2016 / 2017 Progressive International Motorcycle Show at Long Beach, CA Aleksa grabs the handlebars in the big Progressive Insurance display area which included complimentary hair cuts, beard shaves, manicures, coffee drinks and a chance to win a custom Honda bar hopper to benefit men's health and cancer research. The only disappointing thing to note, in-line with industry demographics, is that the entire spectator crowd are Baby Boomers with hardly anyone under 40 years old in attendance. The computer age kids just don't care about owning cars and motorcycles. Though they do turn out to watch Supercross and Outdoor Motocross, they have no real desire to work hard at a full or part-time job like we did in our teens to buy and motorcycles.
Just outside the Long Beach Convention Center was the stunt rider show, with motocross stunt riders doing flips off big jumps!
Suzuki has released some exciting new motorcycles for 2017 including an all new GSXR1000 Superbike and a new baby brother GSX250R single cylinder which will appeal to new entry level riders and women. Also taking center stage in the Suzuki display was this new 2018 model year GSXS 1000 naked superbike in a bad-ass Flat Black color scheme. Calling it a 2018 model year bike means it will probably hit dealers in the spring of 2016, as soon as the production run of new GSXRs is complete for the new year.
Roger Hayden's 2016 Yoshimura Suzuki MotoAmerica Superbike was also on display at Suzuki.
Think Pink. One of the custom bike entries with a gold plated vintage big bore single cylinder engine was a real people stopper. The Ultimate Custom Bike Show displays custom bikes in the walking isle throughout the IMS show to keep visitors fully
Above: Aleksa beside the new limited edition of 500 examples Ducati Superleggera 1299 Lightweight Superbike with its all carbon fibre top frame, rear sub frame and swingarm. Wet wight is down around 380 pounds, with some 215hp on tap fora price of USD $80,000. Below: The new Ducati 937cc Testastretta Supersport base model in Red.
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Above: Aleksa with Jonthan Rea's repeat winning 2016 SBK World Superbike Championship winning ZX10R in the Kawasaki
New Monster, Supersport, Superleggera and Desert Scrambler at Ducati The changes for the new 2017 Ducati Monster are most notable in appearance. The fuel tank and tail section have been completely re-shaped with much sharper lines, which makes the bike look a lot sportier. The tail has been shortened by 0.8 inches and the tank narrowed by 0.26 inches, helping that leaner look. In the chassis the 58.5-inch wheelbase is a full inch shorter than that of the previous bike, thanks primarily to a new single-sided swingarm. Rake is 23.3 degrees, 1 degree steeper than before, and trail is about .1-inch shorter at 3.4 inches. Wheelbase and steering geometry changes combined should lead to improved agility and lighter steering. Ducati has also ditched the Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires for Pirelli’s updated Rosso III rubber. The engine, as well, has received some minor updates. The oval throttle bodies are larger, running a "round equivalent" area of 56mm (vs. the previous 1200’s 53mm ones) and an increased compression ratio of 13.0:1 (up from 12.5:1). The Monster 1200, which now meets Euro 4 emissions standards, produces a potent 150 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 93.1 pound-feet of torque at 7,750 rpm—15 horsepower more than the outgoing standard Monster 1200 and 5 more than the outgoing 1200 S. The 2017 Monster 1200 has gotten more and improved gadgetry, with a full-color TFT display, and IMU that feeds the new cornering ABS and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) systems. The 1200 S comes with Ducati Quick Shift standard (clutchless up or down), but it’s an available option (price yet to be confirmed by Ducati) on the standard 1200.
Aleksa takes a ride on the new Ducati Supersport S in Polar White with upgraded Ohlins Suspension and Brembo monoblock brakes. The Supersport line at Ducati returns after an 10-year hiatus, and features the Testastretta engine and a more comfortable semi reclined handlebars. The SuperSport receives the 937cc Testastretta 11-degree engine from the Hypermotard line. The liquid-cooled engine makes 113 horsepower and 71 foot-pounds of torque, and is housed in a Ducati-trademark trellis frame. As with the earlier SuperSport models, the new version takes styling cues from the current Superbike lineup, with a distinct resemblance to the Panigale models. However, ergonomics are more relaxed to make the bike more suitable for medium-distance riding, and the seat height is lower at 31.9 inches. To further increase comfort, the windscreen is adjustable with two positions and 50mm of travel.
The new Ducati Desert Sled isn’t a dirt bike, but it’s a better homage to the Southern California desert racing scene that birthed Ducati's new Scrambler line last year with its off-road-esque styling elements. And like the Scrambler line that it’s inspired by, this Desert Sled promises to actually let you have a little fun off-road, without all the discomfort and engine rock bashing.
The beautiful spokes models in the Ducati display were more than happy to take your picture on one of the new bikes, or pose on a bike for you. This bike is the sexy new Monster 1200R in Black. 2017 Ducati 215hp / 368 lb 1299cc Superleggera
Superleggera 12999 carbon fiber swingarm and wheels.
