Montreal Motorcycle Show 2014

So I had the opportunity to take a drive out to Montreal from Ottawa to attend the Montreal Motorcycle Show.  Just a month ago I attended the Ottawa International Motorcycle Show and I was curious to see the difference between the two cities.

Now I must say that the Montreal Show is considerably larger in size, and I would guess that their show is probably twice if not even larger in size then the show here in Ottawa.  But it is Montreal and being that it is a bigger city, I guess that comes with big city prices.  The show happens right downtown Montreal and the entry fee to the show was only $15, so not to bad.  But having to throw another $20 in due to parking really pumped up the price for all those that attended.  I guess though that would be very similar if the Ottawa show had been held at a downtown location.  But lucky for us parking was included with every ticket.

The biggest plus of the Montreal Show was the amount of actual vendors and brands that were there.  Sure you had the likes of Harley Davidson, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha and Triumph (which were all at the Ottawa Show) but you got to see some other brands of bikes that I for one had never gotten the opportunity to sit on before.  Brands like Indian, Ducati, and Royal Enfield. Royal Enfield in particular was a brand of bike that I had always been somewhat curious about, and they had their whole line up (total of 4 bikes) there.  And just so you know, I would definitely buy one of their bikes as a second bike, but couldn’t be without my cruiser!

They also have a “buying” area where all the vendors are selling motorcycle gear including both clothing and motorcycle accessories.  This was a fairly crowded area and I personally would have liked to see this get a bigger chunk of the area as it was very difficult to look at things without constantly getting bumped into.  I did though end up buying some things, but as always please look around before buying even when at a show like this.  Just like many I think that these vendors will be giving better then usual prices, and some are, but some are not.  What I bought was definitely cheaper, but I was about to buy some waterproof glove and boot covers, as the vendor stated that there were about 50% off.  I took out my handy iPhone and checked one of the local stores that I usually buy from and their prices were either the same or slightly lower, so I ended up buying nothing from that vendor.

Like most though we go to these shows for the bikes and even though there are many brands and many types of bikes my focus was on the cruisers, and more specifically the cruisers that are somewhat between the 900cc and 1500cc sizes, as this is probably what ill end up buying in the next coming year or so.

While at the Ottawa show I was very taken by that Vulcan 900 and VStar 950 and I still am, but I really wanted to put them up against the bigger bikes at this show.  Seeing them beside the larger 1300+cc bikes I think that ill probably go to a bigger bike then a 900cc size.  But again I won’t know for certain until I actually get a chance to take one out at some point for a ride.

One of the first bikes that I saw when I entered the show was the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700.  I really seem to be drawn to the Vulcans and this years bike was no different.  Even though this bikes CC’s were higher then I want to go (i won’t be buying new) I just love the style and cargo size that the Nomad has.  The 2014 really seems to be a sleeker version of the older Nomads.  From what I saw the new Nomad is very nice.

I spent some time at the Harley Davidson booth, but as always I was there more to just look at all the eye candy then seriously look at the bikes.  Don’t get me wrong.  I would love a loaded Harley Davidson, but I’ll be able to get a very similarly sized bike by Kawasaki, Yamaha, or Honda for a fraction of the price of a Harley.  One day, just not any time soon, unless of course I can find some kind of crazy deal.  Who knows.

I could spend the next while talking about each brand of bike and how much I liked or disliked their booth, but thats just a personal opinion.  Go out and attend your own local Motorcycle show.  They’re a great and fun way to spend the day.  Go with a few friends.

Spring is coming!!

On a side note, I took some video and hope to put something together within the next day or two.  Look for it.