Karl on Cars - Legend of the Motorcycle: Pebble Beach without Posers

Legend of the Motorcycle: Pebble Beach without Posers

Every authentic automotive enthusiast has at least heard of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and/or Monterey Historics that happen each year in mid-August on the Monterey Peninsula. But if you've been following (and/or attending) those events for any length of time you know it's gotten a bit too big for its britches. What started as a pure car-guy weekend has, largely, become another corporate tool. For example, it's no longer the Monterey Historic Race event that it started out as in 1974, it's the ROLEX Monterey Historic Races presented by TOYOTA. And it doesn't just happen at Laguna Seca raceway, it happens at MAZDA RACEWAY, Laguna Seca.

The Pebble Beach Concours hasn't officially sold its name or location to a corporate entity since its 1950 genesis, but during the long weekend leading up to the Sunday car show just about every automotive-related company tries to get in on the action with sponsored events, vehicle introductions and general corporate posturing. If you can fight your way through the traffic, crowds and paid signage (much of it made up of clearly non car folks or subject matter) you might catch a glimpse of some of the best vehicles on the planet, both racing at LAGUNA SECA and displaying on the 18th green of the Pebble Beach golf course.

Which -- finally -- leads me to the Legend of the Motocycle Show that takes place on the first Saturday of May at Half Moon Bay. This past weekend the show held its 3rd annual event, and I attended for the first time. Much like (I imagine) the third Pebble Beach Concours or Monterey Historics felt, this show has a purity that separates the posers from the players. While the occasional over-coiffed attendee made an apperance, the bulk of the assembled masses, whether showing a motorcycle or enjoying the motorcycle show, was clearly a true two-wheeled enthusiast.

The weather remained cool and blustery, which for a classic British bike fan like myself only added to the atmosphere. Telling myself I was on the Isle of Man, not the Central California cost, was easy on the 40-degree golf course framed in gray-skies and crashing waves. Hearing the various BSAs, Ducatis, MV Agustas, Nortons and Triumphs fire up for the show judges only enhanced the illusion. Seeing Giacomo Agostini and Alan deCadenet among those walking the rows of bikes didn't hurt, either.

Beyond the motorcycle show there's an auction, a "Ride of Legends" from Los Angeles to Half Moon Bay before the show, and a 44-mile "Tour of Legends" for all show entrants after the show. Yes, the sponsorship parade has already taken hold, with Dainese, Land Rover and Meguiar's among the 20-plus corporate entities circling the festivities. But they haven't diluted the genuine enthusiast atmosphere -- yet.

If you're a fan of vintage motorcycles and want to experience the passion without the pandering often associatged with such gatherings I would suggest you attend next year's Legend of the Motocycle show -- while the enthusiasts are still in charge. Perhaps the subject matter will keep this event real indefinitely. We're not talking million-dollar Bentleys or Bugattis here, so one can only hope.

But you never know...

Posted by Karl May 5, 2008 6:00 am

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Categories: Auto Shows | Motorcycles

Comments

karjunkie - May 5, 2008 6:33 am (#1 Total: 4)

Pictures of Nortons and Triumphs, but no BSAs? For shame Karl! My Thunderbolt is crying oil on the garage floor! Seriously though, it looks like an awesome event and venue for you lucky west coasters!

syke - May 5, 2008 7:05 am (#2 Total: 4)

United States of America

Some beautiful motorcycles there. I have to chuckle, though, that you've got the same Brit restoration disease we have on the east coast - the old, classic, "If they'd been built that well when they were new, Honda will still only be making 50cc step-throughs" affliction.

Any idea of how many of those bikes were actually driven on to the field, as opposed to either pushed, or trailered to within three feet of their exhibit space?

Don't want to sound too cynical, but after a lot of years attending the Germantown (MD) show, Triumph Come Home (PA) and helping put on the Leesburg (formerly Richmond) fall show, I'm still used to seeing most of the bikes in a class either original or obviously a well done job in the owner's own garage. Unfortunately the 'clean exhaust pipe (inside)' crowd is growing.

jthoag - May 6, 2008 6:24 pm (#3 Total: 4)

Good piece and thanks for confirming my thoughts
I attended for first time as well

From my Blog (looneydunes.blogspot.com)

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Cars : epitome of car collector/show entrant might be Ralph Lauren. While I've never met Ralph, and likely never will, I don't picture him on a motorcycle.
Cars are fashion, sometimes high fashion, beautiful but as rolling art.

Sometimes the folks who focus on cars are pretentious and posers (not all, but enough)

Motorcycles are kinetic, they are all about motion, action.
You may drive a car, you RIDE a motorcycle.
You can talk on a cellphone, eat, read, fiddle with the radio, even do your makeup while driving, not with a motorcycle.

Motorcycles are tactile, you feel the traction (or lack of), the throttle and brake, you use all of your limbs, and often your weight (shifting to the inside of turns, hanging off the inside).
Cars you steer and use throttle & brake but your butt stays put.

I guess the biggest difference is in the crowds at these shows.
Motorcyclists are passionate and rarely poseurs.
Poseurs soon fall down.
Riders with gray hair may well have fallen down, but they climb back on.

Which brings me to the true dividing line.
Motorcycles are dangerous, you can get hurt.
With cars, you can get hurt, but often as not, you don't.
With cars, you screw up, you bend it, with motorcycles, you screw up, likely you get bent.

Cars are fun, motorcycles are serious

Motorcyclists don't need to declare their passion, it just is.
The crowd at "Legend" was quiet and mutually respectful.
Those of us with some salt & pepper up top know that we all love the same things.

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As for the comment on runners, I can't speak for all of them, but many were runners, and most class winners were ridden to the podium

"Don't hide it... Ride It" was a great t-shirt

technetium99 - May 8, 2008 5:52 am (#4 Total: 4)

Nice bikes in the pics Karl, but next time get us pics of Vincents and Velocettes. : )