5 bikes not to miss
Sound RIDER! is now entering our 12th year of
presenting the Northwest Motorcycle Display at the International
Motorcycle Show, held each December in Seattle.
We rarely ever repeat a bike and this year is no different. None
of
the bikes in this year’s exhibit have ever been shown in our
display. They are all unique in their own way, ranging from mild to
wild. This year’s display will feature 40 innovations that celebrate
the creative genius of our Northwest motorcycling community.
Here are five you don’t want to miss.
CBR1800GLRR
– By day, Cedric Smith is a tech at Everett Powersports. His nights
and weekends are spent masterminding some of the most exotic
creations we’ve seen since Russ Tom passed away.
This CBR1800GLRR utilizes a modified CBR600RR frame. The motor
was replaced with one from a Gold Wing and then stretched. It’s a
kick on the straights, at the track, and it’s also street legal.
Smith will have three other mind-blowers in the show including
two Moto GP style bikes utilizing CRF motors and a TLR1000 street
legal flat tracker. Support for this display, naturally, comes from
Everett Powersports.
YAMAHA
XS11 w/Kenna Sidecar – For those with sidecars living in the
Northwest, they know the virtue. You can drive it in the snow and
(carefully) under icy conditions. If you’re going to make a
conversion, make it nice. This conversion by Rolf-Immo Gabbe is an
inspiration to anyone thinking about doing a similar project.
We have several sidecar setups in this year’s display.
VICTORY CROSS COUNTRY (shown at top) – When Victory released
the Cross Country it was all the rage. You either loved it or hated
it. Gothic to the core with a motor design that was state of the art,
it seemed like more than just a bike to those who bought it. The
model celebrates an American company's ability to succeed where
others have failed in recent years and Victory remains a strong
contender in the cruiser touring market today.
This bike was repainted by Greg Herzberg as a tribute to his
marine nephew. It’s called The Iron Cross.
YAMAHA
XS 650 – The chopper. It can be just about anything you want it
to be. Nick Maki has taken a simple street bike from Yamaha and
carved out his own idea of what one can be. Rigid frame
construction and use of a dual sport tread on the rear sounds like
an oxymoron, but hey – it looks cool!
Enjoy this as well as more choppers in this year's display.
KAWASAKI
Z1 – How to turn a standard into a sportbike? Owner Harry Gamble
began by tossing the stock pipe and adding a Kerker, shaved the seat
and rebored the motor. Start bike, say a prayer – HOLD ON!
This Z1 is one of several classic/modified Japanese bikes in the
show this year.
Discount tickets for the show are available by clicking through
the show ad banner on our home page. Be sure to use the promo code "soundrider"
or "SR!" when purchasing your tickets to get the discounted rate.
Seeing this display is worth the price of admission alone.
Beginning in 2013 we will feature a different bike each month
masterminded right here in the Northwest. The wilder the better.
See you at the show!
