IMS 2014 - Vintage

     I hadn’t seen some of these folks for a year, maybe longer. While you never really forget how great it is just to be with people like the “Greater Los Angeles Area Victory Riders” memories do have a tendency to fade or fog over a bit. The measure of friendship is found in how easy it is to take up where you left off, something time itself has little power over; it’s only those experiences, the trials that test all of us, that change us over those periods of separation that can roughen up the edges of any friendship. A further measure is how adroitly we step through those experiences and get to the heart of our being together. I suppose I was a little more sensitive to this after a late writing session the night before putting some old cruddy experiences into a story. Pretty mushy stuff for bikers but still, we have our soft sides.

     I arrived at the IMS show in Long Beach, CA right about the time I’d wanted to but still later than I should have. The lines for demo registrations were lengthening as I dismounted. Even so, my timing was pretty good because I rolled in and parked next to Vicki’s new Honda Gold Wing F6B, a beautiful bike that suits her well. I joined her and Tim in the line to register for a Can-Am demo ride just to experience something really different but somehow landed up in a later group than they did and I floated over to the Indian demo trailer where I found several of the other Victory riders; Steve, Kevin, Dale, Brad, and Karrie. Brad and Karrie were signed up for the new Indian Scout, easily the most popular ride of the day and they had to wait for a couple of groups to finish before they got their demo while the rest of us got rides in the next group. Steve and Kevin opted for the Roadmaster, a bike roughly equal to their Victory Visions; Dale and I went for the Vintage, a bike on par with our Cross Countries – something to be said for our preference for continuity. Actually, it was a sound way to compare the rides with what we saddled up on every day.

     In addition to the class relationship to my VCC, I like the Vintage because I favor the classic styling and, well, as I said, at my age, I can be considered vintage. This was the first bike that I’ve demoed that I felt would be competitive with the Victory cross bikes if I was in the market for a new bike again. The Vintage was smooth riding, had an intuitive feel to the balance, and at my 6’3” frame it fit me comfortably. The acceleration and cruising are on a par with my Cross Country. Dale reported that the red line is lower on the Indian, something that my conservative riding style wouldn’t uncover. Another thing that I really liked was the keyless ignition; the folks at Indian aren’t afraid that the latest in technology will spoil the classic styles or history of the bike. The one drawback for me is that the combination of the classic tank-mounted instrumentation and my full-face helmet are incompatible as I needed to look down to see what’s going on with the gauges; I’m spoiled by the faring mounted gauges on the cross and being able to glance down with an eye roll and get updated information. I was a little concerned about taking my eyes out of the riding environment to check the gauges. Still, it’s a good thing that I have only room for one bike in my life. Also good? I ride a bike that is nearly perfectly suited to me.

Me and Vintage - Photo credit to Dale Moews

     Kevin, Steve, Dale, and I went from the Indians to the Harleys and then into the convention center to take care of some Sena business before meeting others for lunch over at the Victory area. I’ll cover those on separate posts to keep each one shorter but post them in rapid succession.

     We ended up with twenty or so riders for lunch together. We opted, though I’m still in the dark as to how the option was decide upon, for lunch about a block away from the convention center and further away from the harbor. Somehow Sue kept us on the move without seeming to, an admirable skill; bikers appear to be harder to keep together on foot as opposed to riding on the open road. Jed is a fortunate man. We ended up at the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery and were quickly rewarded with outdoor seating for all us, the strategy of moving away from the convention halls paid off. We enjoyed a relaxed lunch of good food and company which was topped off with a surprise birthday brownie a la mode for Dale. Nicely done Tim!

     Those folks are just plain fun and pleasant to be around. Thanks to all of them for such a great day!

Y’all keep the iron side up.