I have never been to a large motorcycle show like the EICMA or IMS... does Harley ever bring concepts to the IMS?

Would love to see them drop a bomb on Long Beach this weekend.

 

Last January I got to sit and "ride" Harley's LiveWire demo at the Dallas IMS. Already purchased a discount ticket for next January Dallas show.

 

They used to be at the San Mateo County fairgrounds but I am pretty sure IMS has NorCal on ignore now. Screw 'em.

 

If you purchase your tickets online, use the Americader discount code "AMER18" to save $3.

 

IMS tried for years to get folks to come to the show, but every year attendance dwindled. Then they tried Sacramento, but that didn't work, either. The Norcal demographic just doesn't support a large show like this.

 

IIRC, the San Mateo County fairgrounds and horse racing track was torn down so that venue is gone.
It's hard to imagine a limited motorcycle riding demographic in a good weather state with 40 million people. IMS was always crowded when I was there.
I'm not going to Long Beach.

 

The San Mateo Event Center is still there.

https://www.smcec.co/facilities/

I watched the crowds really dwindle over the years there. The exhibitors went from four buildings down to three down to two. Yes, Calimexakommiefornia has good weather and a whole lot of folks, but let's just say the demographics has changed (and I'll leave at that), at least in Norcal.

 

Now that I think about it, the last time I saw a IMS show there it was during the height of the recession. No one buys motorcycles when the economy is bad and people are out of work. Harley showrooms were filled with repo's.
That's probably when IMS left Northern California.
The economy in the SF Bay Area is good now, hopefully they return.
Then again, who can afford a motorcycle when a place to live in the Bay Area is a million bucks?

 

I went to one at the Javitts Center in NYC. Lots of custom bikes, factory rides, vendors and a small beer-bar every 25-yards. (Hic) Of what I remember, it was worth it.

 

From my experience in going to these this is not where they reveal new models or concepts. There will be the bikes you can buy currently to check out and talk to reps. There is usually some custom and nostalgia bikes on display also. A decent amount of product vendors as well.