The Toronto Motorcycle Springshow Experience: I'm Pumped to Ride!

Only a few hard core motorcycle enthusiasts rode in to the 25th Annual Toronto Motorcycle Spring Show this past weekend. The harsh weather and particularly long winter did not deter the crowds nor squelch the palpable "riders itch"!

With Honda Canada, Yamaha and Kawasaki corporate displaying their 2013 models it made a particularly good show even better. Suzuki, Triumph and Victory were also prepresented by local dealers.

In addition to the usual bright-eyed blondes - and brunettes, the show featured International and Canadian Moto GP legend Michelle Duff and continued to celebrate the birthday of Canadian motorcycle hall of famer Bar Hodgson.

A stampede when doors opened

The word "stampede" came up several times when I asked vendors how they'd describe the show's attendance. There's always a different feel to this show, the riders are restless and full of energy and anticipation. We've already switched the clocks forward, die-hard riders have been out, we have our gear and all we can do is wait on the weather. I like to get to the show in the late afternoon. The vendors have come down from their crowd-induced high, taken their bathroom breaks and are ready for unhurried conversation. The smaller crowds also make for better pictures and the dealers can give you better answers to your questions.

Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Honda

Just days before the show Honda Canada announced it was going to be in attendance and it was quickly followed by Kawasaki and Yamaha.

This is the first time Honda has been at the bike show which I'm sure somehow led to them having a prime spot in Hall 3 and an impressive display. Honda has 6 new bikes this year but the showcase was the F6B. Though it looks like a blacked out bagger style Gold Wing in all black it shines and was a big hit. I even noticed some gents in green shirts begrudgingly paying it compliments. Of course the innovative NCX700 and classically styled CB1100 made strong attempts to steal the attention of spectators as well.

Kawasaki AKA, the big green is always fun. Though they don't stir me the same way some other brands do, their supersaturation of the small displacement bike market is impressive! The replacement for the 250, the Ninja 300, is a great looking bike and perfect for new riders shopping for their first bike.

Yamaha's display was slightly disappointing when compared to the size of the other dealers. This was particularly difficult for me since I ride a Yamaha. Seems like the brand was maintaining the "less is more" slogan associated with their new model, the Bolt. However, what pains I had were instantly forgotten when I saw the Bolt and spent some time in the saddle rolling it back and forth, pretending to ride it - like a child would do.

Custom bikes

Custom bikes are often the show stealers. Here's a few.

Bar Hadgsen, the man who started it all turns 75

I spoke to Bar Hodgsen, an owner of over 300 motorcycles, the man who introduced the first chopper to the city of Toronto in 1958 and the founder of the North American International Supershow. The experience an achievement Bar's gleaned from a passion so many share make him an incredible man. To say he's done a lot for Canadian Motorcycling is an understatement. I spoke with Bar at the 'Bikes of the Century' exhibit about Canadian Motorcycle history, Michelle Duff, his Supershows, the plans for his 75th birthday and the questions he hates to answer. Even though I was standing next to the rare Elgi-Vincent and the Kawasaki 'ZX-15' that achieved over 203 MPH at Maxton, I was captivated and humbled by the man that started it all. I had to ask him why; Hodgsen commented,

"There's a service you have to deliver […] there was lack luster in manufacturers' shows".

He went on to comment that all the shows have their place. The manufactures show is necessary but the rider needed the Supershow. The Supershow was where you learned about groups, bought your gear for the best price, was introduced to the culture and got intimate knowledge of your bike from other riders that would become friends.

I've only been riding a short while but my passion for motorcycles has had time to age. I had partly read a book by Roland Brown on motorcycle history. My conversations with Bar reminded me of how important it is to know where things started to understand where they should go. After speaking with Bar I decided to get acquainted with the past and also test the knowledge of the Transportbooks.com powersport book vendor. Ten minutes later I had authors to look up and had forked over the cash for the new edition of my mystery book.

Since I have a bike now my taste in the culture has shifted from the machines to the people and history behind them. Books are great, but the friends you make and knowledge you gain at the Supershows can't be found in any books. That's what Bar Hodgsen wanted the show to be about when he started the first one 37 years ago - and for me at least, he has succeeded.