DC Progressive International Motorcycle Show
Progressive International Motorcycle Show January 13th-15th, 2012
Panorama from the front
“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” – Don Williams, Jr.
This quote is a concise poetic way to describe what I have felt on every ride, even if it’s only to the bank or grocery. Ride after tempting ride, with multiple weights of oil coursing through my veins, it was inevitable that I would give in to the motorcycle world. Since riding my friends’ bikes, and even cracking the engine block on a 2010 Ducati 696, I have become addicted to two wheels. I have been to all the motorcycle shops in the DC area and to the Progressive International Motorcycle Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, several times before. This particular trip, was the trip to help me decide which one sums me up on two wheels and purchase this spring!
It’s important to me to find something that would meet my criteria for a bike that would suit me for a few seasons and not outgrow it in a couple of months. It should be comfortable to ride a good distance without it being too cumbersome or audacious. Yeah, I want to get noticed on my bike, but like a dog fits the owner, I want it to fit me. From what I have gathered in a lot of reviews is that wind buffeting can occur on some bikes at as low as 65mph and can be very unsettling to new riders like myself. Now this doesn’t mean I am going to go against comfort and go for a sleek super sport crotch-rocket like a Suzuki Hayabusa, but they are bad ass! Also, I am looking for a bike that is extremely balanced. Matt Farah of TheSmokingTire.com reviewed the bike I had been yearning to own. The BMW F800R. It’s a brilliant looking bike, wind buffeting isn’t severe, it’s comfortable, gorgeous, nimble and plenty of power. Everything I am looking for until 80-85mph. The opposed twin cylinder engine starts to shake. I’m not sure I could live with this, so the journey moves on. Thanks Matt for reviewing the almost perfect naked bike!
Upon arriving, greeted warmly and collecting my Media pass, I got ready to throw my leg around numerous two wheel beasts. I could tell by the plethora of bikes that this was going to be hard to decide! I love the look and stance of the naked streetfighters like the Ducati Monsters and Triumph Triples, but may want the wind protection from a full fairing super sport bike like the Suzuki GSX-Rs. I have to remember comfort along the way without buying a Honda Gold Wing. So what now what do this leave me? Are there any in betweens that could fit my needs? This seems to be the best solution I have found so far:
The Kawasakai Ninja 1000
2012 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
I know what your are thinking, but it’s not a super sport! Look closer. The handle bars are raised so that you are not tucked over, but in a more relaxed upright seating position. The seat height is low enough for my 5’9″ body to stand comfortably and it’s much more narrow than most 1000′s I have been on. Motorcycle-USA.com says, “The power band is wide” and at 123 horsepower it is only 20 less than the bigger super sports. (That could be raised after chipping, exhaust, and intake!) An innovative three way adjustable windscreen for colder days or longer highway driving helps redirect air immensely. Throw on a tank bag and put together with the three way adjustable shocks makes it a well rounded light-duty tourer. I have to say that this was a big surprise to me with all the other options out there. But when compared to similar bikes, what you get for the price moves it ahead in my book. So this is the bar. The starting point, if you will, for my search for the universal solution. Again I’m looking for one bike that I could use for navigating the french made streets of the Nation’s Capitol to work. Or go big and try out the curves of The Shenandoah’s famous Skyline Drive or a trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I think I may have found my solution unless something else comes along before the big purchase. Thanks to Sam at the show for taking the time to talk to me about it.
Now in a world of perfection and unlimited income, which TheShifts.com doesn’t have (*cough* donate *cough*), ahem I would go with following. Hey unlimited income means I can have a different bike for different situations right? Let me do the dreaming here!
For those easy days to the office with a wheelie or two and the occasional ride out of town down Clara Barton and Rock Creek Park this would be the bike:
Triumph Street Triple R
This naked streetfighter is just mean! The Speed Triples’ triple cylinder engine balances the perfect amount of torque and horsepower for easy rides without have to downshift at every corner. They changed the headlights this year from the bug-eyed look, to more of a scowling/shocked look. The single side swing arm saves weight and just looks so much sportier than the smaller Street Triple R. I personally, feel the gauge and lower cowlings are a must. Odd, that the latter doesn’t help as much in aerodynamics as it does in eye appeal. It just draws it down like a chefs knife to a cutting board. Now, this bike being naked doesn’t shield you much from wind. Although, as I am not expecting to see it on long hauls, it wouldn’t keep me from taking it out and thrashing it locally. Fully exposed mechanics are not covered up by a large frame and plastic bits like you see on the beastly Z1000 or the CB1000R. Both bikes are awesome, but my love goes with the Triumph.
