guidoebert.com

Walking a motorcycle show, seeing so many two-wheelers in one place, makes my brain work overtime to remember everything I’ve learned and nearly forgotten about the brands involved.

Below are photo captions from the Minneapolis stop of the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show tour.

BRP’s Can-Am line of three-wheeled Spyder garnered more attention than the brand’s ATVs. For 2010, there’s the Can-Am Spyder RS (roadster sport) and new Spyder RT (roadster touring) models. Check out this luxury "RT-S" model with a trailer. One friend I ran into at the show said it was likely longer than his Excursion.

Like some of its Japanese and even European counterparts, Honda is showing 2009 model year sport ATVs. A number of companies have decided against bringing in 2010 models because of a backlog of ’09 stock. The Moriwaki 250 race bike powered by Honda. The sign says: “MSRP: $12,699. Available at participating Honda dealers.”  How about we in the U.S. get a CBR125R or a 250cc sport for the street?

Honda’s great idea: Showing the mileage that can be achieved via its scooters. Hmmm, why don’t we see Honda’s TV ads touting the same facts rather than relying on video of a motocross rider pulling a tail-whip over a triple? Scooters are inexpensive, fun, economical and practical for riders of all ages. I’m amazed more people in the U.S., particularly the warmer half, don’t use scooters in urban environments.

Finally, even a Yamaha guy wanted to feel the Honda VFR1200. It’s obviously a nice bike (really, what isn’t nowadays?) but I’m confident the past 20 years worth of VFR owners would’ve rather seen a pumped up Interceptor. This bike is neither a supersport nor a sport-tourer. So what is it? To me, simply a symbol of Honda’s V4 anniversary.

Suzuki was sticking to its race “heritage”, showcasing race quads and AMA sportbikes at its display. Check out the Mladin ride.

The GSX-R series, 600, 750 and 1000, continue to be popular, but it’s nice to see bikes like the TU250X being offered (where’s the GSX-R250R?). Too bad the Gladius and B-King haven’t proved more popular. The Gladius just hasn’t hit the same entry-level buyer as the SV650, and the B-King – RIP –evidently is still being marketed until its stock is depleted.

I walk by the Yamaha display and I look at the R series, the Star Warrior, FJR and FZ6R. My brother and I agree that the V-Max is of limited attraction to us. Straight-line power isn’t what we’re interested in. The FZ6R looks like two different bikes put together. Somehow, the front half to the gas tank doesn’t match proportionally to the back half. Nice to see the Rossi Limited Edition R1. It’s a $1,210 increase over the stock model, but there’s always someone willing to spend the extra coin. I’m surprised we don’t see more race replicas offered to the sportbike crowd. Every sportbike manufacturer should have one available.

Americans love big vehicles, and Kawasaki’s big ZX-14 and Concours 14 were popular attractions. Sign me up for a ZX-14 with hard luggage. Speaking of hard luggage … my brother recently purchased a KLR650. We’ve been looking at these bikes for many years. He finally pulled the trigger, outfitted it with crash protection and christened it on a two-wheeler camping trip to Colorado. Only good things to report.

I’m really enthused by Kawasaki’s motorcycle line-up. TheNinja 250 still is a tremendous attraction; the 250 supermoto is a nice small (too small?) displacement option; the KLR pretty much has the market cornered on reliable dual-sports at a very attractive price point; there are parallel twin 650s for sport, naked and commuter modes; and the big 1400cc bikes offer spectacular power. One thing missing: a mid-sized street-legal supermoto at a price point not much higher than the KLR.

Women on wheels. I found women a big percentage of visitors at two particular displays: Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki. I passed the Harley display several times. Each time, I noticed ladies aged 35 to 65 climbing aboard bikes. At Kawasaki, the female clientele proved a bit younger. Was this Buell Blast supposed to be a joke? 1) Buell wasn't planning to bring it back; 2) H-D closed Buell late last year.

Ducati has worked hard to solidify itself in the U.S. marketplace. Sheesh, think back to the operation in New Jersey earlier this decade. Now there’s better product offered in a wider price range, improved service and support, and increased branding. The Multistrada 1200 was the star of the display. Could we see a smaller displacement version next year? The new product is kick-ass, no doubt, but I’d still rather have a Sport Classic model (preferably the Sport 1000 S).

The Royal Enfield brand is imported and distributed exclusively by Classic Motorworks of Faribault, Minn. Visitors saw the Bullet Classic C5 and Bullet G5, both retro-looking models channeling 1950s styling but offering a newly designed, modernized Unit Construction Engine (UCE) and Royal Enfield's first electronic fuel injection (EFI). That means they’re now also approved for sale in California. 

I’ve ridden the Victory Touring Cruiser (TC), Vegas, Vision and Hammer S.  These bikes get better every time I’m on ‘em. Refueling is difficult, because of all the conversations the bikes acquire. I was lost in a sea of metric cruisers over at the displays of the Big Four from Japan. Here at Victory, it’s easier to comprehend the different families of bikes.

Have you seen CF MOTO’s latest side-by-side? I looked once, twice and three times before I decided this Chinese creation wasn’t a Polaris RZR. I’ve seen many, many, much more subtle rip-offs of the Yamaha Rhino. But this … this bit of reverse engineering (at least in design) is unbelievable.

Motorcycle Stunt Champion Aaron Colton is a Rock Star sponsored by Red Bull. The senior at Shakopee Senior High was mobbed by a gaggle of young men when he appeared at the Simply Sport Bikes booth to sign autographs.

I was glad to see so many people browsing and trying on product at the aftermarket product displays. Also, every time I passed The Hub stage there were people filling seats for the 10 product and riding seminars that were being offered.

Scooterville Minnesota, Bob’s Cycle Supply and Leo’s South were the three local dealerships that stepped up big to attend the show with a display. Scooterville and Leo’s represented companies that chose not to attend with a corporate display – Scooterville represented KYMCO and Leo’s displayed new BMW, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa. Bob’s sells parts, garments and accessories via a retail store and mail-order. GM Robert Jara says the business recently opened a second retail location and larger warehouse in Chisago, Minn.