Motorcycle Show

Ok here we go, the Progressive International Motorcycle Show 2011 in New York City. Remember friday is the best day to go if you can get the day off. The crowds are lighter and you can take your time chatting with the vendors and browsing all the bikes, clothing and accessories without being rushed. As you enter you're greeted by the Progressive Girls and you recieve your free Progressive bag for your goodies. Ok so let's see what's new this year.

Honda showed off their super hot VFR 1200F. A 1237 cc, V-4, 6 speed with shaft drive. Looks like it would be a great ride for some sport touring. Kinda has a familiar front profile... How about the limited in line 4 super bike, the CB 1000R. Single sided swingarm, lowboy-style muffler, aluminum mono-backbone frame and a close-ratio 6-speed transmission. The all new CBR 250R looks bigger than it is and looks like a blast to ride, although too small for me. A single cylinder with fuel injection and 6 speed trans powers the little brother to the VFR 1200F. You can tell there from the same family by the nose. Go Honda.

Kawasaki had me dreamin' of a new bike with their all new Vulcan 1700 Vaquero, that's Cowboy in Spanish. Baggers are Hot right now and Kawasaki stepped up to go fender to fender with Harley, Indian, Victory and Yamaha. I wonder if Suzuki will come out with something and hey imagine a Bagger Gold Wing?? What do you think they will call it? Back to the Varquero. The 835lb. cruiser is powered by the new 1700 cc V-twin engine matted with a 6 speed transmission and a carbon-fiber reinforced final drive belt. Electronic cruise control, air adjustable rear shocks plus a very cool looking fairing makes this another option for, according to Kawasaki "for those of us who don't follow the herd". Plus the price is right.

The new Suzuki GSX 1250FA is a full faired standard/commuting/sport touring bike. With standard ABS and a center stand, remember those? Suzuki offers some nice accessories including side cases and top box. As BMW says, "own the city" with their unfaired urban blaster F 800R. BMW changing up with this cool 2 cylinder, 798cc standard. The BMW K 1600 is an inline 6 cylinder available on a presale only program and wasn't at the show, but keep an eye out for it on their web site it's pretty high tech and the headlight alone will blow you away, check out link to the right. The Concept C BMW looks like a stainless steel scooter on steroids. Cool blue and black tires, single sided swing arm, dash monitors and more.

Indian is back, again and had a huge display and the Special Edition Chief Blackhawk was a very sharp looking bagger. Based in Kings Mountain, NC and equipped with PowerPlus engines they hope to get some of the V-Twin market, but at a starting price of $25,999 for the Chief Classic it may not get much. Welcome back and good luck, really.

The successful Can-Am Spyder RT comes ready to tour the country with 155 liters of storage, electric windshield, cruise control and heated grips. Hybrid comes to the motorcycle world with the Hybrid Can-Am Spyder RS. Another favorite of mine is the Triumph Thunderbird Storm. This is a 1700cc parallel-twin with less chrome,stripped down, with more power and available in any color you like as long as it's black, than the standard Thunderbird.

How about a Ural side car rig or Royal Enfield with or without side car. The Russian made Ural ia equipped with a 749cc flat twin engine with a recommended maximum cruising speed of 65 mph. Don't take that on the interstate... The Royal Enfield comes in a 350cc and 500cc version. Started in 1909 in England and are now made in India. Good reliable, cheap transportation.

There were scooters from Honda, Yamaha and a very cool classic from Sears. An Allstate Compact designed by Puch of Austria, sold through the Sears catalog, really. The Team No Limit as always put on a great show. That's some crazy talent there, I love it! The DIY Garage had seminars through out the weekend, including Making the Bike fit you, How to adjust valves, How to build a Cafe Racer and more. Well that's it for now, next time we look at the custom side of the show. Til next time. Be cool and be Safe.

RobKW