Motorcycle show a little more born to be mild, than born to be wild

By Lethbridge Herald on February 14, 2025.

LEAVE IT TO BEEBER – Al Beeber

So what about that Calgary Motorcycle and Powersports Show I wrote about recently?

Two weeks ago this weekend, the crew made our first pilgrimage to the showcase of all things two- and three-wheeled since 2019. After a hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic, the show was revived in 2024 and from the informal discussions I had with sales reps inside the BMO Centre, the 2025 edition had bigger crowds this year with motorcycling interest – among buyers anyway – regaining its momentum.

And even with subzero temperatures and a wonky SUV heater which didn’t deter our motley crew from venturing north, we did check out  the show’s offerings.

But I have to admit we were a bit underwhelmed. The show has definitely downsized since the years before COVID. It seemed there were fewer dealers on hand and less product on hand, in terms of numbers and variety. But statistics show the worldwide market for motorcycles has seen substantial growth in recent years which hopefully bodes well for the show.

The absence of variety in Calgary could be attributed partly to changing tastes of the buying public. The days when Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda competed with Harley-Davidson for a share of the cruiser market have faded into the rearview mirror. While Honda still has its venerable Gold Wing touring bike – which celebrates its 50th year of production in 2025 – the variety of offerings from these manufacturers is definitely smaller.

Harley’s main competition for the crowd who wants a big, heavy touring machine arguably comes from fellow American manufacturer Indian. BMW, with its R18 line and Triumph – with its Rocket 3 – also  can meet the demand for heavy long-distance cruisers with European flairs.

Honda, meanwhile, has its Rebel 1100 with either manual or DCT transmission that can be configured as a smaller displacement bagger, one that is ideal for shorter or older riders who don’t want or can’t handle the weight of a bigger motorcycle.

But those offerings are relatively few compared to the number of multi-purpose adventure bikes being offered, machines with taller seat heights and the ability to hit gravel roads or mountain trails when not speeding down asphalt.

And heritage style bikes with upright riding positions hearkening back to the 1960s and early ‘70s are hugely popular. The most impressive offerings – to these eyes – this year came from Yamaha and Triumph, the latter with a Speed Twin 900 that had me thinking strongly about opening the wallet.

Classically styled, no-frills motorcycles are a reminder of simpler times but now have modern technology including available cruise control on some that will enhance and improve upon their intended usage.

Attracting strong crowds at the show was a dealer selling the three-wheeled Can-Am Spyders and their offshoots, the Canyon – an adventure style machine with higher ground clearance and several riding modes – and the beginner-aimed Ryker with its DCT transmission. These bikes, for the unfamiliar, have two wheels up front and one in the back, unlike a traditional trike.

Three-wheelers are becoming  common sights on roads and highways thanks to their stability which can accommodate riders of all ages and sizes. Of course, Harley-Davidson knew the potential for a three-wheeler long ago with its line of trikes, which as one salesman told me, let people continue to feel the breeze in their faces when they aren’t comfortable on two wheels any longer.

I’ve been often told that motorcycling isn’t safe and nobody creeping up in age should even think about riding. But no means of transportation is completely safe, including bicycling. And that’s not because of the vehicle being driven or ridden, it’s because of other drivers or the operators themselves.

Riding on two wheels or four means paying complete attention to surroundings, making sure it’s safe to merge, pass or change lanes. Driving requires constant attention from everyone or collisions will happen. And in the case of operators of two- and four-wheeled vehicles, it means following the rules of the road. Zipping in and out of traffic is a recipe for disaster no matter what we ride or drive and we see that occurring all the time here and elsewhere. Being conscious of our surroundings is paramount when driving. And wearing shorts on a two-wheeler is a trip to ER waiting to happen.

We experienced first-hand the aftermath of road dangers in Calgary where even on a Sunday traffic was nightmarish. Part of this was due to a collision on southbound Deerfoot early in the morning which resulted in a fatality and that still had traffic being detoured around the strip mall that houses IKEA by early afternoon.

With a friend living at the far south end of Calgary, taking Deerfoot was in theory the quickest route to getting him home from the BMO Centre. But more than an hour later we discovered, that Macleod Trail – accessible within seconds of Stampede Park – would have been quicker.

We don’t always appreciate how good we have it in Lethbridge where we can get anywhere within 15 minutes on most days. Our brief periods of daily congestion are experienced all day and every day by our fellow Albertans to the north where simple tasks like grocery shopping or appointments can take far more time on the road than here. It’s why our crew member who lives there said he and his wife stay in their neighbourhood unless it’s absolutely necessary to leave and that’s often only to visit family or watch grandchildren do sports.

If I lived in Calgary, riding a motorcycle – or even a bigger displacement scooter capable of reaching highway speeds – wouldn’t likely be a consideration but Lethbridge is a different story.  And at some point this year, I could have a column on that. If I can find the ride that fits.

At my age, I’m more born to be mild, than wild, but that doesn’t mean a fella still can’t have a little fun.