I know this is ver subjective but what is everyone's opinion on this show? Previously has there been good Ducati representation? Would it be worth driving three hours each way to check it out?
Thanks,
-Dave
3 hours... er hmm. I dunno about 3 hours.
But, Ducati usually puts on a good show, though there display can be very crowded (mostly be design) since it's enclosed. This year we'll see the StreetFighter and maybe some 1198s in person. I'd bet an M1100 too. They've had DD16's and full on race bikes on display as well - so it's good for some bike ogling.
If you want to go kick some tires, it's a great place for that - since there's a lot of bike, 99% of which you can climb on and inspect to your hearts content. Everything from kiddie dirt bikes to the biggest/best that's on the market at the time.
If you're in the market for gear or other widgets, there are usually discounts to be found and some steals on occasion. But it's also a good venue to see a lot of gear that you might have to hit up multiple shops to check out normally. Helmet manufacturers displays are staffed to take measurements, so you can get the right size helmet.
Of course there's a number of raffles, (though I never f'ing win) a large variety of clubs etc.
MAD members will be manning the welcome center as you enter the show and all MAD Members get a $2 off coupon, contact Gene or Eric. I would be willing to bet that a Troy Bayliss will be on display as well as the other new bike mentioned. Duc Pond will have it's own booth as well and I heard they might have something special on display. Some of the other OEMs will have some special stuff on display as well, such as the new BMW K bikes as well as their Superbike, the HD XR1200 are just a few that come to mind. - Gene
2Lane,
Do the guys workin there get to take the models home? Cause, I'm going to have to make room!
Quote from: xLr8r on November 28, 2008, 04:09:16 PM
2Lane,
Do the guys workin there get to take the models home? Cause, I'm going to have to make room!
you talkin female or mechanical?
I'll be there either with MARRC booth or at the Women in Motorcycling booth.
Like Ian said, I'm not sure it's worth driving 3 hours each way, but I do recommend going to this show once, if you've never been.
I drove up from Richmond Last year and had a great time. I will be attending again this year.
Quote from: zooom on November 28, 2008, 05:05:48 PM
you talkin female or mechanical?
At this point I'm not picky, both give the same results!
Quote from: xLr8er on January 03, 2009, 06:58:00 AM
At this point I'm not picky, both give the same results!
This is true...they both like to leave me beaten and bruised on the side of the road
Quote from: Duc and Cover on January 04, 2009, 07:37:21 AM
This is true...they both like to leave me beaten and bruised on the side of the road
And yet you feel like you need more from both..........right? ;D
Quote from: eettare on January 04, 2009, 08:36:21 PM
And yet you feel like you need more from both..........right? ;D
well...they are both kinda like drugs or Pringles in a way...addictive and not something you want or can only have once...
like Rick James said..."Cocaine is a helluva drug"....well...cocaine is equal to women and mechanical things in that way!
Quote from: Duc and Cover on January 04, 2009, 07:37:21 AM
This is true...they both like to leave me beaten and bruised on the side of the road
How much are you paying for that service? I hope you have a safe word. Something like "Ouch! Stop! Oh God please!"
Ok ok, . . . back to the subject. At least 3 of us are heading up to the show on Saturday. Maybe we will run into a few "locals" up there. Can't wait to see some of the eye candy up there . . . I mean the bikes.
hmm, not so sure about the three hours being worth it. How about three Metro stops? Or, in my case, three miles.
I'll be there Friday evening, most likely lurking in the Honda and Ducati areas.
Slim chance I will stop in again on Saturday, earlier in the day.
Lisa
looking like Dolci and I will be there on Sunday...I am working in the reception center for MAD Friday evening.
Anybody riding in? It will be cold but will only rain Saturday.
I have been the past 3 years and unless there is something you really want to see I am not sure if it is worth it. the Ducati booth is all I really like and maybe some eye candy. It is 2.5hr drive form me. But it is a nice winter fix. I am on the fence for this year?
Just got back. That was interesting, I'm glad I went. It was a good opportunity to check out a lot of bikes quickly, check for fit and seating position, and see some really well done customs. Got to see the new Ducs, the 1100 and the 1198(s), and the streetfighter. The 1100 is a 696 clone, and suffers the same drawbacks (nut crusher). Now that the 1198 is out, will anyone buy a 1098 for the same base price? and the streetfighter looks better in person than in photos. Ducponds iteration of the 1100 was really well done. It's obvious that they take pride in their work.
Anyone else?
I was there yesterday from 10AM until about 12 noon.
DucPond's Monster.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1917.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1917.jpg)
Went early today, I agree with you. Really liked the Streetfighter in person, just wish I had the coin. The Ducpond M1100 looked awesome, that color scheme just looks perfect for that bike. Did you check out the Roland Sands Duc in the area over on the right? Will hopefully post pictures in a few minutes. Having never been, it was definitely the trip from the Baltimore area and I'm looking forward to next year.
Here are some more pics I took at the show.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1855.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1860.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1861.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1862.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1868.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1869.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1871.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1873.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1874.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1876.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/dohc97/2009%20DC%20bike%20show/DSC_1911.jpg)
(http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v644/185/120/1408880060/n1408880060_195935_8964.jpg)
(http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v644/185/120/1408880060/n1408880060_195936_9254.jpg)
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v644/185/120/1408880060/n1408880060_195937_9537.jpg)
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v644/185/120/1408880060/n1408880060_195938_9816.jpg)
(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v644/185/120/1408880060/n1408880060_195939_97.jpg)
Sorry about some of the IZ_ish pics. Santa brought me a new camera and I'm still working on the settings.
