I’ve always wanted to type out the words, “Once more unto the breach,” and have some sort of context for it. The phrase is a fine example of overt drama, hence why I enjoy using it when doing things that are decidedly not serious. That brings us to the here and now.
Every time we start thumbing through Amazon listings for a kitschy new calendar, it signals that the new model year is closing upon us. We sit at the precipice of that momentous event, what with EICMA just around the corner and the new year two months away.
For those that don’t keep their fingers firmly planted on the industry’s pulse, the ECIMA show, up until recently, was the stage where all fresh-faced motorcycles would strut their stuff to an adoring public—quite fitting for the affair held in Milan, Italy. It’s still quite popular, even with a couple of manufacturers shying away from tradeshow grandeur as of late.
According to my laptop, it is still very much 2023, though we are already seeing 2024 model reviews populate things, and that’s a bigger indicator of a pending launch season. That, of course, is what we’ll be discussing today.
Thanks to the marvels of modern technology, I can type words on a computer while traveling at roughly 38,000 feet in the air. I’ll also email said story once done and then proceed to send cat-related gifs to close friends and confidants, as that is the pinnacle of internet-related activities. A flight attendant also gave the row I’m seated in extra cookies, which is the best thing to happen yet.
Image by Freepik.
Once again, I’ve jumped into an economy seat destined for a location much farther than our usual skips over the pond. This time around, I head to India in hot pursuit of a model that is currently sworn to secrecy until the end of the month.
Coded letters are being passed at this very moment; mums the word, gals and gents—it’s all quite mysterious (most of that is what many would describe as “lies” because simply saying that it’s under embargo is boring).
After the embargo expires, you’ll learn all about it because we’ll undoubtedly be here to bring you tasty First Looks and reviews. A wise man once told me that Halloween candy goes on sale on November 1, so grab a handful of whatever fast-track to diabetes you like and saddle up.
As it’s October and students have already settled into their rhythms and finding new and exciting ways to avoid homework, I can’t help but have some of those feelings. Every new school year is a new chapter in our development, and like any astute young mind will tell you, it’s ripe with opportunity! In truth, I probably spent an equal amount of time trying to get out of middle school and high school to go ride BMX bikes than actually being a productive member of the student body. Still, there is a similar emotional response to launch season.
This year is starting with some ADV-heavy offerings from more than a few brands, and we’ll have those stories soon. A handful of sport models are upon us, too, and what I’d argue is 2024’s biggest unknown is Triumph’s forthcoming motocross and enduro models. Any time a brand dives into a category’s deep end without much history, it is going to cause and stir, and my curiosity is thoroughly piqued. Is it the Year Of The Knobbed Tire? Perhaps, and I have made good on my promise to get a little more dirt under my fingernails with respect to my riding. That’s coming from someone who can’t commit to most things, let alone resolutions.
What I can say with certainty is that the calendar is starting to populate, and it’s always interesting to see what will make the next issue of Ultimate Motorcycling. Normally, you might be thinking, “Hey! This theme is something that all of you editors pull out in December!” And you’d probably be right. Admittedly, this might be jumping the gun. Then again, how often do we go to India? Not often. In fact, we more often visit the scenic waterfront beach town of Bakersfield, California. [Senior Editor’s note: Bakersfield is neither scenic nor located near any body of water. In addition, there is not a field of bakers, either, and if there is anything to be up-in-arms about, it’s that cold reality.]
Let’s refocus for a moment. The calendar year is coming to a close, and our season is about to begin. It’s shaping up to be a good one, so let’s hope you kick back and enjoy the coming show because it’s once more unto the breach, dear friends.
