Indianapolis International Motorcycle Show Feb 15-17, 2013

[BockinBboy]

http://www.motorcycleshows.com/indianapolis

My fiance and I are planning to go on Saturday the 16th that weekend.  Anyone else planning on going?

- Bboy

[jestercinti]

Went to this last year. Small. The other larger event in the other exhibition halls at the state fairgrounds were boat and truck shows.

Thought it was ok, but I've been to better. That said, could be a good time this year. Lots of drawings and giveaways though. You could win something. On the fence if I am going or not. Wife's family lives in Indianapolis Indiana and used to live there for 7 years a while back.

Last year I won something supposedly, but never worked out. It was a small mom and pop place, and never could get a straight answer.  I stopped calling them, and they never contacted me again. All verbal. Typical with those sort of agreements.

[bombsquad83]

I was thinking of going when it's in Rosemont convention center up by o'hare airport. There is also a new cycle gear store open near there in Schaumburg.  I think it's February 20-21 or something.

[BockinBboy]

We weighed out going to either one.  The one in Chicago is a little further for us, but if its bigger/better it may be more worth the extra drive.  I was thinking it was actually the week before Indy, like 8-10th at Rosemont.

- Bboy

[bombsquad83]

Yep, you are right.  It's the 8th-10th.

[Watevaman]

 I'm not near Indianapolis but I am planning on going to the one in D.C. this weekend. It's organized by the same group I guess, so I'll leave my impressions afterwards.

[jestercinti]

BockinBboy,

Looks like I can tentatively make this..I'll know for sure in a few days.  It's a 2 hour drive from Cincinnati.  My buddy from Ft. Wayne, Ind. usually comes along too.

I'll be in the car cause it's really cold outside.

[BockinBboy]

Definately keep me posted, we're still over a month out and plans can change faster than the weather for anybody.  We booked the weekend over since there are other events we wanted to go to near there that weekend, so we are pretty locked in for going.  Should be a fun weekend.

...and we won't be riding there either as my fiance doesn't have cold gear.

- Bboy

[jestercinti]

Confirmed.  I'll PM you closer to the time.

Baring any emergency, I'll be there.  It's on the calendar...which in my house means it's in stone.

[adidasguy]

"Junior" won't be there, but you will find other bikes worthy of your attention.

Check out the CBR500.
The new (new to the USA) Suzuki Inasuza 250 is kind of fugley and really should be a 500.
Kawasaki has a Ninja 300 in place of the 250 and 500. Meh. Same problem of gas tank too wide I sit spread eagle on it.
Nothing really in the mid-standard style except the CBR500. Seems they're missing the market. Nothing really in the 250 range either for the around-town commuting.

Lots of cruisers and crotch rockets - and most of those are getting really ugley like a hornet that got squished up and wheels added. No nice clean lines and good styling. Everything going sharp angles and industrial or as I like to say: "Designed by a 10 year old with their first drawing program - all straight, short lines. No smooth lines or curves."

Good show to attend. Here I was hoping for more shoe companies. All the helmet people were there so trying on helmets was worth it. Bought a new one there.

Enjoy!

[jestercinti]

I kind of like the new GW250...but I have not seen it in person.  Will be the judge when I see it then.

I do wish it was a 500, however.

[BockinBboy]

Good show to attend. Here I was hoping for more shoe companies. All the helmet people were there so trying on helmets was worth it. Bought a new one there.

I'll be on the lookout for helmets and fitment, both my fiance and I need them... Ours are about 5 years old, they'll be good for backups, but they are at the end of their safe lifetimes.  I also wanted to look into some riding footwear, so hopefully there is a little turnout in Indy on that.

- Bboy

[BockinBboy]

I'm not near Indianapolis but I am planning on going to the one in D.C. this weekend. It's organized by the same group I guess, so I'll leave my impressions afterwards.

Did you end up going? How was it?

- Bboy

[BockinBboy]

One month away!

- Bboy

[jestercinti]

1 week away. PM me for details.

[bombsquad83]

I'm going with the wife tomorrow in Chicago.  I'll report back.

[BockinBboy]

One week. Woot! 

- Bboy

[jestercinti]

Bombsquad, how did it go in Chicago?

[bombsquad83]

It was good.  It was very busy at the venue.  The vendor booth area was especially packed.  There wasn't much of great interest to look at in the vendor area anyway.  Much more "gear" directed at the Harley crowd than anything else.  The bike area was crowded, but you could get around, and you could pretty easily get a chance to sit on just about any bike you wanted.  For me, that was the best part.  Getting the chance to sit 2-up on many of the bikes with my wife to try them out.  They also had some Grand Prix bikes on display, which was cool to see.  Lastly, they had some private highly modified bikes on display.  Most of these were too gimmicky to be really interesting.

I learned that due to some of her physical issues, she prefers not having a very tall bike to have to get on and off, which takes some of the "adventure" sport tourers that I had in mind a bit more off the table for the future.  The bike she actually found the most comfortable to sit on was the Kawasaki Ninja 650, so I'll be seriously considering one of those for my next bike.  She also liked the BMW F 800 GT, but that's a bit out of my price range for the forseeable future.  I also sat on the new Honda 500s.  The seating position was similar to the GS, but I din't have much time to compare as I felt a little rushed at the Honda area.  Here are some pictures below.  I should have gotten more of the crowds and the general feel, but it's difficult to be "that guy" not moving in the middle of a crowd.

[jestercinti]

Awesome!  Can't wait to go tomorrow.  BockinBboy and I will be there in Indy.