Ducati Monster Forum

Just got back from the Int'l Motorcycle Show at the Javits Center in NYC.  Since this is the first show I'd been to since buying my bike last year, I had no idea what to expect.  Here are the things that struck me:

- This is a Harley world, we Ducatisti are just living in it.  I should have been prepared for this but, man, were their a lot of Harley guys and cruise-based bikes.

- The 250cc Moto 3 bikes are REALLY small.  Really.

- There is nothing that can't be made of carbon fiber.

- Italian styling far exceeds anything else.  Ducati. MV Agusta.  The lone Bimoto at the show.  No jap bike came close.

- Patches apparently are 80% of owning a cruiser.  I think the choice of leather jacket is not for crash protection but rather because leather can withstand the most aftermarket patch sewing.

- The closer you get to a 'busa, the uglier it gets.

- Along with point #1 above, as a small group we are not worth the time of Dianese, Rev'it, etc. to set up stands.  Disappointed they weren't in attendance since it was gear that I really wanted to try/buy.

- The BMW R1200R bike looks good, but is really big.  Kinda goes against the naked, slimmed look of it but it feels more like a touring bike when on top.

I was going to go Sunday but if it's not worth it maybe I'll skip. I can spend money in the SOHO store and cyclegear instead.

I've been to a few shows and I always think it's at the very least "fun" to see what's out else is out there.
Be it your cup of tea or not.
Nothing better than to see the world through your own set of eyes.  [coffee]


In my past experience with the show, I agree with the above.

But perhaps the gear vendors vary by region. I do remember a vendor with a nice helmet and jacket/glove selection at fantastic prices.

I can say at the Long Beach, CA show, our local D-Store does show up as a vendor.  I have a friend who works at Chatterbox and while he is attending some of the IMS shows, they don't attend the full calendar.  It's marketing so they're going to spend their dollars where they think they'll have the most impact.  I'm sure that's the case for every manufacturer and vendor.


The population of the show will generally reflect the rider population in your area.  It's not like those harley riders are imported from china or something.

I always see people at the show i haven't seen in a while.

I went to the show today.

Some of my own notes ( and once i find my damn card reader ill post some juicy photos of Spies, Lorenzo and Haydens bike)

1- I found the manufacturer Mirai there, who makes what appears to be really nice LiFePo4 batteries. also using primastic cells like shorai. They have slightly higher CCA, however i couldn't find any reviews on them online and desipite the price i avoided purchasing them since i already had 1 terrible experience with Ballistic Cells...which i found out by the Mirai guy that Ballistic uses refused A123 cells. I would tend to believe that!
http://www.miraibatteries.com/ (http://www.miraibatteries.com/)

2- EarthX, (carried by bellissimoto) is releasing a battery in april that has BOTH overdischarge and overcharging circuit, slated to replace their current line up. They also use prismatic cells. Ive heard lots of good about them.

3- I am NOT too short for the Multistrada 1200!!!! When i graduate and if i work out side of NYC i am getting THAT BIKE!! (im 5'6 with 30 inch inseam)

4-The panigale feels like every other sport bike but it is quite comfortable, all things considered!

5- there were 6 ducati models there. :o by models, i mean the human kind. I hate to stare at chicks like that, but they were gorgeous!

6- That stunt team was funny and it was really cool to watch one of them bunny hop a BMW S1000RR, but the duc stunt team from previous years were way better.

7-the wheel change was a total BS. There were no chains or brake calipers on the rear wheel, which is what makes it difficult.

8- Scorpion rep was there with motorcycle mall (based on NJ), i wanted to buy a new tinted lens for the drop down visor. He said they discountined the one for my helmet, but pulled a darker tint of an old helemt that was on sale and gave it to me for FREE! Heres to the  4 Scropion helmets, the 3 scorpion jackets and 1 scorpion pants i own!!

and yea TONS of cruisers.

Pics  [bang]

Didn't stop me from trying...and failing miserably.  Something like 25 sec (time to beat was 14s).

Front and rear plus fuel..  ;)



http://youtu.be/x9m4D_3ayK0 (http://youtu.be/x9m4D_3ayK0)

Not fair, there were five of them!