Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Italian Motorcycles at the Concours d'Elegance

This past weekend, one of the most important car shows in the world, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance was held on the golf course at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island.  I have now attended every one except the first and my son Sam has come with me on all except one when he was graduating from Florida State and had too much work to complete.

We did as we have done over the past five or so years and rode up, Sam on my Honda and me on Razzo, as I needed the top case for storing our gear.

The show was special, as it always is, but this year one great feature was the motorcycle exhibit.  This time it had small Italian bikes.  There were the usual Ducatis, but also some other lines, including Maserati.

It looked like many were 50cc with the largest not more than maybe 300cc. I am always inclined to prefer the smallest, but I enjoyed seeing them all.  Here is a sampling of the bikes and their details.



Sam checking out the details.












One of my favorites.  It can't weigh more than 100 lbs.

Air pump.  Just in case.




6 comments:

  1. People refer to our GTSs as mopeds, now those are mopeds. I've seen beefier bicycle tires.

    The displacement inflation since I was a teen is mind boggling. 650s used to be badass beasts. Now they're billed as good starter bikes or girls's bikes.

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    1. Yes, displacement has gotten out of hand. I, and many others, can ride across the country on 200cc scooters, many as small as 100cc. The cruiser and touring bike riders think that they need at least 1000cc to ride to buy a loaf of bread at the corner market.

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  2. I see those old red Italian bikes at the Barber Museum and I think back to my childhood and the working men who rode to work on them, leaned them up against a tree and valued them only as much as they couldn't afford a car.

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    1. I appreciate their simplicity. And beauty that comes from that. These were all beautiful, in great condition and contributed greatly to the show.

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  3. Some really beautiful machines there. Love the styling. Sounds like a good time.

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    1. They were all very cool. Amelia is a great show. It has all kinds of cars and bikes, but Sam and I gravitate to the race cars, 50's and 60's European sports cars and bikes.

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