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3189227157_53ae602894.jpg)
Streetfighter
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3189232177_f55afe4d4c.jpg)
Streetfighter
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3190061078_73b576a082.jpg)
Ducati definitely had the best display!
I really liked this HM
(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3189282479_4f432a8885.jpg)
my impression of the show was this....smaller than last year as far as manufacturers and vending...ample opportunity to see,touch, and feel planty of machinery...see lots of people I know and shake hands and so forth...met a couple new ones...
my main complaint is this yet again....they provide ample opportunity to see and sample many many different machines...
they do not however offer as wide an opportunity to sample and try gear....I think if they teamed up with TuckerRocky or PartsUnlimited or one of those major vendors to provide a roving accessory sales opportunity for folks to see,touch,and try different gear, more people would be wearing it instead of relying on local vendors to come to the show after spending ridiculous amounts of money for show/vending space and expect to cover it all...at least for the DC show, because I am not aware of how much the vendors bring to other shows....people buy gear they can tangibly see and touch and try when they can not otherwise do so because dealers are limited in what they can spend to stock and as a consumer...if a dealer tells me that there is a restocking fee for something that is special ordered and I am not sure even a little bit, then I am not going to order it..period!...the consequences of their being many choices offered and few available to have on hand.
I agree Zoom. I was really hoping to try on some race boots and there were really no opportunities. Last year I got a great deal on my race leathers and got to try on a bunch of different leathers before buying. I did miss BWM and Aprilia. I didn't like the layout /flow. I liked it last year when it seemed like all the motorcycles were up front and the vendors in the back. for some reason it seemed tighter this year with less people. I did really enjoy the the mix of art and motos with the "Architects of Inspiration". I thought that was a cool display.
Yeah on the gear. I was hoping for more than last year - but it was less than last. Poo
Also, anyone else that Aprillia and BWM were not there?
Last, I'll get my photos up in a bit.. there's a bunch.
Quote from: yuu on January 12, 2009, 08:10:20 AM
Also, anyone else that Aprillia and BWM were not there?
I heard rumors as to why BMW....Aprilia said they didn't have the finacial wherewithal to bve able to put all of their products up on display and made a deal with IMS for select venues...
Quote from: RodeoClown on January 12, 2009, 07:55:10 AM
I didn't like the layout /flow. I liked it last year when it seemed like all the motorcycles were up front and the vendors in the back. for some reason it seemed tighter this year with less people. I did really enjoy the the mix of art and motos with the "Architects of Inspiration". I thought that was a cool display.
they did a couple things to spread things out to make/take up the slack room that wasn't being used...1st, that larger artsy presentation with the Toyota's (though there were some way cool things there) was a result of the room taken as well as "The Hub" stage for presentations and the scooter pavilion all played a part in taking up the room that would have otherwise had manufacturers...this paired with the reception area right up front to the right as you walk in that most walked right on by....I think if you want to spotlight that kind of thing, put it right in with the "HUB" presentation area as a complete incorporation and the presenters can plug to talk to the folks there at that point...
Quote from: Tim on January 12, 2009, 06:38:11 PM
Worst "International" Motorcycle Show that I could possibly imagine. If it had been billed as the "National" Motorcycle Show, it would have only been extremely disappointing. As a "Washington D.C. Metro Area Motorcycle Show" I would have found it mildly disappointing.
If it had been an admission-free "Come and see what we threw together overnight to try to sell you motorcycles" Show, it would have been just about PERFECT.
Hell, for many years the Baltimore Bike Show was a LOT better than that.
I know, I'm a harsh, unyielding bastard. Just calling it like I saw it.
The ONLY good thing about it for me was confirmation that NOTHING could look as hideous in real life as the new Streetfighter does in Ducati publicity shots. Hell, the photos in this thread show the bike in a FAR better light than those skanky manufacturer's shots. The bike actually has promise. It would require LOTS of changes for me to be happy with it, but at least it's not irredeemable as I expected it to be.
Don't hold back, man. Tell us how you really feel. [laugh]
Anyone else stop by the Brembo stand btw? Fred from Yoyodyne was manning it.
Quote from: yuu on January 13, 2009, 12:19:18 PM
Anyone else stop by the Brembo stand btw? Fred from Yoyodyne was manning it.
Yep, chatted about rotors for awhile - Brembo is recommending the thicker 220's for the 1098, instead of the thin 330's. Huh. $600 you say? I'm good.
It was dissapointing no BMW, Aprilias, or MV's. But overall it was fine; nice to see how ugly the new R1 is in person, to climb on an Uglibusa, and an 1198. The Ducati hut was hopping, and took me awile to realize I was fielding questions from people because I was wearing my Ducati Xerox buttondown, and people thought I worked there.
Always good to see the Zoom! Chatted with Donnie for a bit, and the Streetfighter looked nice. I pointed out to a huge guy working there that it was fitted with the Traction Control sensor; he said it was just a mock-up bike.