By Jon Row and bikeland staff
Select photos by Jon Stillman
This weekend’s 2014 Long Beach motorcycle show provides ample assurance, if anybody really needed it, that the motorcycle industry believes the recession is over. Anyone not excited here probably doesn’t belong on two wheels. No matter what they’re riding… or wanting to ride, attendees will find plenty to take away at this year’s shows.
Long Beach demo rides are back for many of the big OEMs and the floor is bristling with bike bling from around the globe; lots of it shown here for the first time. Free movie screenings, seminars, giveaways and decent entertainment ice the cake.
Horsepower wars and electronic innovations are unparalleled this year. Quantity and quality of new models this year make the shows a must-do if you’re within a day’s ride or drive. Can’t make L.A.? No problem. You’ve got eight more chances with less distraction from celebrity wannabes, groupies and paparazzi like us at these remaining stops:
- Seattle: November 20-23
- New York City: December 12-14
- Washington DC: January 9–11
- Miami: January 16–18
- Dallas: January 23-25
- Cleveland: January 30–February 1
- Minneapolis: February 6–8
- Chicago: February 13–15
L.A. Show presentations include Peter Starr, Charlie Bormann, Nick Ienatsch and Don Emde among others. Participating motorcycle dealers (in each city) can save you $4 a ticket. Adult entry is $15, Kids: $6, Bundle with a tee shirt for $6 more. Bike parking is free at most venues. Don’t expect to see everything unless you spend a full day...or two.
The show hits 13 cities nationwide, all being major markets for motorcycle enthusiasts, including: Northern California, Phoenix, Southern California, Seattle, New York, Washington DC, Miami, Dallas, Ohio, Minneapolis, and Chicago.
Where:
Southern California Progressive Intl Motorcycle Show
Long Beach Convention Center
300 East Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90802
When:
Fri. November 14, 2014 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Sat. November 15, 2014 9:30am - 8:00pm
Sun. November 16, 2014 10:00am - 5:00pm
More info at www.motorcycleshows.com
You lookin at me? Yamaha’s new YFZ R-1 is ready to stare down its competition.
Besides 15 new models, Yamaha is offering $4.9 million of race contingencies for a variety of on and off road competition through it’s Blu Cru program. 2,400 riders have registered so far.
Looks like somebody would be glad to get photo bombed.
Triumph honors their long list of champions with memorial replicas aplenty.
Chances are good you’ll win a free tee shirt from Flo’s friends.
It's not what you think but this Honda CB1100R based customized beauty could end up in your garage for $5 via the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s 2014 raffle. A worthy cause at any price.
Yamaha Race Boss Keith McCarty is confident his dominant AMA Superbike team will prevail more easily this year with the new R-1. If only he’d had it when Matt and Ben were around.
All behold the mighty Panigale
The most comfortable Ducati ever made? Has to be the Multi-Strada.
With two all new Tigers, Triumph is walking the walk in the Adventure Bike category.
It doesn’t get more iconic than this.
KTM likes any kind of dirt… even smooth and graded.
Victory continues to roll and 30% of their buyers have military backgrounds.
If your Adventure bike rides are mostly on paved roads you should be looking at the all-new Kawi Versys 1000 ABS or upgraded Versys 650 ABS.
A lot of folks are pretty impressed with Indian’s Scout.
You can bet Mike and Frank didn’t pick it in this condition.
It took less than a year for customization ability to make the R-nine-T BMW’s 4th best seller. This one from new corporate partner Roland Sands Design.
RSD can help you make one of your very own.
Suzuki’s V-Strom line continues to grow.
Commemorating Suzuki’s return to Moto GP racing, the all new GSXR1000 is decked out in Suzuki racing blue.
The diminutive Kawasaki H2 supercharger can suck 200 liters of air a second… and the hair off your arms.
What do you mean the helmets aren’t here yet?
Triumph’s Land Speed Record streamliner. Nice packaging of two Rocket Three engines.
Another original Captain America bike?
Don Emde’s Cannonball Baker seminar will tell you what’s like to ride this motorcycle coast to coast on a historic 100 year old route.
Hard to miss the four new Ducati Scrambler’s: Icon, Urban Enduro, Classic and Full Throttle.
Time travel: Honda commemorates the Gold Wing’s 40th anniversary.
Watts up in Long Beach? Harley Live Wire electric bike demos.
Suzuki reminds you that dirt underneath a Christmas tree is a good thing.
Hopefully more than just “inspired”
The ride-adjustable Kawasaki Vulcan S lets you customize handlebar, foot peg and seat placements.
Based on Euro specs, Kawasaki says the $25,000 H2 version is good for 200HP. “Production” is build to order so you may only see one at the show
Yes black chrome is hard to photograph.
BMW unwrapped four new models at Long Beach. That makes five new models a year for five years straight.
New BMW R1200S 125 HP Sport Touring Roadster with half fairing. A boxer engine with non telelever suspension. Est 60 MPG. Available May 2015
New BMW 1200R naked bike. Same engine as the GS1200 but with a touch more torque. Est 60 MPG with two riding modes. Avail in first quarter 2015.
The new 199 horsepower K46/12 aka S1000RR loses almost 9 pounds, down to 449 lbs even with ABS, traction control and electronic advancements that will make NASA rovers jealous. Beemer reps report it’s capable of 60-degree lean angle on the track with DOT tires.
New BMW S1000XR. An all new 160HP Adventure Sport category. A 1000RR/HP4-based four cylinder with ABS, Dynamic Traction Control and Automatic Stability Control. Available June 2015
The Kawasaki H2Rs are generating up to 300 horsepower on pump gas… and a lot of controversy this year.
If you have a $25 dollar head…
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Tags: international motorcycle shows