IMS in New York Brings Out Riders

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

NEW YORK – The end result of a long ride is often a sore butt. The end result of hours spent pounding the floor of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show is sore feet, and this year’s event this weekend was no exception. While no manufacturer used the show to introduce a totally new model, Victory did take the cover off a 15th anniversary edition Cross Country Tour.

Other manufacturers used the show to give rider their first glimpses of previously announced new models. For instance, Honda showed off the Honda’s CB1100.

Harley-Davidson brought some examples of its 110th anniversary bikes. Before the show opens to the public at noon Friday, workers spent time polishing bikes in the Harley display to make sure they sparkled.

The IMS wouldn’t be the IMS without a Ducati fashion show. Did anyone who watched actually notice the apparel that was being displayed?

The most elaborate display belonged to Indian, which had Mike Wolfe of “American Pickers” showing off the 1935 Indian Chief that he sold the company. Also displayed by Indian was Burt Munro’s 1920 Indian Scout. Wolfe (below, left) is pictured with Steve Menneto, vice president of Indian and Victory.

Part of the fun of the IMS in running into familiar faces, and an entire group of friends from Torrington, CT, attended the show on Friday afternoon.

Particularly eye-catching was a display of motorcycle artist David Uhl’s work.

Besides the manufacturer displays and the vendor booths, the IMS has a show within a show with bike builder customs. Included the mix were examples of an Indian and a Triumph.

The only bad part about the IMS is that weeks are spent anticipating it, and it comes and goes so quickly. RIDE-CT gathered a lot of information and spent a lot of time sitting on seats of new models (if only to take weight off the feet) and will have more info in the coming days.