Progressive International Motorcycle Show NYC

NEW YORK, NY, NOV. 30-DEC. 2—As autumn creeps up on winter and bikes are put away for the season, motorcyclists in the northern regions of the country start looking for other diversions.The annual Progressive International Motorcycle Show series is a fine way to pass the weekend, and on the very last day of November the New York City edition opened its doors.

Kicking off the show on Friday morning was Media Day, during which more than a dozen motorcycle manufacturers, including Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle, presented their latest models as well as upgrades to current models.  

Along with various local as well as national vendors, several attractions returned to the show. Progressive expanded their footprint by adding a jukebox, pool table and massage chairs to Flo’s Chop Shop and merchandise setup. The Marketplace, an exhibit of aftermarket parts and apparel manufacturers, were staffed by representatives that could answer product questions, and tablets were available for customers to order products online. The collection of merchandisers included Arlen Ness, tire companies Continental, Michelin, Bridgestone, and Heidenau, helmet manufacturers Arai, Klim, HJC, Shark and Shoei, National Cycle windshields, Vance & Hines exhaust, Progressive Suspension, Liqui Moli lubricants, Yuasa batteries, and K&N air filters.

Also making a return engagement was Shift at IMS, a display that included about a dozen specialty merchandisers, mostly featuring stylish yet functional apparel, some handmade and most manufactured in the U.S. This exhibit was great way to gain support for new brands that cater to the two-wheel lifestyle.

Another second-time show feature was Adventure Out!, which had been expanded significantly from last year’s exhibit. The Adventure Out! space included riding gear and touring companies, as well as speakers that shared their adventures on two wheels, both on-road and off.

Past years’ shows have always included children’s areas, giving the young ‘uns a chance to ride around a small track set up inside the exhibit hall and participate in other kids’ activities. This year those features and a number of new ones comprised Discover the Ride, a new initiative to bring in riders at a young age as well as attracting riders across every demographic. DTR Program Manager Robert Pandya, an industry veteran, said, “IMS is the only national show series that can invite attendees to explore the world of motorcycling, and it’s a welcome challenge to be a conduit for new riders, and find ways to increase our riding family.” The Allstate Kids Zone partnered with Stacyc to provide kids with the opportunity to ride battery-assisted balance bikes. Adults could take Yamaha electric power-assist bicycles for a few laps around the indoor course, then step up to an electric Zero Motorcycle and train with expert instructors. Zero also presented the XDL Wheelie Experience so folks could test their wheelie skills in a controlled environment, and there were several stationary dyno setups, including one that featured a big screen simulating actual riding through twisties and varied terrain.

Along with the new motorcycle displays was the IMS Vintage exhibit, this year showcasing bikes owned by members of the U.S. Classic Racing Association and New York City Riders. Also featured again this year was the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. Some of the winners included Jason Campbell in the Custom Harley class for his 2015 Road Glide, George Stinsman with his 2016 Chaos Cycle in the Custom Retro class, and the coveted Freestyle award was earned by Tim Dixon for his 2018 custom chopper.

The final stops in the IMS series will be back-to-back weekends for the Minneapolis show February 1-3, Washington, D.C. February 8-10, and Chicago on February 15-17. Go to www.motorcycleshows.com for more information.