Saturday, December 14, 2013

My Other Passion

Every year there is a motorcycle show in NYC.  Every year I go.  I went today and had fun.

Part of the joy is running into friends, which always happens.  The other part is seeing new bikes.  This year, the star of the show are the new Indian motorcycles.  Indian was a marque that began in 1901 and sadly ended in 1953.  It was the primary competition in America to Harley-Davidson.  Indians, in my opinion, had lots more style, with distinctive valanced fenders and a lit-up Indian-head sculpture on the front wheel.

A large company named Polaris bought the right to the Indian name and built a new machine which looks like the old motorcycles but with modern technology.  They built a new engine which is getting rave reviews.  The bikes themselves are very handsome.  Today was my first time seeing one in the flesh and they're impressive.

Have you ever been on a motorcycle?


 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

16 comments:

  1. I'm hoping to be able to go to the show when it is in town. It is so fun looking at all the motorcycles and dreaming of spring! Like your photos.

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  2. Motorcycles are soooo fun and scary at the same time to me... And I think everyone looks hot when they ride one!

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  3. Awesome bikes!

    And the answer to your question is "Yes"!

    Didn't know Polaris bought the Indian moniker. Interesting...

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  4. Replies
    1. Ha! Actually, I grasp your point. Riding is physical and exhilarating.

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  5. I rode pillion on a bike down a motorway in Spain years ago, I though my thighs would crush the bike, it all rather freaked me out and I had no choice but to get back on to return, haven't been on one since x x x

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  6. When I was about 15 my dad took me on a motorcycle trip from the Canadian Prairies to Vancouver. It was lovely. I love that you can feel the wind, smell the fields, and wave to other bikers.

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  7. That was fun to read: your love of motorcycles shines! I rode on the back of a boyfriend's Honda Hawk a few times. And I rented a motor scooter once, a long time ago, on Mykonos. The rental guy put me on a Vespa first, but I immediately drove it up a wall at the rental lot, so he took that away and gave me a much smaller scooter, with a tiny engine. Poor guy - I'm surprised he rented to me at all!

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  8. I haven't! But I'm sure I would feel pretty bad-ass on one of these!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  9. I haven't, but I've always wanted to ride a bike! My mom wrecked on one, and has a pretty major scar from where she ripped open her arm in the wreck, so needless to say my family was never encouraging with motorcycles!

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  10. I have been on many motorbikes and especially LOVE being on a bike behind my hunny ~ he is a super experienced rider and really good at it. We test drove a Honda a while back and it was amazing.

    The Indian is a beautiful bike and I wouldn't mind owning one ... or a Harley Davidson for that sake would make me learn to ride a bike.

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  11. Yes sir ... yes sir. Its awfully addictive too.
    The Indians sure are beautiful!

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  12. These are pretty! I used to want a motorcycle when I was 15, instead of a car. My dad said no.

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  13. Yup - Mum and Dad had them, brother has them, Mister has them - so it was inevitable :) Motorcycle shows are interesting - but miles away from what motorcycling actually is ...

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    1. Forgot to add - but just fantastic for catching up with old friends - you look like you had a great time :)

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  14. Never been on a motorcycle, I was never interested in them until I saw TE Lawrence's Brough Superior in the Imperial War Museum and my jaw dropped at how beautiful it was! I have been on the back of a Vespa though :)

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