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Last weekend, the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show came to Greenville, SC at the Carolina First Center. It was a three-day event (Friday through Sunday - January 8th, 9th and 10th) that covered everything a motorcyclist could want in a bike show.
I left home about 8:30AM heading west on Rt 150. I turned left in Boiling Springs to stay on Rt 150 and after about a mile, I stopped at the Hardee.s for a couple sausage biscuits. I continued on Rt 150 until I got to I85 where I turned right to go south to Greenville, SC.
It was a beautiful sunny morning without a cloud in the sky but it was cold!!! The temps were in the upper teens when I left and it was taking its sweet time to warm up. Once on I85, I just went with the flow until I turned off at I385 towards downtown Greenville. I turned off at exit 40B - Pleasantburg Drive and followed it to Tower Road and the Carolina First Center was on the left. It.s right near the Greenville Downtown Airport.
My first stop was at the AMCA display with all the antique Harleys. Some looked like old friends. I met Louie. He told me about the AMCA event coming this May in Denton, NC. I.ll be there because it.s a nice ride, not too far and it should be fun. Louie is an interesting man with many vintage Harleys in his garage. When I asked him how many he had, he just said that he needs a bigger garage. He cannot move in his because of the bikes.
All the major motorcycle manufacturers had displays . Harley-Davidson, Victory, Ducati, Triumph, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki to name a few. There were also some more unusual and lesser known three-wheel manufacturers like Lehman Trikes, Thoroughbred Motorsports (with their Ford powered automatic 'Stallion'), BRP (with their Can-Am 'Spyder') and Campagna Motors with their street-legal 'T-Rex 14RR' rocket ship that goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. They looked like something out of a science fiction magazine.
There were other areas of biker interest with many booths full of leather goods and other somewhat necessary goods for sale which made it a very well rounded show - everything from motorcycle insurance, to chrome goodies for the bike, to that special pair of biker earrings for the ladies and everything in between.
At the JP Cycle booth, I bumped into a couple from Spartanburg who were looking for old British bike parts. I told them about Sandy Run Cycles here in Shelby. We continued talking for about fifteen minutes. I learned that they met while she was stationed in Germany and when her tour was over, she came home and he soon followed. He.s going to become a US citizen and has a work visa until that happens. They were very pleasant to talk with and I hope I see them on the road again.
I walked to the stunt area and joined the crowd to watch the stunt rider on his new Ducati. It was held inside the center which made it even more difficult for the rider. The surface of the concrete wasn.t good for bike riding in general but stunt riding was extremely dangerous. The tires were constantly screeching as he rode around the ring.
At the center stage (The Hub), I watched a display by Accident Scene Management on how to remove the helmet from a fallen biker. You have to be real careful not to bend the neck or it could paralyze the fallen rider. They have a great course that every riding group leader should take. It might save a life.
The Women.s Center was crowded with women bikers connecting with other women bikers . all while they learned more about how to ride safely in style with the latest stylish motorcycle gear.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol had one of their new Honda police bikes on display. They were giving away posters and DVD.s about their theme .riding smart.. One of the posters had Albert Einstein sitting on Harley, looking cool in his protective gear. Another booth had .Riders Helping Riders. which is geared toward keeping the intoxicated rider off his bike - therefore saving lives.
I had a great time walking around watching the people. There were many families with small children. The dads were explaining all about the motorcycles to the little ones - maybe trying to get an ally for when he tries to tell mom that he wants one. My free Progressive Insurance tote bag was full of catalogs, flyers and brochures of my favorite bikes. I really like the looks and riding position of the new Honda Sabre. I.ll have to take one for a test ride soon.
I left about 12:00 after spending two hours enjoying myself. I headed back to I385 and then to I85 north toward Spartanburg. I turned off at Rt 221 and followed it all the way to Chesnee and the Bantam Chef where I stopped for lunch. It was pretty crowded but the owner, Dave, was there talking with all the patrons. It.s, like one big family with Dave as the patriarch.
After a filling meal, I continued on Rt 221 and turned right onto Rt 11. After a few miles, I turned left onto Rt 221A which had more traffic than I was used to. I.m usually riding early on Sunday before the traffic wakes up. I turned right onto Boiling Springs Road which turns into Cliffside Road. After I went through the light it becomes Rt 150 and I followed it all the way home to Shelby, NC. I got home in time to watch the second half of the NFL playoff game. It was a great way to spend a Sunday morning!
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