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The IMS Show Tour across America to most of its major cities has survived, in part, despite the Economic Recession of 2008 which devastated the American motorcycle industry, thanks to new title sponsors like Progressive Insurance. The Show Tour features a big Progressive Insurance display with beautiful spokesmodels that will talk to you and pose for photos like this lovely girl. No matter how much I hate the non-stop Progressive Insurance on TV and in magazines, with their annoying spokesmodel Flo, and their inflated insurance rates to fund their multiple hundreds of millions of dollars advertising campaigns, thankfully they are putting a lot of it back into the American motorcycle industry by sponsoring the IMS and many other motorcycle events.
Indian takes on Harley-Davidson in AMA Pro Flat Track Having now successfully developed a lineup of nine award-winning models, Indian Motorcycle has fully dedicated its resources to a successful return to AMA Pro Flat Track racing with a purpose-built new race-only engine, a clean sheet design race bike, and world-class racing team that reflects the history and rich heritage of the brand. Indian Motorcycle was born out of competition, and throughout its history has used racing to develop and improve the product and expand the appeal of the brand. The #3 Indian Scout FTR750 was piloted in its debut by AMA flat track racing legend Joe Kopp on Sunday, September 25th 2016 at the Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile AMA Pro Flat Track race in Santa Rosa, California. Kopp’s debut of the Indian Scout FTR750 was highly successful with strong heat races that put him on the inside front row for the final race. After quickly locking in his position in “the show” he attacked the Dash for Cash race and won. In the final race, Kopp took a holeshot when the green flag flew, and led the first lap. Over the course of the race the rough track conditions slowed the veteran racer, yet he still earned a solid 7th place in the final. Indian's new all-star 2017 Wrecking Crew: Jared Mees: Multi-time AMA Grand National Champion Jared “Jammer” Mees, 30, won the AMA Grand National Twins Championship in 2009, the AMA Grand National Singles Championship in 2012, and the unified AMA Grand National Championship (GNC1) title in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Mees also became a Gold Medalist in the X Games in 2016, won the Superprestigio of the Americas in 2015, and the Troy Bayliss Classic in 2014. Mees earned a second place in the 2016 season. Mees’ race bike will be handled by legendary flat track tuner Kenny Tolbert. “Indian Motorcycle has its DNA in motorcycle racing. We will continue that push towards excellence on the street and in competition with the introduction of the Indian Scout FTR750,” said Gary Gray, Product Director for Indian Motorcycle. “AMA Pro Flat Track racing is highly competitive and we leaned on a global team for this factory effort and have engaged some of the best riders to exhibit our commitment to this legendary sport. That said, we are entering the series to do one thing – win.” The new Indian Scout FTR750 is powered by an all-new, race-only 750cc V-Twin that was developed in-house for professional flat track competition. The chassis and overall design comes from the team at the Indian Motorcycle’s Medina, Minnesota headquarters with input from highly experienced race team personnel.
They were also large displays throughout the Lon Beach IMS show of classic and vintage bikes which included bikes like this rare Henderson in-line 4-cyclinder machine. Henderson only manufactured 4-cylinder motorcycles from 1912 until 1931. They were the largest and fastest motorcycles of their time and appealed to sport riders and police departments. Police favored them for traffic patrol because they were faster than anything else on the roads. The company began during the golden age of motorcycling, and ended during the Great Depression.
One of the prettiest motorcycles of all time is this early 1960s era Honda CB92 125cc Benly SuperSport.
There was also a big display of vintage Ducati street and race bikes featuring the iconic single cylinder Ducati Bevel Drive engines.
Aleksa stops by the complimentary Coffee Bar in the Progressive Insurance display to sample the roasted beans from the friendly baristas. Return to Pit Lane News • Pit Board Features
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The legendary Eric Buell and the again reborn Eric Buell Racing brand was in their EBR display to show off his two 1190cc V-twin sportbike models. the 1190RX full fairing sportbike and here, the new 1190SX naked sportbike model.
Yamaha USA always gets our attention for putting on the best display of any of the Big Four Japanese manufacturers at the IMS Shows, and for being more deeply involved in the American racing and custom bike scene than any other manufacturer. This year was no exception with an exciting a display of racing bikes and riders featuring Cameron Beaubier MotoAmerica AMA National Superbike Championship winning Graves Yamaha M1, and 250cc Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross and Monster Energy East Supercross Champion Jeremy Martin in attendance with the Monster Energy Spokes models to meet the fans for autographs and pose for photos.
Above: 250cc Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross and Monster Energy East Supercross Champion Jeremy Martin, and MotoAmerica AMA National Superbike Championship Cameron Beaubier gives us the thumbs up.
The hits just keep on happening..... A beautiful' 60s era Yamaha YM1 250cc Street Scrambler, when manufacturers could put Trials Tires and Upswept Pipes on their street bike model and call it an off road scrambler.
Here is the all-new 2017 Honda CBR 1000RR with top shelf Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes, an ongoing evolution of their long running in-line 4-cylinder design. What we did not get from Honda was a more affordable example of their very expensive RSV-4 limited production superbike, displayed at the show last year, which many of us had hoped they would introduce for 2017 to compete in World Superbike. Nicky Hayden will have to make do with this bike in World Superbike for 2017, which hopefully will be as competitive as title holding Kawasaki ZX10 which is also an in-line 4-cylinder bike.
Above: Aleksa checks out Jonthan Rea's repeat winning 2016 SBK World Superbike Championship winning ZX10R in the Kawasaki display.
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