The Voice - Student Newspaper

International motorcycle show kicks off in Glendale

By Michelle Tabatabai-Shahab
Reporter, The VOICE

Cycle World's International motorcycle show presented by Toyota Kicked-off a nationwide tour at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Friday, Oct 31.

The indoor and outdoor event takes place every year to offer enthusiasts an all access pass to the motorcycling world with the latest models of street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters, and ATVs.

The indoor exhibit debuted new models of motorcycles by top of the line manufacturers such as Victory, KTM, Buell, Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, Moto Guzzi, Piaggo, Suzuki, Vespa, and Yahmaha.

Ducati and Kawasaki unveiled their new models for the first time in the U.S. on Friday.

Kawasaki released their 2009 models The Vulcan 1700 Voyager and their Ninja ZX-6R.

Ducati revealed the monster 1100 as well as a custom Phoenix Suns Ducati 848 signed by all of the players and a seat fabricated from a basketball skin.

There were exhibits displaying vintage bikes and the history of motorcycles dating as far back as 1885.

Stationed outside were demo rides, where licensed motorcyclists, who brought their own gear, could test drive some of the hottest new motorcycles from 10 top manufactures.

Freestyle motocross entertainers Vince Morgan, James Luis, and Brent Denton for Team Cartel frequently preformed stunts every few hours. Luis was considered the rookie of the clan since this was his first show. Morgan, known as Captain Morgan, preformed mostly Superman and double grab rock solid. Denton was by far the biggest crowd pleaser with his fearless back flipped for the crowd. Team Cartel, owned by El Wood, is based out of Arizona.

When asked if he rides motorcycles outside of motocross Denton explained, "I have a car and I ride my bike [BMX] but I don't ride outside [of motocross].Well I have a Harley but I'm talking about crotch rockets [street bikes]. I hate street bikes, and street bikers for that matter. Well not all street bikers, just their attitude when they ride, it's dangerous. I love Harley's though."