The International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach Was a Big Success

7 Dec 2016

Motorcycles Parked at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, CA

The parking lot was full and the weather was great at the Long Beach IMS

Based just on sheer attendance, the Progressive International Motorcycle Show’s first stop in Long Beach, California, was a roaring success. The foot traffic both inside and outside of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center was refreshing and encouraging for the sport. The heavy attendance is a direct result of the IMS's reputation for delivering a quality product to the masses, and the 2016-2017 incarnation of the event is taking that reputation and raising the bar to another level altogether.

IMS is the annual festival of all things two wheeled, that makes a trek across the US like a rolling city. It’s a chance for motorcycle enthusiasts of all varieties to sit on, test ride, and lust after the newest motorcycle models on the market. It is also a chance for the masses to learn techniques, try on equipment, see the latest performance products, and just take in the atmosphere. In a nutshell, IMS is a perfect storm - a convergence of an enthusiastic moto-culture and a responsive and progressive consumer motorcycle industry.

K&N display ar the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, CA

The K&N intake and filter display was a mainstay of the IMS Marketplace

The lines of folks waiting outside the venue to test ride the rolling hardware of the various manufacturers speaks to the growing national interest in motorcycling. Most of the major marquees had their newest and most popular models lined up and ready for repeated group test rides around the downtown Long Beach area. Those same manufacturers had large and attractive displays inside the convention center for show-goers to touch, study, and straddle their offerings.

There was a great mix of entertainment inside the show as well. At the same time an adventure world traveler was taking about navigating the mud in Zimbabwe, an artist was painting a motorcycle-themed masterpiece with only sticks and black dye. In another area, there was a demonstration on how to lift a dropped motorcycle, while outside an aerial display of jumping and stunting was underway. Entertaining activities and demonstrations were ubiquitous throughout the show weekend.

Classic bikes at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, CA

Classic motorcycles brought history to life in Long Beach

A highlight of the Long Beach IMS was the 8th consecutive J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. The machines on display throughout the show hall were a hit with the strolling crowds. Custom builders consider an IMS trophy one of the biggest honors achievable in recognition of a project. In long Beach, Andrew Ursich's "Pink Panther" won the Free Style Class. The Modified Harley Class was won by "Klassy 9" by Ken’s Factory. Top honors in the MOD Custom Class were garnered by AFT Custom's 1976 Honda racer, while Anthony Robinson's 1969 Triumph T-100R took the Retro MOD Class. K&N is now a sponsor of the competition and we will be bringing you bike and builder spotlights for each of the stops of IMS.

Of course, K&N was a powerful presence at IMS in Long Beach. Not only was the K&N product display a popular stop for performance accessory fans at the show, but K&N filters and intakes were a mainstay on the custom and vintage bikes that graced the show floor.

The remaining stops of the IMS are:

New York - December 9-11

Washington, D.C. – January 6-8

Dallas – January 13-15

Cleveland – January 27-29

Minneapolis – February 3-5

Chicago – February 10-12

See the photos and captions below for some the highlights of Long Beach IMS (Photos: Tim Kessel)