Custom Yamaha TZ750 with Bob Star (left) and builder Jeff Palhegyi
2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Adventure
Custom Victory Bagger
2014 Zero SR
Batman and the Batcycle
Custom Can-Am Spyder
Racer Gloves’ Race Carbon
Review: 2013 Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long BeachThe Progressive International Motorcycle Show rolled into Long Beach for the 2014 model year. As usual, there were plenty of new motorcycles to get excited about.
While we didn’t get many surprises, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not fun to see all the new bikes in one place at one time. Plus, there are plenty of custom bikes to peruse, as well as a great selection of apparel and accessory companies displaying their wares.Let’s take a look at the companies at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, in alphabetical order. We were disappointed by the absence of the Piaggio Group, so there’s nothing to see from Aprilia, Moto Guzzi or Vespa.BMW has five exciting new models to show, though one (the S 1000 R naked sport bike) didn’t make it. Still, presenting the 2014 R nineT, R 1200 RT, K 1600 GTL Exclusive and R 1200 GS Adventure is more than enough to send us running for our helmets.Ducati didn’t have the new 2014 1199 Superleggera on display, to the disappointment of World Superbike fans. However, the rest of the Ducati line was there, including the muscular all-new 2014 Monster 1200 S.Harley-Davidson’s big news this year is Project Rushmore. All the Project Rushmore tourers were there, as well as a wide array of customized 2014 models, plus the stockers.Honda debuted the muscular 2014 Valkyrie and futuristic CTX1300. A nice surprise was a CBR1000RR customized to look like the Honda GP bikes of the 1960s—check out that paint and Leo Vince exhaust.Husqvarna, newly acquired by KTM from BMW, showed the first of the KTM-powered Huskies. With the classic Swedish white/blue/yellow livery, they look great.Hyosung impressed us with the wild-looking all-new 2014 EXIV 250. The list price could be below $4000, and we can’t wait to ride the angular little guy.Indian presented a 2014 Chief Vintage bagger that will be sold at an auction with the proceeds going to charity. Another all-American brand, Jack Daniel’s, added a kick to the bike, as did the chaps-wearing girls presenting the bike.Kawasaki had two literbikes get updates this year—the 2014 Z1000 and Ninja 1000. Both have attention-grabbing styling and significant performance updates.KTM had two exciting 2014 models to debut at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach—the spectacular 1290 Super Duke naked bike and the 1190 Adventure R. KTM also displayed what has to be one of the most beautiful dirt bikes made—the 350 XCF-W Six Days.Royal Enfield had a large, impressive display. The Enfields keep getting more sophisticated (EFI, disc brakes, piggyback shocks), yet they continue to hold onto the retro character. The accessorized café racer was quite impressive.Star and Yamaha combined displays, with Star focusing on custom Bolt motorcycles, though a custom Star Stryker also caught our eyes. Jeff Palhegyi built an amazing custom Yamaha TZ750 flat tracker, which reminds everyone of Yamaha’s rich racing history.Suzuki focused on the new 2014 V-Strom 1000 Adventure, which was proudly placed on a lifted rotating stand. Plenty of BOSS cruisers were also there for fans of blacked-out customs.Victory did not have a new model to show us, but the custom bagger built in conjunction with Nikki Sixx of Motley Crüe fame was certainly an eye-catcher.Zero has updated their motorcycles for 2014, so everything was shiny and new. The SR is Zero’s highest performance electric bike, and it has an impressive range of 171 miles with an accessory battery pack. Also impressive was the new FX model with full size tires and beefier suspension.And finally, there are plenty of over the top customs, including Batman’s Batcycle and the wildest Can-Am Spyder adaptation we’ve ever seen. Plus, of course, scores of accessory and apparel companies, such as Racer Gloves.2013-4 Progressive International Motorcycle Show Schedule:
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.
