I went to our 'local' big motorcycle show in Abbotsford yesterday. For the first time ever I joined 100+ other enthusiasts on two coaches organised by the local Yamaha shop, and let someone else do the driving.
As I walked around the show I couldn't help but notice how many manufacturers seem to be copying each other in the name of what is supposedly popular. Is it my imagination, or are there more V-twin cruisers than ever being foisted on the public? I have to admit up front that cruisers are not to my taste, but surely a potential customer must be totally baffled by the choices out there. Perhaps that's a good thing.....?
And the repli-racers seem to be spawning clones left right and centre.....
On reflection I suppose nothing really changes in the world of motorcycling, because when I started riding in the early '70's the punter only had one choice of machine, across the engine size spectrum, and that was what we now call a 'standard' or naked bike.
The machines that caught my eye:
The selection of classic Brit bikes on the British M/C Owners Club stand...including an identical (if slightly older) '71 Commando like mine. (Mental note: got to change the colour, since black/gold is very common). Also a nice Norton Dominator, Bonneville, BSA Gold star (I think) and BSA Rocket 3.
The Honda stand had all of the new stuff, but also a trio of classics, including an early '60s CL77 Scrambler, a 750 racer and a Super Cub.
Of the modern stuff the only bikes that caught my eye were the new Versys and KLR650 from Kawasaki and the updated BMW650 singles.
Triumph dropped the ball, big time, by not even being there, and the only dealer stand which had Triumphs on display had no brochures.
As we walked out to the coach afterwards we passed the lines of parked bikes left by those flatlanders who are lucky enough to be riding at this time of year. There were 20-30 different bikes parked side by side and they all looked exactly the same!
BOF, aren't I?
