2008 Los Angeles International Motorcycle Show

2008 Los Angeles International Motorcycle Show
First looks at the latest production and custom bikes!
By Pete Brissette and Kevin Duke, Dec. 08, 2008, Photography by Kevin Duke and Alfonse Palaima, Video by Alfonse Palaima
 

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The Cycle World International Motorcycle Show made its annual stop in Long Beach, CA, on Friday, December 5, 2008
Starting off the media-only portion on the first day of the show was the Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) announcement of some preliminary data from the 2008 MIC Owner Survey. The biggest news from this on-going survey is that more people are using two-wheels for practical reasons and not just as recreation, and the presence of women in motorcycling continues to grow. And scooters are the hottest two-wheel segment, up 50.6% over the first nine months of 2008.
Though final tabulations from the survey, loosely referred to as a “census of motorcycling,” won’t be available until spring 2009, the MIC is reasonably confident in the running data collected. According to the MIC, during the first three quarters of ’08 the survey reflected a 29% increase in the percentage of female owners, compared to 2003, the last time a similar survey was conducted. In 2003 women owners comprised 9.6% of the market; the majority of 2008 is showing that percentage now at 12.4%.
Other interesting numbers coming in from the report show that the average age of bike owners may be at a plateau. In 1990, owner average age was 32, and in ’98 it rose to 38, increasing again in 2003 to 41. Interestingly, in the last five years the average age has only increased to 42.
The survey also reports on another average age, that of motorcycles. The average age of a bike owned by a rider is down to 10.8 years, suggesting an increased tendency by riders to purchase new machines. The average age of an owned bike in 1998 was 13.2 years.
It wasn’t all dry numbers in Long Beach. A few new models, as well as some jazzed-up existing bikes and scooters, were unveiled for the first time in the US to the general public. Here are some highlights from the show:
2009 Vectrix Vx-1
Electric scooter maker Vectrix presented the company’s 2009 Vx-1. This electric scoot, the top of three Vx models coming soon, has a claimed range of between 30-55 miles on a single charge, a top speed of 62 mph, three different height windscreens and weighs in at a claimed 515 pounds. It also seats two, can be charged from 0 to 80% in 2.5 hrs (add one hour for full charge), and employs a regenerative charge system that can add up to 12-18% charge in certain situations. The Vx-1 is targeted at the 650cc market and is expected to retail for $10,495, but if you live in California, the California Air Resource Board is offering a $1,500 rebate.
We can see some advantages to a scooter like this, but in a sprawling city like Los Angeles, a range of less than 60 miles isn’t exceptional, and having to wait almost three hours to go again is a bit of a killjoy at the pace of life in the Big City. Still, this is a step in the right direction, especially when gasoline gets back up to $4 a gallon. Look for the Vx-1 in dealers by January 2009.
Jeff Palhegyi Modified VMax
Star Motorcycles presented a Jeff Palhegyi VMax, a very subtle but tricked tweak on the impressive 2009 VMax. Additionally, Star presented Baxter Eaves, a commercial airline pilot, lifelong rider and general VMax lover from the early days, with a special badge designating him clearly as owner number 0001. As the very first purchaser of VMax numero uno, Eaves also received a special wrist watch and a $1,000 certificate toward accessorizing his VMax.
Kymco Yager 200i
Kymco unveiled a new 176cc liquid-cooled scooter with EFI called the Yager 200i. The CVT automatic scooter is set to retail for $3,149. The company also presented a brand new air-cooled four-valve 150cc parallel-Twin motorcycle. Yes, that’s right, a sporty looking, fully-faired bike. Called the Quannon, it features 17-inch wheels, a single disc brake in the front and rear, five-speed tranny, 31-inch seat height and is set to sell for $3,199. We doubt the Kawasaki Ninja 250 will be trembling with fear at this budget-mined Kymco, but we’ll also bet getting your hands on the Kymco will be a helluva lot easier than trying hunt down the wildly popular Ninja.

