Need 4 Speed And Warm Weather, Toronto Motorcycle Show

If you're living in middle or north America, you're feeling it. The need for speed, sun, snow & ice free pavement. Oh, it won't be long now!

As I suspected, many at this weekend's Toronto Motorcycle Show sympathize. It's a good way to squelch the blues and hang out with like-minded, manic motorcycle enthusiasts.

In the Toronto market there are four major motorcycle shows:

Last weekend's ‟Motorcycle Show” is a national, touring manufacturer show run by the consortium of motorcycle manufacturers.

The ‟Spring Motorcycle Show”  taking place every year in March, is a retail focused show run by Peter Derry. There's the "Motorcycle Supershow" in early January, run by Canadian motorcycle man Bar Hodgsonand the "National Motorcycle and Tattoo Show" run by husband and wife team at Neveau Productions Inc.

That's a lot of shows. Apart from a bit of politics between shows, everyone agrees, Toronto is a growth market - so bring it on.

This weekend's Motorcycle Show in the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place is a national touring show coming off Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec City and Moncton. Toronto was the second last stop. Riding sweep is the upcoming Salon Moto de Montréal at the Palais des congres de Montréal

If you've been disappointed with past manufacturer shows, you're not alone. But this year with the new location, great talent and demos, kid riding and even a screening of Why We Ride, we give it the thumbs up.

BMW is Nice & Naked

Let's get started with BMW's naked phase and the rearranged Boxer come café racer R Nine T. If you want one, get your money down at BMW as it's in high demand and not many machines are destined for the great white north.

Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP

Although Honda wasn't serving up café expresso like last year, Canada's biggest motorcycle manufacturer had it all to show. Especially sweet to see the exotic CBR1000R Fireblade SP.This track-focused version of Honda's super-sports four is all new for 2014. The limited edition machine is one of 150 available world-wide; 5 are destined for Ontario. This particular machine may be the first off the line.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki showed a number of refreshed bikes, including the 2014 Z1000 with ABS. The 2014 single-cylinder 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 250 SL/RR Mono was revealed earlier for the Asian market, but no sign of her here. Although no big roar from Kawi this year, the factory team is seeing checkered flags in the World Superbike series so let's hope new models trickle down to lowly riders next year.

In the meantime, I'd like to try the 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Special Edition; it just might satisfy the need for speed. The MSRP is under $6,000 CAN, but research your insurance before you buy, because it will cut deep.

Harley Davidson

The big news for Harley is the 500cc and 750cc models released at EICMA in November 2013 for the European market. Expect the "Street" motorcycles to hit North America in 2015. This 750cc was available for a look-see but cornered off. Nobody puts baby in the corner!

For more on Harley's new 500cc and 750cc motorcycles, check out our EICMA post below.

Harley-Davidson also showed all the Project Rushmore bikes released late last year with some serious upgrades for all the touring models. If you missed it, here's Alex's Street Glide review and ride through the Catskills.

Triumph

Triumph is growing year over year. Of the expected 40,000 motorcycles sold in Canada, Triumph will, unofficially, represent 10 - 15%. To support the strategy, Triumph has a new showroom agreement with dealers so expect to see a minimum representation of models in stores this spring.

Triumph Castrol Rocket Streamliner

Making one of only two North American appearances is Triumph's Castrol Rocket, an eight-metre long, 1000-horsepower streamliner powered by two heavily modified methanol-fuelled Rocket III engines. The Triumph team is the first factory-backed motorcycle land speed outfit in decades. Piloted by 29 year old road-racer Jason DiSalvo, Triumph will attempt to resurrect it's glory by challenging the 640-km/h speed record this August at the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Yamaha How-To Demos

Yamaha's ‟How To” Demos were run by Clinton Smout on the Yamaha Bolt. Smout is a critically acclaimed Yamaha and BMW sponsored off-road instructor in Horseshoe Valley. The off-road guru offered great tips and demo'ed riding techniques. Smout effortlessly showed what you should do when you lock your brakes (keep braking!). He makes it look so easy - maybe I could do it? I also benefited from a lesson in how to pick up the Bolt in high heels. Not so easy.

Yamaha Bolt FZ-09 Custom

Both the Yamaha Bolt and the FZ-09 are a big success story for the brand. Yamaha brought the two together to make an impression with this modern café RD400 inspired yellow baby. It's a mix between a Bolt and an FZ-09. Beautiful.

The Cult of Moto Guzzi

It was a nice surprise to see Piaggio showing more than Vespas this year. When we arrived, the cult of Moto Guzzi had a meetup at the stand. Guzzi plans for 50% growth in Canada this year and the California 1400 Custom voted cruiser of the year by Cycle World helps.

Moreover, Moto Guzzi got it right with the V7 Stone and Racer. These bikes are made for the vintage enthusiast, for whom, spoke wheels happen to be a deal breaker. Coming in at under $10,000 the café racers are priced for those who want the vintage look but don't want to spend their ride time in the garage. The 750cc mounted v-twin, colour scheme, spoke alloy wheels seem to set off the chrome in an I-need-to-have-it way.

Norton Motorcycles

One stand I regret missing is Norton Motorcycles. After 20 years, the bespoke Commando is back in production. The all-new 961 was announced in 2010 and it wasn't until last July that the first North American delivery reached it's first owner. I look forward to swinging a leg over the Norton Commando at the Spring Supershow March 15 - 16, 2014.

Next Stop, Montréal

If you missed the Toronto show, you can catch all this at the upcoming Salon Moto de Montréal at the Palais des congres de Montréal, February 28th to March 2nd, 2014. Be sure to check out the launch of the SORA by LITO Green Motion Inc., the first 100% electric and 100% Quebec made motorcycle.

 @EatSleepRIDE