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The Cycle World International Motorcycle Show at the Long Beach Convention Center seemed bigger and better than in recent years. Several attendees made this observation. I, for one, could not be happier.

This year's show opened up the hockey rink adjacent to the convention center for a very cool custom bike show, with quite a few examples of Roland Sands' and Jesse Rooke's handiwork. Rooke displayed a few examples of his Schwinn Stingray-inspired customs. It's refreshing to see someone come up with all-new designs, rather than the done-to-death choppers seen so often on TV.

Oddly there was a Fischer sportbike in the lobby of the show, just parked there with no information available. The bike appeared unfinished, with no provisions for a passenger seat, tail light, or license plate. I think this little display did more to turn off potential buyers than turn them on.
Another oddity was the Hyosung cruiser trike. This is the answer to a question nobody asked.
There was also a very strange Ferrari Dino V-6 powered monstrosity on display. This is what I would refer to as a "bad idea, well executed". The aluminum work was meticulously done, obviously it took the builder a long time. But the owner clearly has more money than taste. Vive le difference, eh?



This year's show featured new bikes from just about all the manufacturers, including Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Bimota (yes, Bimota!) Suzuki, Aprilia, KTM, etc. Conspicuously absent once again was Triumph, tho the good folks from Southern California Triumph in Brea waved the Brit bike flag with a great display.

All in all, it was a great show.