How can you have the "First Annual" of anything. I mean really. I suppose you could say the "Second Annual" of something, and no problem thereafter. But First Annual?
Well we did it here this weekend, the First Annual Blacktop Nationals Car Truck and Motorcycle Show. Participants around the area brought in their vehicles to show off. There was also an auction and various vendors had booths to sell wares. Ford Motor Co was a major sponsor
There weren't a lot of motorcycles on display. Maybe they didn't get the message. But there were some interesting ones to look at. I'll do a separate post on the autos.
This old Indian motorcycle was probably the finest motorcycle on display, my opinion only.
The downtown area was lined with cars on display for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The hope is that the event will be even bigger next year. Judging from the number of people there on Saturday afternoon, the event was a success, and might be even bigger next year.
A 1964 Cushman Scooter in fine conditionThere seemed to be more motorcycles parked near the display area rather than being displayed. Around here that means lots of Harleys.
A definate non-Harley. A taxi from Thailand.
A nice early to mid 80's Honda
And another one.
A Triumph Bonneville
The Harley dealership trailer with a few bikes on display.
They had yellow tags on some of the bikes on display, indicating a special price for the event.
I wished that ther could have been more bikes to look at that day, even though it was fun to look at all the cars.
This next bike is one I sort of have my eye on. I just like it, and it is sort of a developing dream to own one someday. I was sort of hoping the dealer would have one on display there at the show. I asked and they said they didn't have one at the show, but did have a couple in stock at the dealership. I may stop by and get a closer look someday.
Honda NT700V
I wouldn't mind having a spare, low mile 2007 Bonneville to cover my next spill. The Honda Deauville/NT700 is definitely worth a second look.Far too practical to be put on display next to rolling couches at a bike show. Dealers are so convinced no one wants one they have to be found as they will never be advertised. It would have been a tough choice had it beeen imported before I bought the Bonneville.
ReplyDeleteConch,
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about the fact the so many bikes seem so unreasonably big. I guess if all you did was travel the highways, then it would be a different idea, but for me, basic commuting is well handled by Max. Very well handled. The Deauville is attractive to me for the dream of touring a little more. It's also supposed to be nimble enough to get around city streets adequately. It seems like a nice size to me with good gas mileage and someone told me you can't go too wrong with a Honda. It is still a bit pricey for me at present. Then again there is that Bonneville. Very nice bike and very practical.
Jimbo
Heather and I spent some time Saturday looking at new scooters/bikes. My Symba is a great bike for my daily commute--over a hundred miles per gallon of gas and it is capable of going much faster than the posted speeds on the streets I travel. That said, my son and his family live on the other side of the Missouri river. It is quite an adventure getting over the bridge on the Symba. More speed would make these trips safer. I suppose I could take the car......
ReplyDeleteBefore I began riding I was surprised at the number of people who owned more than one bike. I'm not surprised anymore. This seems the perfect solution to my problem. Or, it would be if I had the money to buy another bike and if I had room for it in my garage. Oh well.
The Honda looks like a great bike. It would have made for a different ride to Lincoln. And, as one SYM owner to another that dealer network and Honda history has a boat load of appeal.
~Keith
Keith,
ReplyDeleteThe Honda is just a dream for now. Max is superlative for what I bought him for and I really don't plan any changes for the present. But if I ever took up the desire to tour more on a motorcycle, the Honda seems like a nice fit. Occasional excursions out of town on Max still are very do-able.
Jim
I think I've mentioned this before. When I bought the Symba I'd seriously considered the HD-200. I think I would have appreciated the extra cc's from time to time, but Sunday I rode 138 miles and put a gallon of gas in the Symba. I do love that.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how our horizons shift as time and experience changes. And, sometimes I think the dreaming itself has a satisfaction of its own.
~K
Keith,
ReplyDeleteWhen I bought Max, the SYM HD 125 was on my list of possibilities. I was actually more interested in the 125 just because of the gas mileage. But am glad I got the 200 (actually about 175). It still gets great mileage (about 75mpg). Way better than our cars.
Jimbo
Jimbo/cpa3485:
ReplyDeleteonce you get the touring bug you will find a need for, perhaps, two machines. One for the city and one for the highway.
With the very high insurance rates up here I couldn't justify having two big bikes. so I thought that I would downsize one and just use the Wee for everything. Don't forget that I still have a Vino sitting in the garage.
Like yourself I dislike taking the freeway but sometimes you just have to shorten your time and make some distance, so your bike should be highway capable. As was on our trip to Oregon, the idea was to travel to the furthest point in the fastest way possible, then short incremental hops along the way back.
Go ahead and get the Honda NT700V. We sat on one last December but it was fairly pricey.
Some advance notice for you . . . epic trip next year so you will need a faster bike (HINT: NT700V). I have already been cleared for this ride. At least one week +, dependant upon Jack rIEPE's route across the USA heading for Eureka, CA . We will be famous. I think Jack has already made mention of this in one of his blog comments.
bob
Wet Coast Scootin
Bobskoot,
ReplyDeleteIn these economic times, it's hard to justify having 2 machines. The Honda would hopefully be good for commuting as well as a bit of highway riding.
Right now I am sure there is very little local market for a used HD200, so I might give to my son.
Nevertheless, the Honda is just sort of a dream right now. If money were no object, then I might do it, but money is an object. The other option is to try and find a slightly used 600-800 cc bike. Joining Jack in a trek partially across the country would be one for the memories. Maybe I can rent a bike, LOL.
You are right, Honda is price proud of their machines. I was going to see if the dealer might be having an end of year sale of some sort. Who knows, but I am not desperate, just very interested.
Jimbo
"..Honda is price proud of their machines." Great line and so true.
ReplyDelete~Keith
what, no sidecar rigs? :)
ReplyDeleteDom,
ReplyDeleteI didn't see one that day. I know there are a few around town. Maybe next year at the 2nd Annual event they will appear.
Jimbo
Thanks for the moto pics! I love that Indian. I understand about the "dream" bike. I have a list too. Some of my dreams are better kept as dreams for there is not enough time nor enough muney to fulfill them all.
ReplyDelete