now that he wants to solo it in the spring ("Daddy let's take those off!"). Whenever you're ready buddy.

Ride safe all.

Never Give Up!

 

yodasmile They also came to Dallas and I missed it. I had coupons and everything. Maybe next time... if there's a next time.

 

The San Mateo one seemed to be about the same size as usual, and is in fact larger then when I first started attending 15 years or so ago, although they have switched venues quite reguarly. Both BMW and Aprilia were in attendance. Maybe it has something to do with the local market?? Both may just not sell enough bikes in the area to make it worth their costs to appear at teh show?

 

Up here in the PNW, in the past it was a really great show, the last cpuple of yeras venders and the like have been dropping off. now it's not so great, way smaller, all though Aprilia was here, BMW was a no show. Pretty disappointing IMO

 

Disappointing here in Phoenix as well. They have it in the football stadium (indoors) and barely had enough indoor exhibits to cover the field. Most of the focus of some of the big guys (Honda and Yamaha) was on test rides -- both of them had their exhibits outside with apparently very little effort put into them.

I'll probably give it a pass next year.

 

It'll be coming through here in Feb as the last show of the year. It changed from Atlanta, GA to Greenville, SC this year, no idea why. If you look on the site, it mumbles something about demographics and core riding groups. I dunno. I used to drive down to Atlanta to see it, I guess they can ride up here. Plus I'm sure Greenville has way more convention space for cheap than downtown Atlanta.

 

I was at that same show (same day too) and was also pretty disappointed. It was marginally worth the 400mi round trip. I was hoping to see an Aprilia booth because Big Daddy wants an RSV Mille Factory R. Oh well... I'll have to just keep dreaming.

For those who are considering going to this show - it's ok. If you miss going, don't sweat it.