Chicago International Motorcycle Show

[Park Ridge Phil]

It was nice to see Windy City Triumph with a small Guzzi display. Only 2 Guzzis and a couple Aprilias.  Had a nice talk with a couple of the guys at the booth. All good. The Ton Up guys also had a couple Guzzis there along with some other nice vintage machines. 😎

[leafman60]

I can remember a few years ago when MGNA had a traveling truck that tried to make all the show around the country.

They even had a full contingent of the then-new CARC bikes at Bike Week in Daytona for demo rides.

[bad Chad]

I recall those years as well.   Makes me wonder if doing the shows makes any difference in sales?  They did them for years and sold aprox 600 a year in NA.  They haven't done them in the last 3 years, and sales are up significanlly as a percentage.

[blackcat]

They even had a full contingent of the then-new CARC bikes at Bike Week in Daytona for demo rides.

I purchased my Norge based on those demo rides in Daytona.

[rocker59]

I recall those years as well.   Makes me wonder if doing the shows makes any difference in sales?  They did them for years and sold aprox 600 a year in NA.  They haven't done them in the last 3 years, and sales are up significanlly as a percentage.

:1:

IMS is expensive and doesnt offer a lot of return

[canuguzzi]

:1:

IMS is expensive and doesnt offer a lot of return

Depends on if you have something to show. If you have two bikes, probably not work the cost of coffee and paper cups.

Now, if there were something to really draw attention...

[bad Chad]

The two bikes at this years show are at a dealers stand.  In years past Guzzi brought all of their bikes, and for a small MFG, they had a reasonably good set up, it still didn't sell many bikes.

[JoeW]

It was nice to see Windy City Triumph with a small Guzzi display. Only 2 Guzzis and a couple Aprilias.  Had a nice talk with a couple of the guys at the booth. All good. The Ton Up guys also had a couple Guzzis there along with some other nice vintage machines. 😎

I was representing at the Ton Up booth. They were nice enough to invite me to join them. I brought the black V7 Sport and the custom V7 Racer. I'll have the Racer at The Mama Tried show in Milwaukee next weekend, come on up! http://mamatriedshow.com/

[circlip]

I made the trek to the show yesterday. It has probably been 20 years since I visited the Chicago show and I've decided that perhaps ten years between motorcycle shows is all I really need. I had a nice talk with the people at Windy City and also at the Triumph booth, discussing the new Bonnevilles. I was pleased to see EBR there and I spoke to them about their plans for future motorcycle production. I also enjoyed viewing the Enfields even if I'm afraid to buy one. The vintage bikes that the Norton Club, the Vintage Japanese Club (is that the correct name?) and at Ton-Up were lots of fun to view. I particularly enjoyed seeing the Morini 3 1/2 Sport that Ton Up had at the back of their booth.

My personal rant that I've been developing over the last few years came to mind while wandering the floor of the show. I officially qualify as an old fart, growing up with the Triumphs, Nortons, Harleys and Japanese bikes of the late sixties and early seventies. It seems to me that a lot of the new bikes are getting physically larger (like the new Honda Africa Twin or the BMW GS or KTM...). Maybe it's just me, but I prefer the svelte lines of a Bonneville to the humongous ADV bikes that I'm seeing. I do like the ADV style of motorcycles, but my experiences come from riding Morini Camels and the early BMW GS80 models. Maybe it's just me, but I'm starting to think that my Breva 1100 is too large and I might be happier with a V7. Well, it's easy to sit and rant when the thermometer is hovering at 20 with a forecast of snow....

[Arizona Wayne]

I made the trek to the show yesterday. It has probably been 20 years since I visited the Chicago show and I've decided that perhaps ten years between motorcycle shows is all I really need. I had a nice talk with the people at Windy City and also at the Triumph booth, discussing the new Bonnevilles. I was pleased to see EBR there and I spoke to them about their plans for future motorcycle production. I also enjoyed viewing the Enfields even if I'm afraid to buy one. The vintage bikes that the Norton Club, the Vintage Japanese Club (is that the correct name?) and at Ton-Up were lots of fun to view. I particularly enjoyed seeing the Morini 3 1/2 Sport that Ton Up had at the back of their booth.

My personal rant that I've been developing over the last few years came to mind while wandering the floor of the show. I officially qualify as an old fart, growing up with the Triumphs, Nortons, Harleys and Japanese bikes of the late sixties and early seventies. It seems to me that a lot of the new bikes are ...). Maybe it's just me, but I prefer the . Maybe it's just me, but I'm starting to think that my Breva 1100 is too large and I might be happier with a V7. Well, it's easy to sit and rant when the thermometer is hovering at 20 with a forecast of snow....

Maybe it's just me................. .I might be happier with a V7.




It's not just you.  It's many of us older riders.   I started on a 250 Yamaha twin and am progressing back to that era as I age.  Back then(early`60's) big bikes didn't even weigh 500#.  Now they're up to 900#.   Like cars, trucks, bikes just keep on getting bigger.

