The ever-creative Arlen Ness...
The ever-creative Arlen Ness can still clog the aisles.
UPDATED The annual Motorcycle Dealer Expo in Indianapolis just closed. Intrepid staffers Cherney and Elvidge spent the weekend scouting the show floors for hot new gear for cruiser enthusiasts. There was certainly plenty of cool stuff to see and custom bikes to ogle that showcased the products of builders and aftermarket accessory companies. Choppers are hot this year, and hottest metric chops came were the Barons Yamaha shown below and the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Mad Kaw (see separate story)built by Cobra Engineering and Denny Berg. Of course, not all the eye magnets were choppers, as the latest Arlen Ness creation (at left) shows.
But the real meat of the Indy Show (which is not open to the public, just dealers and the industry) is motorcycle accessories and gear. Shown below are a few of the new products that you can expect to find at your dealer or elsewhere this year. The trend toward ever-wider rear tires continued, with a 280 from Metzeler (shown below) and a 300 from Avon. Spread that swingarm! You can now install a network on your motorcycle too. Or peel off your windshield in a flash.
Marsee's new eTankbag plugs...
Marsee's new eTankbag plugs into the bike's battery and provides power and storage for all your electronics--radar detector, GPS, cellphone, electric clothing, etc.
Custom builders' demand for...
Custom builders' demand for maximum rear-wheel rubber continues to drive tire makers to offer ever-wider rubber. This is Metzeler's 280. Avon had a 300.
Choppers abounded at the Indy...
Choppers abounded at the Indy show. Baron's Yamaha Millennium chopper was one of the best metric examples of this currently hot genre of custom motorcycle.
Using a 112-ci Volvo powerplant,...
Using a 112-ci Volvo powerplant, the Dakota is an Indian-style inline longitudinal four built in limited numbers in England specifically for the U.S. market.
Holland's Rev It! is courting...
Holland's Rev It! is courting the US apparel market. Its AirFlow jacket (shown here) incorporates CE protective armor and a removable waterproof liner.
Here's another angle on the...
Here's another angle on the wacky-cool Arlen Ness custom. Ness has long been among the most original and creative of custom-motorcycle builders.
The latest player in the motorcycle...
The latest player in the motorcycle helmet business is the Scorpion brand.
Scorpion had a unique gimmick...
Scorpion had a unique gimmick to attract attention--live scorpions.
Scorpion is aiming at the...
Scorpion is aiming at the value segment with modest price and solid protection.
We think that "Nikki Sloane,"...
We think that "Nikki Sloane," introduced as Scorpion's "Director of Marketing and R&D," was the reason that Cherney turned in so many Scorpion photos.
National Cycle's new Switchblade...
National Cycle's new Switchblade windshield system offers three interchangeable shield sizes and instant no-tools mount or dismount, Now you see it...
...and now you don't. The...
...and now you don't. The basic stainless mount system is $99, with windshields priced from $200 for the 20-inch 2-Up to $150 for the briefer stylish Deflector.
Victory showed several customs...
Victory showed several customs at its booth, some with pieces that can be ordered factory installed.
Arlen Ness also brought the...
Arlen Ness also brought the latest product of his relationship with Victory in this Victory chopper.
Baron's Custom Accessories...
Baron's Custom Accessories showed a distinctive carbon-fiber bodywork kit fitted to a Yamaha Road Star.
Here is another view angle...
Here is another view angle of the carbon-fiber-wrapped Yamaha Road Star seen in the Baron's Custom Accessories display.
A Vulcan 1500 wearing Baron's...
A Vulcan 1500 wearing Baron's Gangster kit with its ape-hanger bar and Family Jewels Pipe Tip. Please forgive the background.
Baron's rear strut on the...
Baron's rear strut on the Kawasaki Vulcan may look pretty and create a low profile, but please don't ask us to actually ride a bike with it.