So I swung down to the Texas Motor Speedway to check out the new format of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show, which has officially been dubbed IMS Outdoors.
Decent for a new format that’s in its first year, but overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed. Aside from the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder bikes on display, there wasn’t much that grabbed my attention. I hope the show matures, grows, and comes into its own in subsequent years, but there’s also part of me that suspects that consumer shows like this are dying out. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the last year of the show.
Based on how the parking lot looked, attendance was reasonably high, nonetheless, so perhaps my cynicism is unfounded.
2023 Update
Well, I guess I called this one. Progressive cancelled the 2022-2023 show (after initially scaling it back), with no plans for it to return in 2023-2024 or beyond. We’ll see what the future holds for consumer shows like this. I’ve been observing the decline of shows like IMS for years now, and will be doing a deeper dive into the reasons why.
Nonetheless, enjoy the gallery and video, as it may be the last one we ever get.
