#aimexpo

Beginning with Intermot on October 3rd, moving on to AIMExpo October 12th, and EICMA November 4th, we come to the final rounds of the moto show season, the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS) leading off in Long Beach, California. For the moto-public the Progressive IMS tour has six more dates ending February 12th in Chicago. With all the new 2017 machinery to be seen, we recommend attending because the Progressive IMS is the only place you’ll find everything motorcycle under one roof.

With the 2016 iterations of Intermot and AIMExpo in the books, we’re left with EICMA as the remaining traditional trade/consumer show with some yet unrevealed new models for 2017. Rumor has it Honda is saving a world premiere for the Long Beach IMS show a week after EICMA, so there may be a surprise yet come. We’ll let ya know as soon as we can confirm. Here’s what we know about each bike to be unwrapped in a week’s time:

AIMExpo’s final year in Orlando was an impressive one. The event was home to the world debut of Yamaha’s new YZF-R6, and the first time stateside to see up close and personal many of the hot new models for 2017: Honda CBR1000RR SP/SP2, Suzuki GSX-R1000R, Suzuki V-Strom 650/1000, Yamaha FZ-09. In fact, the amount of new-model videos we had to shoot left no time for some of the other cool stuff found at the show. So, here’s a compendium of the best of the rest at AIMExpo 2016.

So far this year there’s been two big motorcycle shows: Intermot in Germany, and AIMExpo in Orlando. During those two shows, major manufacturers introduced no less than 22 brand new or heavily revised models for 2017. Include some of the lesser known OEMs, such as Benelli, SSR, and National Moto & Cycle we reported on from AIMExpo, and the list grows larger. There’s more to come next month at EICMA, but for now, we’re curious to know which of the following models pushes your buttons; floats your boat; tickles your fancy… Just vote for one.

You may notice that Tom Roderick is sitting down for this wrap-up video from the 2016 AIMExpo. There’s a good reason for that, too. Just look closely at his shoe in the bottom left corner of the frame at the beginning of the video. We’re pretty sure we can see smoke coming off of it. After all, he’s been racing around the arena floor for two days bringing the inside story from the expo. So, watch his summary of what happened this year and prepare yourself for a new location for next year.

The latest trend among in motorcycling is introducing a new superbike alongside a higher-spec premium versions. European manufacturers like Ducati and MV Agusta had been doing this for a while but the Big Four Japanese OEMs are now joining in, first with Yamaha and its YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M. Earlier, Tom Roderick gave us a look at Honda’s CBR1000RR SP and SP2 and now he takes us through Suzuki’s new 2017 GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R.

Suzuki drew inspiration from its classic DR-Z Dakar racer and its production version the DR-Big, in updating its V-Strom 650 and 1000 models. Each available in regular and wire-spoke XT versions, the 2017 V-Strom 650s are available in dealerships now while the V-Strom 1000 models will arrive in showrooms early next year as an early 2018 model.

We already wrote about Honda’s new CBR1000RR SP and SP2 when they were first announced a little while ago and now Tom Roderick offers his impressions after seeing Honda’s new special production CBR1000RR SP and SP2 in the flesh at AIMExpo.

Earlier this month, Yamaha revealed an updated MT-09 at the Intermot show in Germany. At AIMExpo, Yamaha presented the revised Triple again, this time under its North American market name as the FZ-09. Key updates include an upgraded fork, assist and slipper clutch and a restyled headlight based on the FZ-10’s unit.

The biggest news out of this year’s AIMExpo is the world premiere of the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6. With a proven track record in MotoAmerica and World Supersport racing, the R6 gains new aerodynamic styling inspired by the R1 as well as the superbike’s KYB fork and brakes. The new R6 also receives selectable ride modes, traction control, ABS, a lighter aluminum tank and a magnesium subframe.

Yamaha is a big supporter of the custom bike scene, encouraging builders from all over to make their Yamaha their own. As part of the Yamaha “Yard Built Project,” talented builders are asked to customize certain models to help inspire others, with the possibility of making their custom parts available for purchase to the masses.

If you like the looks of the FZ-10 but prefer a Triple instead of an inline-Four, you are in luck! This morning at the AIMExpo, Yamaha took the wraps off of the 2017 FZ-09. The styling influences of its larger sibling are immediately apparent. Four aggressive, “floating style” headlights give the FZ–09 an pugnacious, insect-like visage that hints at impending trouble. The swoopy radiator shrouds and the updated air scoops add to the visible tension.

Yamaha revealed a new YZF-R6, adding new engine modes, traction control, ABS and a front suspension system derived from the YZF-R1. The most successful 600cc supersport in AMA Road Racing history also receives new styling including an aerodynamic fairing, lighter aluminum fuel tank and all-LED lighting.

The last quarter of each year gives us a glimpse into the future as motorcycle manufacturers begin to display the latest machines we’ll see in showrooms during the upcoming year. Last month saw the introduction of a new engine platform from Harley-Davidson, plus the unveiling of more than 20 new or revised bikes at the biennial Intermot moto show in Germany.

Comfortable shoes. It’s the foremost important aspect of enjoying any large consumer or trade show. Comfortable Shoe Editor, Troy Siahaan, and I had this exact conversation the morning of attending media day at Long Beach IMS. We both rode to the show, but whereas he brought sneakers to change into, I put a new pair of Bates Adrenalin Riding Boots to the ultimate comfort test by wearing them all day during the show (the most comfortable riding boots I’ve ever owned, I might add – full review coming soon).