The “Freek Triple” is a Triumph 675 customized by Zero Gravity Racing.
Zero Gravity Racing Triumph Daytona 675
To celebrate 20 years in business, Zero Gravity Racing built a customized half-naked Triumph Daytona 675. Dubbed the Freek Triple, the Daytona features numerous high-end components from various aftermarket product companies like Woodcraft, Ohlins, Galfer, LeoVince, Dynojet Power Commander, and of course, Zero Gravity.
Harley-Davidson XR1200
Harley-Davidson unveiled for the first time to the U.S. public the lusted after XR1200. Finally! (Look for a ride report on this new-for-the-U.S. Harley model in the coming days from Motorcycle.com)

Here’s our first close look at BMW’s upcoming S1000RR, seen here in its racebike prototype form that will enter World Superbike competition in 2009. A production version is slated to hit dealers late in ’09.
BMW K1300S, K1300GT and S1000RR
Also a first-look in the U.S. was BMW’s K1300S and K1300GT, and the company’s World Superbike effort in the form on the inline-Four S1000RR. Though looking very much like its Japanese competition in this race iteration, the production RR will look different, and some unusual technology is promised in its cylinder head (the rumor is desmodromic-style valve actuation).
Tricked-out Suzuki Burgman 400 scooters
Suzuki showed a couple of tricked-out Burgman 400 scooters. Todd’s Cycle of Huntington Beach, Calif., was the guilty party that crafted one of the scooters in glam disco fashion, replete with sparkly powder-blue and white paint with matching white seat. Another Burgman was made out to look like a long and low GSX-R by an in-house design team. We first spotted this sportiest of sport scooters at Suzuki’s 2008 dealer show.

2009 Triumph Daytona 675 First Ride
Lighter, Faster, Better
By Tor Sagen, Dec. 01, 2008, Photography by Jason Critchell and Paul Barshon



After giving you a preview of what to expect of the updated 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 back in July, we finally had the chance to get some seat time, so I can share my initial impressions. I have had two great days in the saddle of the ’09 Daytona on Circuito de Cartagena. The early part of the first day was rained out, but once I finally got on the bike it felt like I had been riding it all day. It is just that easy to go fast on the Daytona 675.

The 675 is still as narrow and nimble as it always was, but the ’09 gets the first update since the launch back in 2006. The front end has been redesigned slightly to match the original rendition of the designers – giving an even sharper look than before.

In the first update since the 2006 launch, Triumph's designers gave the Daytona 675 a sharper-looking front end.

In the first update since the 2006 launch, Triumph's designers gave the Daytona 675 a sharper-looking front end.

In addition to shedding weight, the 675 allegdly gets an increase in horsepower from 125 to 128 bhp as well as a small increase in torque. This three horsepower gain boosts performance in the 675’s already class leading midrange as well as the top end as the redline has been raised from 13,500 to 13,900rpm.

While it may not be immediately noticeable on the street, it could really be felt on the circuit as I lapped Cartagena. I continued my last laps on a D675 with the Arrow muffler attached. When accelerating above 10,000 rpm there really is a much better kick than before. While the Daytona 675 has always been a very light supersport, the 2009 tips the scales at a claimed 357 lbs after shedding weight from the exhaust and wheels.

Tor could feel the difference in horsepower above the 10,000 rpm mark.

Tor could feel the difference in horsepower above the 10,000 rpm mark.
Tor's giving the 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 the thumbs up. Check back later for the full review.

Tor's giving the 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 the thumbs up. Check back later for the full review.

Braking performance has been enhanced by Nissin’s latest radial-mount monobloc calipers that provide more stopping power and rider feedback. The fully-adjustable 41mm upside down forks and rear monoshock unit both benefit from a high and low speed damping control. New wheels give significant savings in unsprung weight and help the bike change direction more easily. The latest Pirelli SuperCorsa SP tires have been specified for their outstanding levels of both grip and rider feedback.

Other relevant updates include the restyled cockpit, screen and headlights. Color options include Jet Black and Tornado Red. I cannot decide which one I like more, so I think I’d like both. After thoroughly checking out the 675 on the track then taking a short road ride, my initial opinion is that the D675 is among the best road alternative of the bunch in this class. Check out the full article coming soon.

Related Reading
2008 Triumph Street Triple 675 Review
2007 Triumph Daytona 675 Review
Triumph Daytona 900