Montreal Bike Show My bike went to sleep on November 2, 2005 with 6,036 km on the odometer. After so many months, so many cage miles, I couldn’t take it any longer. I needed bikes and I needed them in high doses. Fortunately for me, I found out about a motorcycle show in Montreal while browsing ott-motorcycles, our local Ottawa biker forum. Although it did seem that the consensus was that the big Toronto show in January was much better, I figured a little trip to Montreal to take in the newest models and coolest customs certainly couldn’t hurt. Heck, it might even help me forget my neglected Blast for a while. Now, poor Andrew has also been suffering from Parked Motorcycles Syndrome this winter, but understandably has been much worse off than me. You see, he is counting down the days until he can bring home his brand new Buell Lightning XB12S and is, of course, dreaming of weather warm enough to ride it. When I told him about the show, and that a large Harley Davidson dealer would be there, he practically jumped for joy. Big Harley dealer meant lots of Buells, which meant Andrew could sit on the bike that would soon be his. Or, at least, one that looked just like it. With Andrew on board, what seemed like a nice idea had turned into a plan. The only wrinkle remaining was getting to the show. Sure, we’d been to Montreal before, but we certainly had never driven there ourselves. No, we’d need someone French to get us there safely. Who better to navigate the insanity of prohibited rights on red than our good friend and past employee of Parkway Motors in Montreal, Gilbert. And so Andrew, Gilbert and his girlfriend, and I hit the 417, Montreal bound, on Sunday morning. The drive was uneventful, which is exactly why we asked to travel with Gilbert in the first place. He even managed to score us with the perfect parking spot. Andrew and I were a bit worried about what “cheap parking” meant in Montreal after we passed lots asking $20 or more. But Gilbert pulled through. He rolled into a practically empty city lot, asking only $4, right across the street from a Metro (subway) entrance. Once underground, it was only about a ten minute walk to Palais du Congrès through some very pleasant sub terra malls. We sure felt smug walking into the ticket line, wondering where the rest of the suckers ended up parking. The show itself was pretty packed in terms of people and bikes. Each major manufacturer had a large display showing their 2006 models, and there were some pretty interesting custom shops showing their stuff. Because of the crowds and the partially inadequate lightning, I found that pictures were more difficult to take than anticipated. In addition to bikes, the show, of course, also featured vendors. According to some, the deals could have been better. Nonetheless, Andrew found the exact pants he had wanted in the exact size he needed. Which was lucky, because there was only one pair. Gilbert also found a “can’t beat it” price on a mesh riding jacket. I had intended on looking for some Gortex gloves for cold or rainy weather, but the selection for one’s hands was pathetic. It’s not that there weren’t a gazillion gloves there; it’s just that they were either cheap and ugly or not what I needed and very expensive. As for that Harley display... I was in Buell heaven! They had not one, but two of my next bike (one day!), the Buell Lightning XB12Scg. The “cg” marks the Lightning that has lowered suspension and a shorter seat height. The translucent orange and solid black models were both on display. The wicked cool leaning display stand I had only ever seen in pictures before also proudly showed off the CityX in translucent blue. A few other odds and ends about the show include a blood donor clinic, a really long line for expensive pizza with only once choice for flavour, a small fashion show at the Harley display, and a live band playing a few tunes in some other manufacturer’s display. Overall, I considered the show to be a nice opportunity to get out and do something a little different (and bike related), so it was worth it for me for that. Many commented that the deals could have been better, the displays more exciting, and the sport bike customs more plentiful. Those who had gone before said that this year was inferior to others. I probably wouldn’t go to this particular show again next year, but I am really looking forward to the opportunity to attend the supposedly bigger and better Toronto show instead. And who knows? Maybe I will even be so lucky as to meet Charley Boorman in the big smoke. I heard he went last year. :)
Andrew tries the new Ninja 650R on for size. From discussions on our Blast Yahoo! Group, I have gathered that this bike is meant to replace the 500R as an entry level Kawasaki. The naked version, at the time only available in Europe, is much more attractive than this one.
I love the vintage feel of this Triumph on display.
If he couldn't have a Lightning, Andrew would probably want a Speed Triple. Even if he may never have a chance to test ride one, at least he got to sit on it.
My next two wheeled vehicle, after the Lightning...?
Ape hangers and a V-Rod. Now there's an oxymoron.
When is fat not phat?
This is the Lightning Low. The same Lightning I said I had to get before the pink scooter. The translucent orange is cool, but I prefer my bikes black, so I will get either the solid black, or the smokey translucent black that might one day be available on this bike as well as the CityX. Or maybe I'll just get a few extra sets of body work and swap to suit my mood.
The infamous Buell leaning display would be a perfect way to display my Blast in my living room once I retire it for my Lightning (er, and once I have my own living room).
What's a bike show without a three wheeled bath / shower / outhouse trike combo? Does still need a hot water heater though...
It's not just Harleys and other cruisers that get customized. |
