The Progressive International Motorcycle Show started its 12 city tour in San Mateo, CA this past weekend Nov 18-20 and Inline Performance Magazine was there to soak up the excitement and bring it back to you. New model bikes, contests, prizes, fun food and informational seminars and of
course, demo rides entertained guests for hours.

Fun filled information and excitement greeted fans and convention goers at the information stage The Learning Curve providing a vital opportunity to receive feedback and ask question for riding issues, from choosing tires to staying in hotels or even trackside camping.

Also in the main exhibit hall and the Dream Pavilion, new and exciting motorcycle models from Aprilia, Beta, BRP, Darwin, Ducati, Erik Buell Racing, Gas Gas, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Norton, Star, Suzuki, and Triumph. A Custom built motorcycle competition was also being held, the winner chosen after all shows are completed, where voter were also entered in a contest to receive a custom motorcycle, Honda Fury.

Other contests were held throughout the show grounds, providing opportunities to win the same day. From fun games catching flying colored balls, to spinning prize wheels, and even just filling out a contest slip, the games go on, and there is bound to be a winner.

Demonstration rides are always a huge draw for the Progressive International Motorcycle Show, and San Mateo brought out the best. Despite raining during the second day, the first day was sunny and packed with event goers. Kawasaki, Yamaha, Star, Harley-Davidson, and even Can-Am were booked to capacity. Be sure to check back soon for our videos featuring the test rides we were riding.

Riding a motorcycle is fun, but so is designing, and that ability was available by Kawasaki’s Design-A-Bike experience using technology from Lumacoustics. Choosing from a Vulcan 1700 Vaquero, KX 450F, and the Ninja 1000, event attendees could paint and embellish stencils on the motorcycle using the digital on-screen tabs. Controlling the action with an interface device shaped like a mini-spray can, it is easy to choose exciting color schemes, and apply any of ten graphics. Afterwards, the designs could be posted to Facebook and printed out on a glossy poster. The screens are hard to see when controlling the action, (digital paint fumes, perhaps?) but came in crisp and clear from the viewing area, which includes some of the most comfortable couches in the entire show.

After being sedated in plush seating there were still plenty of loud event displays outside to wake us back up. The stunt show by the Smage Bros featured one wheeled motorcycles, ramps, jumps, and a dumpster. Aerial acrobatics, stoppies, and neat balancing tricks. After every show, the Smage Brothers answered questions, posed for pictures, and signed autographs.

Last but not least, the Nor-Cal Championship series in Supermoto USA finished 14 race classes, and riders competed for a $3,500 purse. Top finishers were Ryan Kearns, Unlimited; Gary Parker, Open C – Novice; Jake Fletcher, Open Beginner; Mike Jones, Open B-Intermediate; Walker Marshall, Open Am; Nicole Garcia, Ladies Only; Andrew Patterson, Beginner Mini; Chris Smith, Adult Mini; Colton Welch, 450; Ryan Mcallister, 400; Ryan Kearns, 250; Joshua Serne, 150/85 Youth; Brett Voorhees, 125/65; Bucky Gerolamy, +35 Masters; Mark Anolik, +45; Andrew Dickson, +30.

Check out the rest of our photos on our Facebook page here.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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Now that Long Beach, California is hosting the 2010 Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, and I have gotten over the deadly flu virus that I picked up last week, I can tell you about all of the amazing things you would have seen if you had gone to the show.

At least, I would if I could still remember what I saw. One hundred and three degree fever lasting a week tend to erase memories. However, there is no reason to fret or fear. I looked through the swag in my Progressive Insurance bag and by using a few hypnotically retrieved memories, and the product brochures, I was able to reconstruct 15 delightful minutes of my past.

Witnessing the Mission One Superbike, an electric motorcycle, first-hand was amazing. As it was propped up on a rear-stand, a simple twist of the throttle would spin the wheel in an impressively quiet manner. The electric whir of the battery driven motor, which gets 150 miles per two-hour charge, was shocking at first, then slightly comforting, before becoming electrifyingly worrisome knowing that you can’t yet recharge it at a gas station and the battery is non-replaceable.

If you had been there and brought a helmet, riding gear, and a motorcycle license, you would have had the chance to stand in line to sign up for a motorcycle demo ride. You can read about Andrew’s exciting time on a Kawasaki demo ride here. If you did not yet have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, there was no need to cry because you would still have been able to demo ride the first three-wheeled roadster designed for touring, the 2010 BRP Cam-Am Spyder RT.

Visually stunning collections of motorcycle were displayed in the History of Motorcycle hall. The showcase featured classic and vintage motorcycle, from an array of neatly positioned Norton motorcycle, to wide variety of dirt bikes, cruisers, and café racers. It is always frustrating not being allowed to freely sit on the motorcycles, or randomly mash the buttons and manipulate the controls as is possible on the newer motorcycles displayed throughout the rest of the show, but it is an understandable restriction given the rareness of these motorcycles and the difficulty in replacing broken parts.

