Looking for the latest, greatest products and bikes in our sport? Well, you’re in luck: 2009 Indianapolis Motorcycle Dealer Expo is less than two weeks away. This annual event takes place over President’s Day weekend, and is where all the big name companies go to showcase their latest bikes, gear, hard parts and everything in between. It truly is the premier trade show for two-wheeled dealers, industry types and all-around fanatics, and is the undisputed hotbed for all things new, cool or just downright wild.
Of course, Dirt Rider will be on hand at Indy ’09 to bring you the inside line on everything new from the show. We’ve got some pretty cool ideas up our sleeves, and some of it may require your help. All we ask is that you stay tuned to www.dirtrider.com and be on the lookout for more updates about this monstrous event and our special ’09 coverage thereof. In the meantime, here are a handful of photos from Indy last year that prove that when the Dealer Expo rolls into town, you never know what to expect!
Dirt Rider publisher Sean Finley (center) is a man of many talents, among them racing quads, making spreadsheets and shaking hands with everyone at Indy. Finley is one of the main movers and shakers at our magazine, and will undoubtedly be one of the busiest staffers we will have at the ’09 Dealer Expo. In this photo, Sean kicks it with Endurocross/ MIniMotoSX founder Eric Peronnard (right) and Lance Bryson (left), frontman for the Texas-based boy band The Bryson Boys.
Ever wish you worked at Dirt Rider magazine? Having a top-notch job in the industry is a dream for most people, but for DR editor Jimmy Lewis it’s all in a day’s work. A typical day in the life of Lewis at Indy involves checking out all the coolest new products, eating and drinking free consumables with old friends and signing autographs for rabid Dakar fans. Unfortunately, Lewis won’t be able to make it to Indy this year, meaning that dozens of lovely umbrella girls will have to find new dudes to get their picture taken with.
Jesse Ziegler: Power Ranger. Aside from his insane Ninja skills, our deadly (yet friendly) Executive Editor is a master at hunting out cool things in places like the Dealer Expo. This photo was taken just as EVS was introducing the new Strata guards, which were one of many products that were the talk of the 2008 show.
Not all of the products at the Indy show are super unique, super cool or in any way super at all. Some of the street-oriented parts and accessories are downright odd, such as the “Big Ear” from the hearing protection company. I can’t imagine why anyone would sell such a product, but then again—I came stock with two of ‘em!
Yes, this really is a photo of a carbon fiber ATK. Rumored to weigh just 216 lbs., this dieted beast was on display at the Dealer Expo to help get people pumped on ATK again. Although we haven’t heard much out of the Utah-based company in the last year, there is no telling what they have in store for us in ’09. Will ATK have a bike made completely out of air? Tune in to www.dirtrider.com in two weeks to find out!
I don’t know what this bike is supposed to be, but it scares me nonetheless. Obviously the idea of a KTM 65 melded on an ATV chassis never caught on, and I think the world is a better place because of it. Given the current state of the economy, it’s hard to say if this little guy will be at Indy in 2009, but if so I’m definitely going to steer clear of it!
What’s a weekend of work without a little playtime? The Dirt Rider editors went head to head with the Ogio crew for Rock Band bragging rights at last year’s Dealer Expo, and we honestly got smoked. I’ve been practicing, though, so a battle of rock may ensue at some point throughout the weekend. If the ceiling explodes off of the top of the trade show, you’ll know why!
GNCC hero David Knight was in attendance at Indy, but he was looking a little sick and didn’t feel much like giving an interview. But that didn’t stop nice-guy Jimmy Lewis from getting his picture taken with Knighter. But why is Jimmy a nice guy? Because somebody dropped a beer can at the Dealer Expo, and Jimmy picked it up to put it in the trash! What a guy…
One of the main attractions at Indy is the fact that several big named pros and industry heroes come out to see the sights and been seen themselves. FMX star and Red Bull athlete Ronnie Renner was at Indy in 2008, but he wasn’t exactly looking (or acting) like his usual quarterpipe-slaying self. And did I just write a caption for this photo using the word attractions? Yuck!
Stay Tuned to www.dirtrider.com for the full story from Indy 2009 as it develops!