Tomorrow morning at 6 am I will be on my way to Daytona for the 18th edition of Daytona Biketoberfest. And during the 220 miles trip north to my destination I will probably think again of the year 1992, the 1st edition to which I participated. As the event objectives were, every following year we boosted tourism, brought new money to the city coffers and merchants, made it a shorter Daytona Bike Week and of course also made good business showing and selling our ware, bikes and shop tees.
Biketoberfest became the most profitable event for most of us. Less people than during Bike Week, but with a higher proportion of very serious buyers just before the winter custom building season. Beach Street was the main hub of traffic because the custom scene elite was based there on both sides of “Custom Alley”. The crescendo of activity must have been reached in 2003 or 2004. Then, slowly and then abruptly our US economy began to tread water. Nostalgia of the time when Daytona traffic was our only Biketoberfest concern to ride our bikes from photo shoots to bike shows to evening professional events and to late night parties…and back at the displays in the morning where being 1 hour late was a lot of lost new business…Times are changing. No they have already changed. My daily contacts with many industry players seem to confirm that the fall is slowing down, like an immense parachute has been opened above us with a new ground in sight. I hear about business picking up for some of us. It is also true for me, especially with orders coming from Europe… I don’t expect to observe any euphoria when I arrive in Daytona, but I will track any sign of recovery by spending time with all my friends of the industry. As much as I can, if I am not being betrayed by the Wi-Fi God, I will report “live” on what I hear and see. TTYT (talk to you tomorrow).
Cyril,
Leaving at 6am ….. dude … that is before noon ….. I don’t do 6am if it can be helped …. 9am is much better …. 9 am gives traffic a chance to die down don’t you know.
Have fun in Daytona!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Yeah… we usually do 8:30 or so, so I must agree when doing a roady. You know, some coffee, check the email, maybe a bite or 2, drop the kids off at the pool afterward, clean up, pack the bike and ride out.
Headed south Friday morning to Ocala to see the Art of the Chopper exhibit. Nice smooth ride stopping at a fish camp or 2 for a beer and a bite, then a nice cool ride through the Ocala National Forest before the sun gets up good.
Boss Hawg
Safe trip to you Cyril, hope to see you there.
Cheers!
John E Adams
Safe riding Cyril… Looks like great weather too.
I will be leaving shortly. Will be by Willies Tattoo for the bike show and then the Broken Spoke later in the evening.
SEE YA!!!
Have fun Cyril, do some digging around the Harley peeps-just heard they’re selling off MV Augusta and giving up on Buell.
Cyrill, I know If anybody can’t go to Biketoberfest, due to Financial reasons or whether it’s just bad timing.. If We really want to hear what’s up or want to see what’s new, REST EASY Cyril will be there ! My money is on His opinion and views of this Buisness more then any of the Ego maniacs, World Famous Builders, Local Movie Star, TV Builders or ROCKIN’ ROLIN’ Fabricators ! Cyril I know you got us all covered with your Straight Shooting Reporting . One time I heard of an amazing burst of News that I knew would devestate many People, and when it happened, one of the reliable sources who was there told me within 60 minutes of the event. I immediately sent an email to Cyril, and He very humbly notified me that he just finished writing the Story ! Since that day He has and is known as “THE TMZ” of the Motor Cycle Industry. Can I get Paid already, Cyril ?