Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour

[Admin]

The adage "Build it and they will come" still works despite dark clouds over the stock market or real storm clouds menacing the Pomona Fair Grounds, aka L.A. Fairplex. Apparently no one showing up for the Easyriders V-Twin Bike Tour 2008 kick-off event had read the headline in The Milwaukee Sentinel that read "Harley-Davidson Stock Takes a Beating." Or maybe they didn’t even care. People will always need good beer, music and motorcycles, a prevailing wind that blows strong and steady in the world of custom bikes. Or does it?

Since I was the Editor of Hot Bike magazine eons ago and later one of the Eds at Easyriders, I’ve heard the debate about the "bubble bursting," the wags wagging about how the Great Surge (or Splurge) of bike building and bike sales had to come to an thumping, roadrash of an end. For years the bubble grew and showed no signs of collapse. Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes paled in strength so it seemed. The motorcycle industry and with it custom bikes was part of our living/breathing/replicating lifestyle. It would not go the way of the dinosaur, unless we did.

But back to the report from The Motor Co.’s own hometown newspaper. "Shares fell $9.84 to $48.93, a 16.7% drop. That was the company's worst fall on Wall Street in 14 years. Several investment firms downgraded the stock. The company lost almost $3 billion in market value."

Grim news? The handwriting on the garage wall leaving a doomsday forecast? For those with short- or long-term memory loss, the Motor Co. has survived over 100 years of market downturns, aka Depressions, and depressing management at times. Several years ago they got their act together and made history of history.

More: Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour on Motorcycle.com

[1bdBagr]

It was the weakest turnout i'd ever seen at an Easyriders event. Plenty of bikes that had NO business being in ANY show....other than to fill space. Plus side...easy navigating thru show...no worries of spillin' your beer rubbing shoulders with anybody. I was impressed by maybe 5-6 bikes in entire show.
I had heard rumors that they (the promoters) were just beggin' to get bikes in the show.

Also a weak turnout for bikes at the Grand National Roadster Show also in Pomona. Not quite the display as in years past as well.
Tim

[hogg831]

...the Easyriders V-Twin Bike show in Charlotte sucked big time!! They had a car show that a few bikes were strategically placed in and about.

[nc-renegade]

Originally Posted by hogg831

They had a car show that a few bikes were strategically placed in and about.

Yes and they were more interesting than the bikes! Very poor for sure.

[Bubba Neil]

not mention $16 to get in and $8 for bike parking, rip off

[jdbankey]

Ditto on the "event sucked"

Why would there be cars at a motorcycle event?

This was my first and last easyrider show

[dirtydan]

Originally Posted by Admin

The adage "Build it and they will come" still works despite dark clouds over the stock market or real storm clouds menacing the Pomona Fair Grounds, aka L.A. Fairplex. Apparently no one showing up for the Easyriders V-Twin Bike Tour 2008 kick-off event had read the headline in The Milwaukee Sentinel that read "Harley-Davidson Stock Takes a Beating." Or maybe they didn’t even care. People will always need good beer, music and motorcycles, a prevailing wind that blows strong and steady in the world of custom bikes. Or does it?

Since I was the Editor of Hot Bike magazine eons ago and later one of the Eds at Easyriders, I’ve heard the debate about the "bubble bursting," the wags wagging about how the Great Surge (or Splurge) of bike building and bike sales had to come to an thumping, roadrash of an end. For years the bubble grew and showed no signs of collapse. Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes paled in strength so it seemed. The motorcycle industry and with it custom bikes was part of our living/breathing/replicating lifestyle. It would not go the way of the dinosaur, unless we did.

But back to the report from The Motor Co.’s own hometown newspaper. "Shares fell $9.84 to $48.93, a 16.7% drop. That was the company's worst fall on Wall Street in 14 years. Several investment firms downgraded the stock. The company lost almost $3 billion in market value."

Grim news? The handwriting on the garage wall leaving a doomsday forecast? For those with short- or long-term memory loss, the Motor Co. has survived over 100 years of market downturns, aka Depressions, and depressing management at times. Several years ago they got their act together and made history of history.

More: Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour on Motorcycle.com

I don't know about the rest of it, but I sure wish I could write this well.

[swmnkdinthervr]

Originally Posted by jdbankey

Ditto on the "event sucked"

Why would there be cars at a motorcycle event?

This was my first and last easyrider show

Easyriders has gone the way of the rest of the "shows"...more about fleecing you than offering a decent product...I for one hail the "crash" of the motorcycle fad, we've now made the public aware of us...now let us go back to riding instead of competing to see who has the best garage trophy...JMHO

[2kflhr]

Originally Posted by hogg831

...the Easyriders V-Twin Bike show in Charlotte sucked big time!! They had a car show that a few bikes were strategically placed in and about.

4 years ago the wife and I went since we were given free passes from a friend that owns a bike shop. Back then since we rode we were allowed to park for free. Afterwards, she commented that it was a good thing it didn't cost us anything because it would have been a waste of money.

One of the guys that works for me said he went for his final time this year.

[hogg831]

Originally Posted by 2kflhr

4 years ago the wife and I went since we were given free passes from a friend that owns a bike shop. Back then since we rode we were allowed to park for free. Afterwards, she commented that it was a good thing it didn't cost us anything because it would have been a waste of money.

One of the guys that works for me said he went for his final time this year.

...yep, I'll just sit on the couch with a good book or magazine.

[SICK120]

The Sacramento Show was pretty good. I can't comment on the rest for 08, but I did attend the 07 San Diego show and it was poor. If they brought the rodeo back and ran them together i think the attendance would increase.