Just outside the vintage motorcycle hall was the performance area of the Ducati Freestyle Team. Hollywood stuntman Ernie Vigil and 2008 XDL Freestyle National Champion Nick Brocha dazzled the crowd on their new Ducati Monster motorcycles. Featuring classic motorcycle stunts like synchronized circle wheelies, headstands while riding, and burnouts, this show was action-packed.

Sadly, the rest of my time spent wandering the exhibit halls and gawking at the shiny new motorcycles from Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Star, Yamaha, and the rest is a dizzying blur of fogginess and indiscriminateness. There is always next year, or a road-trip to Seattle next weekend.

Be sure to reserve your copy of our 52 page full-color print edition coming out soon. For more updates on motorcycle news check back here at Inline Performance Magazine.

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What’s up guys? The American Suzuki Motor Corporation in cooperation with Lifted Research Group and Nick Anglada Originals are excited to announce the 2009 L-R-G Suzuki Gladius at the Chicago stop of the International Motorcycle Show Tour.

This is the second installment of an amazing collaboration between American Suzuki, L-R-G and Nick Anglada to build a truly unique 2009 Suzuki Gladius featuring the unmistakable design style of Lifted Research Group and the amazing craftsmanship of Nick Anglada.

Nick Anglada Originals have taken an incredible L-R-G design concept and turned the new Suzuki Gladius into an aggressive and stylish Hypermoto-inspired machine, built to tackle everything from unrelenting urban streets to a sporty canyon ride.

The 2009 L-R-G Suzuki Gladius built by Nick Anglada Originals features:
* Excel Supermoto wheels 17×3.5 front 17×5 rear
* RM-Z450 front end
* C & S customs swingarm
* RG3 RM-Z450 Triple Clamp assembly with modified stem
* Renthal Fat Bars
* Leo Vince High Mount SV650 exhaust
* Beringer Supermoto brake set up (six piston caliper with cast iron rotor)
* Beringer clutch lever and mount
* Galfer brake lines
* Vortex fully adjustable rearsets
* Vortex billet gas cap
* Custom seat by KSK Kustom Seats Kreations
* 2008 Suzuki Gsxr-1000 tail light
* Custom fabricated tail section
* Paint and body work done by Jason Gray Customs.

The 2009 L-R-G Gladius is the first customized Suzuki Gladius to be unveiled and follows in the footsteps of the amazing L-R-G Hayabusa that debuted in 2008.

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Look’s like Suzuki is trying to hold onto the 650cc spot with their own new SFV650 Gladius. Check out the one I saw at the show.

One interesting fact about the Gladius’s engine I want to share with you guys is that an automatic Idle Speed Control (ISC) system is integrated into each throttle body, and produces stable idle while improving cold starting and reducing emissions immediately after start up.

Each 39mm throttle body carries a 10-hole fuel injector. The extra-fine atomization injectors produce an average spray particle diameter that is smaller for improved combustion efficiency
Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM) liner reduces friction and improves heat transfer, durability and ring seal.

The SFV650 is powered by a sporty fuel injected, DOHC 90 degree V-twin engine based on the proven SV650 powerplant famous for its long term reliability, broad power and quiet rumble. It has a 645cc displacement with a bore and stroke of 81.0mm x 62.6mm and a compression ratio of 11.5:1.

Read more about it on Suzuki’s site. Till next time guys, this is Goody, signing off.

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What’s going on guys? Looks like Yamaha is giving Kawasaki’s 650r a run for its money! Check out the 2009 all new Yamaha FZ6R!

Yamaha made this bike so that a rider in the market for an entry level or commuter 600cc bike doesn’t have to compromise performance or style to get value. It’s a great combination of performance, handling, and exciting sport bike style, but also with a low seat height that’s both adjustable to fit a wider variety of riders and also narrower where it counts to make it even easier to put both feet on the ground.

It is powered by a 600cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke in-line 4-cylinder engine that is ready to respond with smooth, linear performance when the rider twists the throttle. Maximum output is achieved at a spirited 10,000 rpm and maximum torque is obtained at 9000 rpm. Bottom line? Its outstanding “torquey” low to mid rpm engine performance is just right for someone who enjoys commuting to work or school or riding the canyons on the weekends.

This bike also boasts hydraulic discs in the front and rear. The 298mm diameter front discs are lightweight for reduced unsprung weight, while the single rear disc is 245mm, and the brakes feature semi-metallic pads. The brakes have been designed to offer great feel and superb braking ability.

Can’t wait to test one out!

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