IMS Washington DC Attendance?

[RB]

no pics?
I went last year and swore i wouldn't go back(so i didn't). the Ducati booth was a one entry room....that is just stupid. Glad to hear they got it better this year. Ever since the demise of the monster challenge it seems that the event has been less interesting. Seems that there is less talented vendors showing up with real products, and more China junk.
As Zooom pointed out, the junk booths are worthless and attract low rent morons(IMO)...think sham-wow and fake bullet proof vests with your 'club' name.

I truly wish i missed out this year, but even my 13yr old son thought last year was lame, and he gets to sit on any bike he can(this equals fun, remember when you would sit on a bike and fantasize about your own some day).

[jetpuff716]

I was somewhat dissappointed too, but I still had a good time, especially running into old friends.   I also agree the Ducati set up was much better than in past years when it was an enclosed booth.

With regard to the new Multistrada 1200 with 150 hp, and how about the 1200S Touring with the Ducati Electronic Suspension system? ....  thumbs up or thumbs down?    I give it

Gene, I'm very sorry I missed your call and didn't get to catch up.  

[angler]

...think sham-wow and fake bullet proof vests with your 'club' name.

Shit - I bought both a sham-wow and a fake bullet proof vest......Actually did buy a moto chain ashtray for $5 that also came with a moto chain bottle opener.  Can't have enough moto themed ashtrays.

I was pretty disappointed as well.  Lots of junk merchants.  Almost no swag worthy of unzipping the backpack.  I think I took like 3 pictures.  The GF did get to sit on a bunch of different bikes and I think we will go demo a Yammie TW200 or a CRF230 for her in the near-ish future.  She went in their drooling over the cruisers and came out wanting an enduro, so I call that mission accomplished.  My buddy got a decent deal on some SIDI boots.  I went looking for winter gloves and found nothing but junk. Bummer.  Still had a fun day.....

Random pics

[zooom]

I'd say your dis-satisfaction should be aimed at the OEM corporate folks ....

while I agree with you, I can't help but wonder what the disconnect is for the OEM's (who coordinate this months and months in advance with Cycle World) from this show? Does IMS want too many concessions for them to have their stuff on display? Do they make it too hard for an OEM to have the space to show stuff as they wish? Do they want too much money for doing the show from the OEM's? There is some problem in the works somewhere in the whole deal. Triumph hasn't been represented except by a dealer for 4 or so years, BMW and Aprilia now for 2 years, as well as many others whom have shown in the past, like MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Ural, and so on....you just can't help but to wonder...

[twolanefun]

I actually enjoyed it but then I'm a sucker for anything involving two wheels. I only had two expectations/desires, besides running into friends and not having anything official to do for the first time in 5 years, to check out the new MTS 1200 and the new Victory Cross Country, mission accomplished on both scores.

I'm still on the fence on both bikes but confirmed that both of them are worth thinking about as replacements for the ST3 and the Kingpin.

We also stayed downtown instead of commuting, that turned out to be a good escape from the burbs and Nora and I enjoyed wandering around looking for a spot for dinner, ending up at http://www.latascausa.com/site/, jug of Sangria and some good food.

The only thing I was surprised at was the crowds, it was difficult to get pictures with so many people, at least of the stuff I wanted pictures of, guess I was spoiled in the past having free reign before the crowds got there. I also thought that having the dealers represent several of the brands was almost better than having Corporate. - Gene

[twolanefun]

There is some problem in the works somewhere in the whole deal.

Uh have you looked at sales figures? And it is an age old debate in many industries, when things get tough the first budget that gets hit is Marketing. Some would say that is the exact opposite of what should be done. So this year you can add HD, Victory, and Suzuki to the list of local support, not Corporate, probably some others that I'm not in the know on. - Gene

[Nekkid Tim]

God help me, the best looking motorcycle at the entire show was the newly reintroduced Harley Wide Glide; a bike that wouldn;t have gotten a glance from me as recently as five years ago.

The Multistrada 1200 is technically very interesting and there ought to be a market for a bike with that much power, relatively low weight, a modicum of wind protection, and decent luggage capacity.  However, it sets new lows for hideousity (yes, I know that is not a word and I know beauty is in the eye of tyhe beholder, so I'll add: imho) even after Ducati appears to be battling BMW for the title of "Manufacturer of the ugliest European motorcycle brand across all models."

Time for me to start seriously shopping for a 2002-2005 Harley Super Glide Sport that can be built into a good-looking do-everything roadster; as I think my new bike buying days have come and gone!

[twolanefun]

The Multistrada 1200 is technically very interesting and there ought to be a market ................................However, it sets new lows for hideousity ....................Ducati appears to be battling BMW for the title of "Manufacturer of the ugliest European motorcycle brand across all models."

Now that is funny.

I agree the looks would be an acquired taste and justified in discussions by yeah but it's got TC, Dynamic Ohlins suspension, etc...  But is is better looking than the old MTS and I saw several examples of the old ones that were modified to ease the eyes. It is also hard to overlook what is under the skin on that bike and the promise it holds for being a real treat on the street - except it cost $20K for the tour or the sport, for that kind of money I wished it looked more like a Ducati. - Gene

[zooom]

   But is is better looking than the old MTS 

marginally, but I do agree!

[RB]

i like the fact that it's ugly. If it weren't so darn ugly, we would all still be talking about the MoTard  yes, Ducati came out with a Motard.

[sbrguy]

the show was ok, but you can only expect that with declining sales.

the vendors there were on teh cheaper side, the gerbings set up was good, i have to say that i did like their gloves and maybe considering getting a pair to make winter commuting a bit easier.

the motorcyle displays were ok, i was able to see some of the bikes i wanted, but mvagusta and such were not there and it would have been nice to see some of them.

[Cabbie]

Zooooooooom,
   It's not even Cycle World that you should be upset with, they are just the title sponsor.. there is another company in the loop there that actually runs and promotes these... They are the ones that BMW and Triumph have had issues with in the past, and thus BMW does two of the shows and Triumph does none.. As far as manufacturers go, the rest werent there mainly due to cost as far as I can tell... To do one of these shows is insanely expensive, and to do the whole circuit?  Is it good promotion for the product yes... but if you were Aprillia or KTM, would you want to show up and bring 3 bikes and set them up in a 10 x10 booth?  My guess would be no... I would think that the reaction would be that the brand is in trouble... Then everyone complains that they didnt bring bike x or y.. its a lose lose for them unless they go full bore, and the market just does not merit that right now unfortunately..

[Nekkid Tim]

Now that is funny.

I agree the looks would be an acquired taste and justified in discussions by yeah but it's got TC, Dynamic Ohlins suspension, etc...  But is is better looking than the old MTS and I saw several examples of the old ones that were modified to ease the eyes. It is also hard to overlook what is under the skin on that bike and the promise it holds for being a real treat on the street - except it cost $20K for the tour or the sport, for that kind of money I wished it looked more like a Ducati. - Gene

Meggadittos.   I love the idea of the electronically controlled suspension and traction control and ABS.   I wish they would put all that stuff on an 1198 styled as an homage to the original 916 (hey, that was a 1994 bike, they could do it as a 20-year-anniversary homage in 2014!!!) and then I'd probably be *forced* to buy it....   if it were yellow!