The Quail Motorcycle event, 2010

[macfly]

Last weekend was the second Quail Motorcycle event. For those of you unfamiliar with the Quail's other motorcar event held in the summer during the Monterey Classic Car Week, it is simply the best event of the week, and the $400 tickets are very limited, and extremely sought after, often changing hands for upward of $2,000! The tickets to the bike event are just $65, but there are no booths for private jet sales, or free oysters, all you can eat! However, despite the humbler ticket price and food fare, the event was still simply wonderful! They had one of the most interesting selections of machines you could see anywhere, outside of the Barber Museum, displayed on the lawn.

This first set of shots gives you the flavor of the event, there were some simply stunning bikes there, including a pair of beautiful Laverdas. I raced around the UK on several of them back in my youth, and have a huge soft spot for the big triples. Other random highlights were Jay Leno's Jet Bike, and the history of Craig Vetter's company, with his glorious Triumph Hurricane. Kenny Roberts TZ750 flat tracker was there too, and boy what a noise it makes!

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[macfly]

There were several simply delicious BMW's on display, and the China Blue one in the top photo was the winner of the award for best bike.

[macfly]

The Vincent was the ultimate legend of my youth. God rides is a Vincent, and I still haven't. I tried very hard to get my Dad, who had a considerable bike collection, to buy one back in the eighties, but he baulked when the bidding hit £1,000. None of the ones in these pictures is valued under $100,000. It's not often you get to say "Told you so!" to your Dad. Ahhh well, hindsight is always 20/20 as they say!

[macfly]

If you haven't yet come across Falcon I'm sure you will soon. Ian Berry, who is the teams principal designer and builder, is without a doubt the most tasteful creator of custom motorcycles ever. He chose the Quail to showcase as the world premiere of his second bike, the Kestrel, with a Triumph motor. http://www.falconmotorcycles.com

[macfly]

I do hope this event picks up momentum, the tents should be fill of vendors, and the there should be far more bike enthusiasts out enjoying the stunning weather in the area in mid May. It is perfectly timed to make for the perfect ride in from anywhere in CA or even AZ, not too hot, not too cold, and before the summer fogs blanket the coast.

Last but not least, my award for bike I'd like to have taken home to put in the living room and sit and stare at every day goes to....

[macfly]

Ducati, yes they were there, in fact they really owned the event. They were the only manufacturer who bothered to turn up, and by far and away the tastiest, most rideable and fun looking sportsbikes were all theirs. I guess they really have claimed the Ferrari spot in the two wheeled world, and they used the event to launch the rather ugly and uncomfy (to me) Multistrada.

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[bingbong]

Fantastic pics. Thanks for posting those up. Looks like a really nice day out too.