My Take on the 2013 Toronto Motorcycle Supershow

So what's the Toronto Motorcycle Supershow all about? Hundreds of vendors and thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts gather at the International Centre near the airport to sell and buy motorcycle gear (eg. jackets, helmets, gloves, boots, etc.), accessories, new and used motorcycles, motorcycle insurance, etc. There are also booths for motorcycle clubs and charities, featured racers, custom bikes, fashion shows, live bands, models, awards and interviews on the main stage, etc. etc. And sausages. All this stuff takes up a huge amount of space -- 5 halls which adds up to 10 acres of floor space! And it's still jam packed to the brim with wall-to-wall people! The parking situation is a nightmare too. The enormous parking lot always fills up by 11am with new arrivals having to park a kilometre or more away. That's a cold, long walk in the dead of winter.

There are many booths for clubs and charities such as WROAR (Women Ride
Out Against Rape). WROAR is an annual ride that raises money for the
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape. I've
provided some photography services for them for the past few years.
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There's lots of custom bikes on display at the show. Since most of the patrons
are men, having a pretty lady at your booth doesn't hurt traffic. I admit it, I'm a sucker!
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This is Brittany. Head over to her facebook page and "Like" her. She's super nice too!
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(More after the jump)

Even though I hate crowds, I love this show. And so do scores of others (at $20 a ticket, the organizers must be making a mint). It has a reputation for great deals on motorcycle gear and accessories. Also it's perfectly timed, about a month into PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome). Friends make plans to meetup with fellow riders to get their motorcycle fix and reminisce about two-wheeled adventures from last season, talk about plans for the upcoming season, and go shopping together. "Do these chaps make my butt look big?"

Loved this ratty looking bike by ResurrecXion Cycles.
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Amazing airbrush work on this custom bike.
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The Zero electric Police bike at the 2Ride motorcycle magazine booth. The siren is L-O-U-D !
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One of my favourite memories from this show was the first year I went. My wife and I needed help with some helmets so we asked one of the staff at the booth. He said he didn't work there and had a bit of smirk on his face. He was wearing a short sleeve dress shirt with lots of logos on it so I asked him if he was famous. "Sorta" he replied and smiled. Later on we found out it was national superbike racer Frank Trombino!

These ladies are models for the Terez Leather fashion show. I ran into them
and the firemen and asked to take their pic. Nothing like being at the right
time at the right place with my camera.
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There are many featured guests including model Alisha Lynn who is
signing my calendar. You can also follow her on twitter and instagram.
She also rides a Honda CBR600RR which makes her even hotter in my books.
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This year I arrived at the show at 11am and left at 7:00pm and I still didn't have time to see everything! And I only had 2 things on my shopping list. As I walked very slowly through the crowds (it's like swimming against the current), I would run into friends and stay and chat for 5, 10 or 30 minutes. Then I'd continue on for a few more minutes and stop to take photos, and then I'd repeat the cycle again. Before I knew it it was 6:30pm and I still didn't have a helmet.

Natalie on the catwalk for Terez Leather.
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Jodi Christie (2x and reigning Canadian National Pro Sportbike champion) and AMA Racer Ben Young.
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Racer, Photographer and friend, Karolina Pelc.
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Well, Saturday went by in a flash but at least I got to sit on some motorcycles and talk bike with my riding friends. I guess I'll plan some motorcycle movie nights and invite some friends over.

See the rest of my pics from the 2013 Toronto Motorcycle Supershow here.