Going to NYC IMS show tomorow

[cozy]

Anything i should not miss? Bringing the dig camera.
Also is gear cheap at these shows? I haven't been before.

[octane]

Is it at the Javits Center? Never been to the bike show, just the auto show, but if memory serves they don't sell gear. Just window shopping! Take lots of pics!

[JamesG]

We are going to it when it get down here to Atlanta later this month!

[john]

I have gone the last 3 years.  I can't go this year but usually its a good show.  Lots of bikes and you can sit on most of them -I decided to buy the z1000 after I went to the show.  What makes it nice is no pesky salesman, just bikes to look at and sit on and literature if you ask for it.

There are some vendors there that makes custom vinyl deacals while you wait, gear, clothing, performance parts and much more.  Lots and lots of vendors!

I wish I could go but it doesn't look like it will be possible  

[jlfrench]

is it usually really crowded (i.e. can't get at the bikes you want to see first hand) and how is parking situation on saturdays???

[pantablo]

how crowded depends on day and time. weekends much more crowded, saturday moreso than sunday I heard. Parking for motorcycles was free in L.A. and plenty of it here.

Lots of vendors selling gear at huge mark downs. I saw full one peice suits of good quality (Joe Rocket something) for $200-$300. Should have bought one.

sometimes crowded enough to have to wait a bit to get on bike but its usually not too long.

check out the new ducati 749 dark and the retro ducati's (GT1000 looked pretty cool).

Also, I found it interesting to sit on all the comparable bikes to the sv650 (the most common second bike it seems) like the fazer fz6, honda's 599 etc. Don't miss the Moto Guzzi bikes...

have fun.

[jlfrench]

not to thread hijack, but what did you think of the yamaha, and the honda in comparison to the 650 for sitting comfort...

[pantablo]

the honda did not leave an impression on me as I cant seem to remember it much. The fz6 felt top heavy to me but otherwise pretty comfortable-if not a bit TOO upright; soft seat. The faired SV felt more aggressive in posture and lighter but not as comfy as the fz6. But that is only sitting on the bike, dry-no fuel in tank- and not moving...moving may change things. Once you're at speed the air will take soem weight off your wrists on the SV. Personally, more important was the feel of the motor when I rode a 1st gen sv650 and I didn't care for it at all...just preference though-great bikes. I wouldnt be caught dead on the fz6 though...something about it just isn't right.

Going to see the Triumph Speed four cinched it for me though, as that bike felt nice and balanced, not too heavy and fit me very comfortably. Then I test rode one the following weekend and took every ounce of energy to NOT buy it on the spot.

[jlfrench]

thanks for the input, read about the fz6 after i bought the 650, caught myself drooling at the 20+ extra hp, and the exhaust location...  always looking for a reassuring nay on the fz6...

[Turkina]

I'm going to brave the crowds and go in this afternoon.  I'd like to know what the storage space under the FZ6 seat looks like.  Heard the exhaust cuts in.  Undertail exhaust may be cool, but not when you need a bag to carry some necessities.  Or something like that.

[spotswood_suzuki]

I went to the show on Friday and it was packed.  I did learn from last year and pre bought tickets so it saved me 40+ minutes in line to buy them.  I must say I liked the look of the new GS.  They only had an unfaired SV650...not the S model which I was really suprised at.  I do like the look and feel of the FZ6.  I think the most hp for the buck was the speed 4, but not sure I like the style(sorry Pablo).  The funniest part was the line of people waiting to get an autograph from the OCC boys.  Last year they had alot of nice bikes and you could walk up and talk to them and see the bikes.  This year it was wall to wall people...I think they only had about 5 bikes to show and nothing really stood out.  I guess they are enjoying their 15 minutes of fame......

Wayne

[70 Cam Guy]

thanks for the input, read about the fz6 after i bought the 650, caught myself drooling at the 20+ extra hp, and the exhaust location...  always looking for a reassuring nay on the fz6...

I can honestly say that I was disappointed with the fairing on the FZ6.  Its too wide and goofy looking IMO.  Also I don't buy into the the flashy guages.  Give me analog tach any day.  I admit the beside the fairing, its a sweet bike and very comfortable.  I agree it could really use some drag bars or S-M bars but I like a moderate sport ergo's like a Super Hawk has.  Its too bad they didn't import a couple thousand of the true naked ones because then I think you'd be having buyer's remorse

The only thing your SV really is down on is the power.  It has that Vtwin sound with the right pipe and no i4 can replicate that sweet sound.

I heard the Ducati Sport Classics were at the NYC show.  I'm jelous for sure  :mrgreen:

[Turkina]

I really liked the FZ6, but a couple things I'd change.  I agree that the riding position is a bit upright.  Could use a set of S-M bars that bring things one inch down and an inch or so forward.  And for tall people like me, rearset could be a little more to the rear so your knees hit the tank a little lower.  I also really liked the YZF600.  Oh, and the Interceptor. The SV650 felt really comfortable, but a little small like the GS for me.

Ive decidied a couple things though, mostly relating to my legs.  I don't want a cruiser.  Unless spread-eagled is your thing, how do people sit on them with the wide tank that's found on some models.  And where do manufacturers want you to put your legs when you stop?  My shins were right on the cylinder heads on the BMW boxer engines while sitting on the bike like i would during a stop.  The same with fairings., my legs would dig into the edge of the fairing unless I consciously put my legs wide and towards the rear.  Rearsets... please don't make bikes where if the balls of my feet are on the pegs, my heel hits the pillion pegs, exhaust, some other part of the bike, or forces my feet to be in some awkward position.  That's just stupid.  Also, bikes with clip-ons for the most part I think would be really uncomfortable except at speed.  Especially the GSXRs, I didn't like them at all for comfort.

As for the other displays... OCC attracted a horde of people.  They were signing autographs and had to yell at the people to keep them from getting out of hand and taking liberties.  Although it made them seem like asses, I would understand it if you were surrounded by a huge crowd for hours on end.  That's just ridiculous.  I did get a glimpse of the guys, seeing Mikey there signing stuff was cool, he always has a great attitude on the show.  The stunt rider booths were cool, with the videos and all, but they shouldn't be showing clips of people not wearing gear since that stuff can be horribly dangerous.  I did like one girl's bike with a little roll cage instead of frame sliders!  Some other booths... as for custom cruisers and custom sport bikes, some designs kicked ass, but I saw many that just had maybe a chromed out frame, powder coated bits, and a spiffy airbrushing.  Ummm, okay, you're so special.  

They need to extend the show one more day.  There was way too many people.  Plenty of families with the dad with an OCC shirt pushing around the stroller  :mrgreen:   Of course, an overabundance of Harley Whores (no slight meant to H-D owners here!  You own other bikes too) and booths catering to their chrome and flair fixes (you're not wearing enough flair!  :lol: ).  And motorcycle clubs and groups I've never heard before...

Oh yeah, and that's my review.  Light on the technical details

ps - the new GS looks absolutely dorky with that fairing and the standard style handlebars.  Not to mention it seems like a Toyota Tercel with a big wing and a fat tailpipe.  Thay could stuff a liquid cooled 400cc engine in there from a Japan spec bike, couldn't they? Our naked ones are much cooler  yay I love my GS the way it is... with a few mods of course!