International Motorcycle Show 9-11 JAN

jftoha · January 07, 2009, 10:16:23 AM

Anybody riding in? It will be cold but will only rain Saturday.

RodeoClown · January 07, 2009, 12:55:39 PM

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?

Bun-bun · January 10, 2009, 07:27:23 PM

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?

dohc97 · January 11, 2009, 08:38:09 AM

I was there yesterday from 10AM until about 12 noon.

DucPond's Monster.

Lance Goodthrust · January 11, 2009, 04:00:45 PM

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.

dohc97 · January 11, 2009, 04:49:09 PM

Here are some more pics I took at the show.

Lance Goodthrust · January 11, 2009, 05:03:57 PM

Sorry about some of the IZ_ish pics. Santa brought me a new camera and I'm still working on the settings.

Bun-bun · January 11, 2009, 06:16:54 PM

Streetfighter

Ducati definitely had the best display!

Bun-bun · January 11, 2009, 06:25:36 PM

I really liked this HM

zooom · January 12, 2009, 07:08:59 AM

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.

RodeoClown · January 12, 2009, 07:55:10 AM

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.

Slide Panda · January 12, 2009, 08:10:20 AM

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.

zooom · January 12, 2009, 11:13:19 AM

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...

Bun-bun · January 12, 2009, 07:21:25 PM

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.

Slide Panda · January 13, 2009, 12:19:18 PM

Anyone else stop by the Brembo stand btw? Fred from Yoyodyne was manning it.

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International Motorcycle Show 9-11 JAN