Euro Moto 2012

Coming this March!

As the economy begins its slow turn around, one thing is for certain —sales of European Motorcycles in the Northwest are leading the charge. Throughout the great recession most dealers of European brands continued to see sales growth year after year. Ducati now claims North America is their number one market and it doesn't hurt that two of their top five dealers over the last few years are right here in the Northwest. The Northwest has also been a stronghold market for BMW, with two dealers popping up in their top five sales reports almost every month. Sales of Triumph motorcycles continue to grow and long time favorites like Aprilia and Moto Guzzi are enjoying strong sales.

But declining marketing budgets at the manufactures have eroded their exposure during the International Motorcycle Show held each year in Seattle. BMW, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Piaggio/Vespa have been absent from the Seattle show for at least three years.

Jim Boltz, long time dealer at Cycle Barn, together with his General Manager, Garrett Johnson, decided it was time to do something about it. Boltz and Johnson crafted a plan and invited select dealers to join them in the first of its kind event ever held in the region. Meet Euro Moto 2012.

On the weekend of March 3&4, the Lynnwood Convention Center will  host Euro Moto 2012. The show will be operated by the dealers, not the manufacturers, of every prominent European motorcycle brand on the market today. In addition, popular European clothing and accessories lines will be on display.

Joining Cycle Barn, who will present the Triumph, Vespa and Piaggio lines, will be Ride West (BMW), Bellevue Ducati (Ducati), Moto International (Aprilia, Moto Guzzi), Lynnwood Motoplex (KTM), MV Augusta (Bellevue Motorsports) and Tasky’s Metric Cycle (Husqvarna, Gas Gas, Husaberg & Christini).

With the show being run by the dealers, most of the above will close their shops Saturday to ensure they have a plentiful supply of sales have staff on hand to share their latest models with local riders.

As for the clothing and accessories side of the show, Johnson describes it as the total see-all/hands-on experience where riders can see every item in a manufacturer’s lineup and can make purchases on the spot (some items may need to be special ordered depending on availability). Even though names like Alpinestars, Sidi and Givi make the national circuit during the IMS event, this is the only time you’ll get a chance to see every item in their lineup in one place.

Additional vendors will be onsite that are tied to European product lines including Touratec, Twisted Throttle, Shad and Shuberth.

In addition, a number of presenters will run a number of 25 minute seminars throughout the weekend that will focus on touring tips, where to ride locally and abroad, riding skills and more.

Every person who attends will be provided a door prize ticket and door prizes will be called out each hour (winners must be present). A grand prize will be called out Sunday afternoon which is an elaborate free pass to Laguna Seca and provides time with some top names and a parade lap before the race if you bring your bike (winner need not be present, visit the website for more details). Additional door prize tickets may be purchased during the show with all proceeds going to Riders for Health.

There’s no doubt the parking lot will fill with some stunning iron from around the area. After all, it’s well known that owners of European bikes take pride in making them as pretty as can be and they love to show off their stuff.

Mark your calendar for March 3&4. Show admission will be $12 for adults and a two day pass is available for just $16. You can purchase your tickets now online and save $3 off the price of admission using the promo code EM3OFF. Parking will be free for motorcycles and cars. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.euromoto2012.com

SR/Winter 2012