Triumphrat

boozefighter · 02-12-2007

Well folks, I attended the Cycle World Show in Chicago yesterday and with out any further adieu-------It sucked, big time!! We left Jack's Place at about 9 yesterday morning after socializing over a few Bloody Mary's and began our trek up to Rosemont. After getting into the show, I made a beeline straight to the HD display, in order to check out the new Nightster. After all the hoopla and fanfare, I had high expectations, and had made initial plans for a purchase of this bike. Man what a disappointment! They had two on display, one black, one silver and black. It basically reminded me of a standard Sportster, with some chopped parts cobbled on, and looked very cheaply finished. Standing close to 5'11', the 25 inch seat height, is low to the ground but I found my knees jacked up to my waist with feet on the controls. The peanut tank is reminiscent of a 1971 Sportster and the paint job could just as easily been applied in my garage. The Sportster custom, low, and roadster are much nicer bikes for those interested in a new Sportster. I'll pass on this hybrid. The new Ducati's are fantastic, and the Sport 1000 and GT1000 are magnificent! Most of the Japanese manufacturers had the standard, cookie cutter, cruisers sitting around, and it seems they all are competing with each other for the wildest, most garish, paint schemes. Nothing of interest there. Ural had a nice display and attracted a lot of attention, as did Royal Enfield. Moto Guzzi had a few nice pieces sitting around, and I recommended that they stick to the sportbike niche, as the cruisers are butt ugly, being a mutual design of Sonny Barger and Leonardo DaVinci. Of course Triumph was not there, and it's to bad, because the uniqueness of the brand, along with the fine designs, would have knocked many of the major brands flat on their ass in the eyes of the viewing public. No need to start a debate, I already know of the reasoning for Triumph's decision, and am not interested in a chest hair pulling contest! After meandering to the rear of the hall, it was no great shakes, with a few boring customs here and there, and the usual collection of gypsies, cheap leather vendors, and hucksters selling miracle motorcycling performance products. After chugging down a couple of $4.50 small beers, we decided to blow this Popsicle stand and head back to the friendly confines of Jack's Place, stopping along the way in Summit at the original El Famous Burritos for football sized burritos. CycleWorld can take this show and shove it!! Joe :-D

Ridge · 02-12-2007

Awww. I was hoping that you were gonna report that some Angles showed up and you and some Pistons had to fight your way outta there.

boozefighter · 02-12-2007

Quote:

On 2007-02-12 13:21, Ridge wrote:
Awww. I was hoping that you were gonna report that some Angles showed up and you and some Pistons had to fight your way outta there.

Ridge, Believe it or not, I spied very few folks at the show who, by their appearance could be described as bikers in the traditional sense. Aside from a few wannabee, jackasses running around in attire straight out of the MGM wardrobe department circa 1966, and probably had never ridden a motorcycle, most of the viewing public looked like they would have been more at home at Disneyland. :-D

tba-golfer · 02-12-2007

Thanks for the report...I can now cross the Nightster off my list.

You must have really been thirsty to drink a convention center beer- I swear the food and bev they sell at extortionate prices at those places makes me look back to grade school cafeteria lunches with fond memories... ah, Tater tot hotdish!
:razz:

boozefighter · 02-12-2007

Scott, We had no choice. It was a long walk back to the parking garage and the 12 pack of Miller Light in the cooler at the back of the Explorer. Joe

doodledog · 02-12-2007

Thanks for an honest and down to earth report Joe, just as I would expect, I only go to the shows now for the cheap gear, the NEC show in the UK charge a small fortune to see the bikes and even more for the food and drink, we take a backpack of food and drinkand sit against the wall watching the punters walk bye, and of course eyeing up the semi nekked ladies draped over the bikes.

boozefighter · 02-12-2007

Doodledog, I'll tell you what's a real laugh. You go to the Harley section and you see these clowns from the local HOG Chapters standing around gloating next to the kind of HD they own. When someone walks up to the bike to look at it, they will approach and inform them that they own one just like it. Most folks just nod and walk away, but I usually say, in a loud voice, "Man! You are one lucky son-of-a-*****! I sure wish I could get one! When did you hit the lottery! How about lending me 15 grand? Can I get an attendant over here to help me!!" At which time they usually slink away and I can examine the bike in peace. Joe :-D

doodledog · 02-12-2007

:roflmoa2: :roflmoa2: :upthumb:

meinschaft · 02-12-2007

Let me make sure I have this straight. You say, "We had no choice. It was a long walk back to the parking garage and the 12 pack of Miller Light in the cooler at the back of the Explorer."

You're heading back to a box of Miller Light and you're complaining about the beer at the Cycle Show? They had Bud and Bud Light at the Detroit Show, both squeezed from cat litter, like all light beers. I forced myself to drink a couple. Man, that's some nasty stuff, although they taste better when you drink a few......

boozefighter · 02-12-2007

Well, for one thing, the Miller Light was a lot cheaper! And for another, it's the official beer of the Chicago White Sox! So now I'm sure that you can understand my line of reasoning! Joe :-D