[LowRyter]

:1:

IMS is expensive and doesnt offer a lot of return

But I wonder if the MG can subsidize the local dealers to show Guzzis as what was done at the Chicago Show?

[Joliet Jim]

Good time at the show yesterday with my daughter. It was good to look at the new Triumphs, Ducatis, Indians and a few others. It was nice that Windy City brought a couple of Guzzis and Aprilias to the show though I did see more people in Guzzi wear than bikes. That said the new Triumphs are really sweet looking. KTM had a nice display. Yamaha had  some interesting looking Bolts and the Indian Scouts may be the best value in motorcycling. Super low center of gravity.  Brie really liked the new triumph twin, the scout 60, sr 400, and all the vintage cafes.
regarding th shows in general it reminds me of when I'd be asked to do a cost benefit analysis of computer software and hardware in public accounting. Sometimes you just need to do it because all your competition is and if you want to be considered you just need to be there.

[Joliet Jim]

It also amazes me that dealers can see benefit in having their own displays in addition to mfr displays, Windy City, Woodstock, Highlands, Nielson, etc.

[brenwin]

Maybe it's just me................. .I might be happier with a V7.




It's not just you.  It's many of us older riders.   I started on a 250 Yamaha twin and am progressing back to that era as I age.  Back then(early`60's) big bikes didn't even weigh 500#.  Now they're up to 900#.   Like cars, trucks, bikes just keep on getting bigger.

I started out on a 250 Yamaha twin and then to a 67 Triumph Trophy which back then seemed behemoth . I just picked up an 04 Ballabio and will be selling the Stelvio . It's 100 lbs lighter and much easier to push around the garage . Dropping the Stelvio in the garage and not being able to get it back up by myself was my cue to downsize ! There was a day when the grunt and strength was still there ....oh well , still riding though !

[Cal3Me]

In past years local dealers had to do it all on their own. I remember one year many many years ago when just the president of MGNA Fran Cantaldo was just standing around handing out brochures. If it wasn't for his name tag I wouldn't have even noticed him.

When our local Illinois chapter had a club booth there we always had a lot of interest in the bikes and gave out club newsletters and information on goods & services. We even received kudos from MGNA when they visited us one year. Shortly after that MG started displaying bikes for a few years in a joint effort with Ducati.

[Joliet Jim]

Nice Norton display as always Tim, I'd still take the old one over the new one

[bad Chad]

I recall about 10 years ago, I was at the show wearing a new Guzzi T-shirt.  I was just hanging around the factory Guzzi set up, what else was I going to do?  I had several of the unwashed approach me and ask questions about the various bikes on display!  I was happy to inform them about as to their inquires, as I new at least as much and likely more than the official reps!  That was fun, wish I had the same opportunity again.

[bad Chad]

I wish Tim would still do the MGNOC table!  That was great, hell I'd even join again just to have the chance to hang out behind the table, sit down and stash my coat!

[John Ulrich]

In past years local dealers had to do it all on their own.

Same up here in MN.  The local dealer(s) pay for their own space and bring the bikes they choose.  Zero help from the mother ship.

The Guzzi Demo rig was retired to a MN farm field after getting "baptized" in Money Creek in 2007.   

[bad Chad]

I was told by one of our local dealers that indeed the Mother Ship does pitch in some money, if a dealer wants to do the show, but it doesn't come close to covering the whole cost.

[Joliet Jim]

Same up here in MN.  The local dealer(s) pay for their own space and bring the bikes they choose.  Zero help from the mother ship.

The Guzzi Demo rig was retired to a MN farm field after getting "baptized" in Money Creek in 2007.   

Strangest motorcycle vision I've ever had Guzzis underwater with their blinkers flashing.

[John Ulrich]

I was told by one of our local dealers that indeed the Mother Ship does pitch in some money, if a dealer wants to do the show, but it doesn't come close to covering the whole cost.

Excellent.....times are changing!   

[LowRyter]

I was told by one of our local dealers that indeed the Mother Ship does pitch in some money, if a dealer wants to do the show, but it doesn't come close to covering the whole cost.

Sometimes the dealers are selling helmets and gear (I suppose it's a matter of floor space in the exhibit).    But it is a way to market and sell motorcycles. 

with 3 Guzzi dealers in DFW, I was hopeful that one dealer would step forward.  At the same time, there were no Triumphs on display at Dallas either.

[segesta]

I drove all the way from my house to the convention center by O'Hare for the motorcycle show, then got into the line for parking. But it was so long, and the crowd promised to be so huge, that I gave up, turned around, and went home.

I'm the Lutheran Larry David.

[Park Ridge Phil]

 You must of been in the parking area across the street by the hotels. Other options are the CTA lot about 1/2 mi north of the show. I usually park in that lot for $5 and walk if it's not inclement weather or take the shuttle to the door, or they also have valet parking, $25, near the entrance. Your car is inside and out of the elements and you just walk into the show from there. 😎

[Joliet Jim]

 Coming from the south I get off 294 at balmoral and go in the garage the back way. No line at all.