ITALY’S MOTOR BIKE EXPO

[MotoFactory]

Story & photos by: Zapata Espinoza/zapbikemedia
In my almost 40 years of being in the moto industry I’ve been lucky to attend my fair share of motorcycle shows. The very first and greatest at the time was the EICMA (Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo) show in Milano, Italy. EICMA got its start back in 1914 and for my rookie year in 1990 it was held in the city’s ageing, quasi-decrepit exhibition center.
As the name implied, it was a combination of both bicycles and motorcycles on display. Eventually the bicycles would disappear, and EICMA became the predominant industry show which would end each run with a public day for the moto mad masses.
This year the Italian Trade Agency invited me to another Italian show in the city of Verona which sits about two hours east of Milano. The Motor Bike Expo got its start back in 1995 as a custom bike show, but it had grown over the years to include motorcycles of every variety. In short, this show was a mindblower!
Over the two days I attended, tens of thousands of people (at $20 per head) poured through the gates to gawk at the latest in models and accessories. Although the day long rainstorm on day 2 cancelled the demo rides, stunt show and Endurocross competition, it certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of attendees who traveled from all across Europe.
Just as remains evident each year at the show in Milano, when it comes to dirt bikes the ADV/Dakar bike market far out paces the consumers’ interest in motocross bikes. By judging the number of off-road oriented tour companies present, Euro ADV riders have a definite thirst for hardcore, off-road riding experiences.
Easily the one take-away I had was just how passionate European moto enthusiasts are about motorcycles. And from that thought, the question arose, why is it that such grand motorcycle shows don’t/can’t exist in America? Don’t we love motorcycles too?!
For more: www.motorbikeexpo.it/en/

INSIDE THE HALLS

There was no shortage of off-road tour companies at the show and this big Beemer was an exceptional rental.

Note the cutout in the gas tank.

Rally bikes were on predominant display in many accessory brand booths. Paris-Alger-Dakar took place from December 1978 to January ’79. Yamaha’s rally bike legacy that led to today’s Dakar inspired production bikes.

 

It’s official, multi-color boots have replaced the long dominant white boots. That should be enough gas to get you to work and back! Kove had an impressive display of bikes that included this model that borrowed Lucky Strike graphics of old. Among all the modern bikes was this true stalwart of off-road history …and an Italian knock-off. Husqvarna had a Billy Bolt replica on display. The Yamaha XT 500 fan club was in the house. Italians seem to have real affection for wild graphic kits. Dakar bikes were found in every corner. Easily one of the most entertaining displays was “scooter hall” that had some truly head scratching bikes on display. It was surprising to see how big custom bikes and choppers are in Europe. One of the most striking was this spectacular re-creation of an old dirt tracker. Biker clubs from all over the continent strolled through the halls proudly displaying their club colors. If the value of bike shows can be reduced to a single thing, it would be inspiring kids to get on bikes and live a life on two wheels. There was a nice tribute for Cagiva test rider Giampaolo Marinoni who died at the race in 1986 following a crash on the final stage. A modern version of the famous BMW piloted by former motocross world champion Gaston Rahier who was a two-time winner of Paris Dakar. Grit was a new e-bike brand that offered a variety of body kits. Don’t let either the accessory tank graphics or orange frame convince you that this is anything other than a Can-Am 250. Who says old bikes can’t be things of beauty even when sitting still?!

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