Being an automotive publication, we typically leave the motorcycle stuff to our sister titles that focus on two wheels, rather than four. This year, for the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours d'Elegance, we made an exception. Since its inception three years ago, the Legend of the Motorcycle has grown into a world-class concours -- the quality, beauty, and atmosphere of which is comparable to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the automotive world.
The event, staged on the picturesque cliffs of Half Moon Bay, California, at the Ritz-Carlton resort (some 70 miles away from Pebble Beach), is a sight to behold. With more than 200 classic and modern bikes on display (and hundreds more in the nearby spectator parking area) there was no shortage of two-wheeled machinery on which to feast one's eyes. The bikes ranged from turn-of-the-century vintage models through the iconic cafe racers of the 1950s and 1960s, and on to modern superbikes and custom creations.
There were even a few celebrity sightings this year, as actors Jason Lee ("My Name Is Earl," "Vanilla Sky") and Giovanni Ribisi ("Saving Private Ryan," "Gone in 60 Seconds") handed out the Elvis Award for the motorcycle they thought most embodied the rock 'n' roll theme. The Elvis winner -- a 1923 Norton 16H -- huffed and puffed its way on stage amidst a thick cloud of exhaust. The Steve McQueen award was presented by his son Chad and went to a 1966 Triumph T120R -- the bike Chad felt best represented his late father. Custom chopper builder and "Monster Garage" host Jesse James was also on hand to show off his latest creation, the West Coast Choppers Airstream.
The esteemed Best in Show crown was awarded to a 1908 Indian Torpedo Tank Racer, a vintage board track racer that once broke a flying mile record in Stockton, California, during its track career. Having never been restored and in thoroughly original condition, the bike showed a good degree of use -- or "patina" in auction speak. The special Indian also won the Preservation Award, Sculptor's Award, and Best in Class for the Competition 1908-1949 category. Clearly its owner, Vince Martinico, has some room to make on his trophy shelf.
Perhaps most surprising about the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours d'Elegance was the amount of crossover interest we witnessed between bikes and cars. Though the show featured only bikes, the spectator parking lot was filled with interesting vehicles ranging from a Citroen 2CV to a Ferrari 308 GTBi, and plenty of car conversation from Fiats to Chevy-powered hot rods could be heard. That left us with the lasting impression that for most car and bike guys, if it's got an engine and wheels, it's interesting. Amen to that.