Now if I wanted to show up to get noticed and set off car alarms all over the city and embarrass “Weekend Warriors” this would be my weapon of choice:
Brawler GT
I have to admit, being a car guy, that Darwin Motorcycles are new to me. With that being said, when I saw the Brawler GT3 at the show I came to a complete stop. Good thing I got into the show thirty minutes early, because I found this bike fifteen minutes into my viewing. I stood there alone eyeing every inch of this machined monster until they let the masses in. Of course they immediately headed to their favorite vendors, but a few noticed me standing alone staring at some badass manmade chunk of metal something off the side of the main viewing areas. After a few more congregated silently, someone asked, “What is it?” A sprightly little kid spoke up with, “THAT’S a motorcycle!” He was right. This is what bikes are about. A fully exposed magnificent engine, exhaust wrapped in a silver metal looking tape, and hardware that looked like one man had hand made and meticulously put together with care and plenty of time. The paint finish, the low slung look, and the wide belt housing was too much to take in with a glance. Ok, this bike had me speechless. I had to sit on it. I straddled the bike and it just fit. A huge smile crept across my face just imagining a stop at an intersection and people just staring like we all were at that moment. Everything on it was special to me. From the tiny speedo gauge to the bad ass wheels that looked like they were designed by a mad man that only drives American muscle cars from the 70′s that gets gallons to the mile instead of low MPG. It’s sick, but I had to move on to the rest of the show, but I will come back to say goodbye to her before I leave. Yeah yeah, so now I believe in love at first site. You can all chime in with, “I told you so” here. Damn.
And now for the days I wanted to reenact a Tom Cruise “Mission Improbable” scenario this is the perfect missile to deliver to my enemies on and off the local tracks:
Ducati 1199 Panigale
Ducati apparently has placed “checkmate” on the competition with the all new 1199 Panigale. I knew some dark redesign had been done as soon as my eyes made contact with it. Was it the full LED headlights, the odd looping exhaust pipe above the rear tire, or the placement of the rear suspension. Of course! It was all of the plus the DCT, Ducati’s traction control system, and that bad ass display that reassembles itself like a Transformer going into battle when you put it in “Race” mode. It’s lighter, tighter, and more powerful! Just like girlfriend you want to have! Fully adjustable suspension via electronics and this year, get this, 195 bhp!!! That’s more than most daily drivers and weighs just a little more than two of me! (wet weight goes up to 414.5lb) I like the 1198 and the 1098, but this thing has demon written all over it. On the track you would only see your opponents from behind if your lap counter clicks one higher than theirs!
What!? Have the past selections not been nostalgic enough to hang with your Cafe Racer groups!? Well I said unlimited income so, BAZINGA! My bar crawler cafe racer of choice:
Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer
I do love the Thruxtons and Ducati Sport 1000s but have always felt like those companies met their niche with the aforementioned bikes. If I am going to buy a factory built cafe racer, I want something different. Enter the Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer. It has the sweet nostalgic look from yesteryear with sophisticated parts used in today’s motorcycles like full Brembo brakes and Ohlins reservoir-style shocks. The 961cc parallel twin gives you plenty of power and revving feedback without rattling the bolts loose. The silver and black is the crowd favorite with the black front fender and rims with contrasting gold Ohlins front fork. This all makes me wanna throw on a half shell helmet and goggles, and race down to Sticky Rice or The Queen Vic in the Atlas District here in the Nation’s Capitol on top of this Norton. This is a dream I would love have turn into reality. Come on Powerball numbers!
Unfortunately, my cameraman had a personal emergency and couldn’t make the show. So I had to make lemonade. This time my muddler was my iPhone 4, so the photos didn’t come out as well as Tony’s would have, even with the help of the app Snapseed. Oh well get over it, I like lemonade, especially with some whiskey or vodka. So drink up and check these out! We will start with my favorite:
Darwin Brawler GT3
GT3 with the Cafe Style seat and GT cowling
19" Metzler ME880 up front
POV for a very lucky person!
The detail of machining and polishing still rattles my brain.
KTM 1190 RC8 R
Norton Commando 961 Café Racer
MV Agusta F3
Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition
Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE
Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
EBR 1190RS
Ducati 1199 Panigale
Ducati 1199 Panigale new suspension and exhaust innovative quirks
2012 Speed Triple R
Monster Energy Drink Chopper
Kawasaki Ninja 650
2012 Honda CB1000R
2011 Monster Graves Yamaha R1 Superbike
2012 Yamaha FZ8
Ducati Monster 1100evo
Honda VFR1200F
Kawasaki Ninja 1000
Broward Motorsports Yamaha Roadstar
Rebel Urban Biker Yamaha RoadStar
2012 Yamaha VMAX w/ 6'1" rider
Harley Davidson Iron 883
1910 Harley-Davidson Single
1930 Scott Flying Squirrel
Tribute to Michael Jackson by Eye Candy Designs 2009 Suzuki GSX-R 750
C&C Cycle Inc., Harley Davidson
Motus MST Prototype
2007 Honda CBR600RR by Classic Auto Body & Powder Coating
2003 Kawasaki ZX9R by Meticulous Concepts Sportbike Customizing
Old School Choppers Build Off Entry
The detail on some of the entries were just amazing!
Obama Bike by OneOff Inc.
Crazy hidden detail on the Obama bike by OneOff Inc.
US Air Force bike by KarTunes Inc.
More insane detail on KarTunes Inc's US Air Force bike.
Well protected BMW Enduro by TwistedThrottle.com
CustomChrome.com had this awesome Harley on Display
Special thanks to all the vendors, companies, and sponsors that made this happen. A very special thanks to Progressive International Motorcycle Shows and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in DC. I look forward to next years show!
You have the passion for riding, you can tell by the post. Great Write up and good luck finding the perfect ride. If I could do it all over again I would be riding the Honda VFR 1200. There is nothing wrong with Harley but I have grown to cherish that bike.Again thanks for the post and photos..
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