Itinerary: Cruising or Just Looking
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, motorcycles are a way of life in Southern California, where beautiful weather, harrowing mountain roads and nonstop traffic make two-wheeled transportation appealing.
Get used to it: Sales have been rising. The number of people buying the low-slung chrome-heavy cruisers has more than doubled since 1992. At the same time, fancy sports bikes like the Italian Ducati models have become the high-end toy to have.
This weekend, spend some time with your biker brethren, whether you ride, race, cruise or just admire a well-designed machine.
Friday Afternoon
For a good primer, start with a trip to the Petersen Automotive Museum (6060 Wilshire Blvd., [213] 930-CARS. Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), where the Otis Chandler Motorcycle Gallery features 20 classic motorcycles. Take a close look at the 1907 Indian, which had one of the first V-twin, or two-cylinder, engines Indian produced. A 1947 Jordan, also on display, was designed by LeGrand Jordan, one of the first California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers. He developed the Jordan Twin Crank Four himself to overcome shortcomings of the motorcycles rode on the job--but no manufacturers ever showed interest in his complex prototype.
If those whet your appetite, find a seat at a sidewalk cafe in the Sunset Plaza area of the Strip and watch for some of the most customized, polished and generally tricked-out cruisers.
Saturday
Then, on to the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show at the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E. Ocean Blvd.; Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $8; $4, kids 6 through 11; kids 5 and under, free. [562] 436-3661). One of the largest consumer motorcycle shows in the U.S., this is the place to see what the manufacturers will roll out next year.
One highly anticipated entry is the new Harley-Davidson Twin-Cam 88, which has the largest motorcycle engine H-D has ever built. At 88 cubic inches, it’s larger than the engines of some cars. Victory Motorcycles, a new American entry into the market, will be showing off its first models. Also, the new Suzuki GSXR 1300 will be there, a race bike that will go 195 mph stock.
Licensed bikers--who bring their riding gear--can take a test spin on the 1999 BMWs and Harley-Davidsons in a parking lot outside the convention hall. Or, for those who prefer to watch, the Team Extreme Trials Showcase will have world champion motorcyclists face a gnarly obstacle course that includes vertical faces more than 9 feet high.
Sunday
Motorcycle hangouts dot Southern California, especially along the coast and winding mountain roads. Check one out on Sunday and you’ll find not only a wide array of motorcycles but perhaps some of their celebrity riders--from Jay Leno to Lyle Lovett.
Neptune’s Net (42505 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, [310] 457-3095) is a mostly Harley hangout known for its no-frills ambience, view of Leo Carrillo State Beach and great seafood. Newcomb’s Ranch (on the Angeles Crest Highway 27 miles north of La Canada Flintridge, [626] 440-1001) caters to more of a canyon-racing sport bike crowd, though some cruisers sneak in. Be careful if you’re in a car; bikes are zipping everywhere.
Out in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Rock Store (30354 Mulholland Highway, [818] 889-1311) has the best of both worlds and some good barbecue to boot. Closer in to town, Johnny Rockets (7507 Melrose Ave., [323] 651-3361) in Hollywood is another spot where bikers like to park their custom Harleys on Sundays.
