5 Highlights from Toronto’s Motorcycle Supershow

This past weekend, Toronto’s International Centre played host to thousands of bikes and bikers. If you didn't make it to North America’s largest motorcycle show, here are five highlights that kept people talking.

AWOL: 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 and Ducati Scrambler

Oddly enough, one of the most noteworthy things about the Motorcycle Supershow was the absence of a few bikes. At the Kawasaki booth, there was a lovely patch of red carpet where the new H2 should have been. This wouldn't have been so disappointing, except for that every attendee was handed an event program with the H2 plastered across the cover. And across half of the inside pages, for that matter. Ouch.

Likewise, the Ducati Scrambler was a conspicuous no-show. While nobody promised one of these, its absence was as glaringly obvious as the H2s. Ducati’s hipster machine has already been crowned the pin-up princess of 2015. All she had to do was show up to her Canadian homecoming and accept the adoring fanfare. Instead, hordes of riders noticed a scrambler-sized hole in Ducati’s lineup.

When it came to the missing H2 and Scrambler, dealer reps gave identical defenses: “definitely in February.” And by this, they meant that 2015’s hottest new models would make their Canadian debut at the seven PSS trade shows (Moncton, Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver). It was a curt and disappointing response – and one that they were stuck repeating for three consecutive days.

Of course, the Supershow is a consumer event rather than a trade show . That means it isn't Ducati that shows up, but rather the local Ducati dealership. It’s a finicky difference, but it can be all the difference when it comes to seeing new models on display.

The Vincent Black Chopper

Even before the show began, the Vincent Black Chopper was heralded as the belle of the ball. This motorcycle belongs to none other than the show’s producer, Bar Hodgson. Unfair advantage in press coverage? Probably. Does it live up to the hype? Definitely.

1948 Vincent engines are hard to come by. This one can be traced through Argentina, Germany, Switzerland and, most famously, through the hands of American Pickers star Mike Wolfe. The roaring soul of a legendary motorcycle is a rare find and, for our money, the Black Chopper’s custom bodywork does it justice.

1901 Thomas Auto-Bi

It might look like a chunky bicycle, but the crowds knew better. In fact, they knew the Thomas Auto-Bi to be the first widely available motorcycle in America.

This vintage bike was tough to get close to. All day, motorcyclists were jockeying for position around such a pivotal piece of their history.

Everyone was wondering about the century-old, mint condition motorcycle and – in the centre of the mob – a sharp old man was fielding questions. He was quick to discuss his motorcycle, yet cheekily elusive when discussing his methods.

The motor is very rare, as it only saw a brief production run from 1900-02. After some prying, the owner admitted to having found the engine in the original manufacturing city of Buffalo.

Provenance for the other components, however, was discussed in vague terms. At the most, parts were said to come from “a little town called USA.”

This engine sold for $150 in 1901 – over $4100 USD in today’s currency. Patrons could attach the motor to their own bicycle, or buy a motor-bicycle combo for an extra $50.

2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S

For all the kerfuffle surrounding the absent H2, the Vulcan S seemed to get even more attention. Everybody and their grandmother took a turn sitting on this machine, to the point where the new bike actually started to look used.

To be honest, we didn’t really expect the Vulcan S to steal the show. When I saw a crowd around the Kawasaki stand, I presumed that someone had finally punched the rep for failing to bring an H2. Turns out, people just wanted to see the new entry-level cruiser.

Why was the Vulcan S so popular? Maybe it’s that angled, exposed suspension coil. Maybe it’s the Diavel-ishly good-looking front end. And almost certainly, it’s the adjustable Ergo-Fit seating and the affordable price tag. The Vulcan S is a motorcycle that everyone can buy and ride. Apparently, people like that kind of thing.

2015 Polaris Slingshot

According to the government, it’s a motorcycle. According to leather-vested bikers, it’s stupid. And according to one seven-year-old, it’s a “totally awesome orange Batmobile.”

I must have walked by the Slingshot ten times this weekend, and not once did I get an unimpeded view of the thing. The slingshot was under scrutinizing eyes all day, and all of them were searching for the same answers: What’s it for? Can you really call it a motorcycle?

The three-wheeled enigma posed a lot of riddles that the crowd never quite unravelled. We know it’s a pleasure vehicle – the lack of storage space and a roof made that obvious enough. But what kind of pleasure are we finding here? It’s quick, but on the track it suffers from a lack of grip (the sort that comes from missing a fourth wheel, for instance). It’s loud and raw like a motorcycle, but anything with two bucket seats and a steering wheel isn’t really a bike.

At any rate, the Slingshot looks like a lot of fun. And whatever is going on here, it kept people talking all weekend.

If you have photos or stories from the Motorcycle Supershow, we'd love to see and hear them! Use the comments section below, our facebook page , or tweet us @canadasmoto.