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Intermot - A Colorful Celebration
Text and photos by Paul and Voni Glaves #13338 and #13337 |
January 10, 2007
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A record 187,000 motorcycle enthusiasts made Intermot 2006 in Cologne, Germany the largest ever for the biennial European motorcycle and scooter trade show. Koelnmesse, the 11 building venue for Intermot was a whirl of activity from the opening press day on October 10th to the final exhibition day on the 15th. Visitor attendance, a twenty percent increase over previous figures, included not only motorcycle and scooter trade people from around the world, but also motorcyclists and the general public eager to see the newest offerings.
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North America should expect a new wave of imports from Asia.
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Foretelling an expected wave of new brands likely to be imported from China, Korea, and Taiwan, there were fully 100 or more exhibits by new Asian motorcycle and parts manufacturers. As might be expected many of the companies exhibited small displacement "tiddler" bikes and scooters. Several of the manufacturers displayed larger displacement motorcycles clearly sized for the European and North American markets. As these products continue to be developed and refined we should expect a significant change in the marketplace not unlike the wave of new Japanese motorcycles in the '60s and '70s. It is impossible to tell how good a motorcycle might be while walking down an aisle at a trade show, but on some the exterior fit and finish on many of the models was certainly very good.
As if new models and innovations weren't enough to draw the curious, a plethora of supporting programs kept them coming back. Foreign visitors came from more than 120 countries, representing 37 percent of total attendees. Seventy percent of the 1,130 exhibitors came from outside Germany, chiefly from Italy, Taiwan, Spain, China and France. Many U.S. companies were lined up in the United States exhibition area as well.
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The Race around the Cathedral was actually on the Koelnmesse site
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The Intermot supporting programs were varied and well attended. Outdoors, several areas were set up as tryout areas for trials bikes, touring bikes and for dual sport bikes. All it took was a motorcyclist's license and riding gear to be allowed to ride. There were even areas set up for those new-to-the-sport to try small bikes in a large innertube arena. There was a "kid's biker paradise" and a Ride Now instructional course. A small racetrack provided space for short and long races and there was even a dragstrip.
One area was set up with cones as a course for visitors to demonstrate their slow speed control skills with the winner taking home a new BMW F800S. The finals of the German SuperMoto Championship were showcased in a program called the "Night of the Jumps." Other sites showcased the deringdo of stunt riders such as world open class stunt champion Chris Pfeiffer riding his BMW F800.
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Stunt rider Chris Pfeiffer was always a crowd pleaser
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Inside Koelnmesse the "Walk of Fashion" showed the latest riding clothes from manufacturers from around the world. Additional areas were devoted to a motorcycle design competition, a photographic contest, displays of touring motorcycles, quads, and classic bikes. A special place was set aside for young and new riders to gather. Racers, musicians, and adventurers like Long Way Round's Charlie Boorman drew eager fans to interview and autograph sessions. A racing pit stop speed display promised twenty second changes of tires and gas fills. The Cologne Custom Competition Cup had visitors voting for their favorite custom bike. The custom R11S was a real crowd pleaser. A model workshop had shade tree mechanics and experts alike scheming how to equip a dream garage. The Globe of Speed, a six meter diameter steel ball awed the crowd especially when six volunteers stood inside as two bikes raced around them.
A number of BMW motorcycle aftermarket vendors were present at Cologne. Most of these vendors, such as Wudo, Wunderlich, and Touratech have existing marketing initiatives in North America. These companies offer a broad range of accessories, modifications, and add-ons for BMW motorcycles, old and new. Many independent vendors used a variety of BMW motorcycles at their exhibits to showcase their products. One exhibit which may be of particular interest was at the booth of Silent Hektik Electronics (www.SILENT-HEKTIC.com) where they displayed a fuel injection system to replace the carburetors on BMW Airhead engines.
BMW motorcycles were seen in many other vendors' exhibits
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Silent Hektik had an intriguing innovation for airheads
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Evenings when the show was closed, visitors walked across the Rhine to eat, drink, and shop at a wide variety of businesses in a very pedestrian friendly atmosphere. Cologne is a modern city, but retains in many ways its distinct European charm. Central Cologne is a true multi-modal transportation hub, with river cruise boat traffic, the main railway station, the bus system, cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians all coexisting, but quite highly separated. The trains run on time. Shoppers or diners can walk for blocks while only seeing cars over there, or down there, but not here. Vendors, artists, and performers welcomed the crowds in the plaza.
The pedestrian area on the west bank of the Rhine is lined with small shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes. Famed German beer was readily available in many varieties. With a major trade show in town, and heavy patronage by the local population too, this area was a constant hub of activity in the evenings. We found a large variety of inexpensive German cuisine which suited our tastes just fine.
The Cologne Cathedral is a magnificent landmark in the heart of Cologne. It dominates the skyline by day, and its brightly lit facade gleams all night. On Saturday, October 14, the Cathedral hosted the first ever ecumenical biker worship service. An officially estimated 3,000 riders attended the service and then rode in a parade back to Koelnmesse, led by the green uniformed Polezei riding their green BMW motorcycles.
For complete coverage of Intermot, see the January issue of the BMW Owners News!
The Cologne Cathedral dominates the skyline, even at night
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The Polezei prepare to lead the parade from the Cathedral to Koelnmesse
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