Men's Journal

Ring in the new year with the latest and greatest road hogs at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Michigan, or enter the cold fray of Wisconsin’s Ice Wars on your snowmobile.

By Diane Kahng

Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows, Jan 1-3
Novi, MI

Whether you’re a longtime motorcycle enthusiast or Santa gave you your very first ride just last week, you’ll want to check out the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show this weekend in Novi, Michigan. Making a 12 city tour, the show will feature hundreds of the latest street and dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters, and ATVs, including the new 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Street Supersport, 2010 Ducati Hypermotard, 2010 Star Raider, 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo, 2010 Honda VRF1200F, and a slew of the newest fuel-efficient models .

You’ll find special deals and discounts on shiny new rides, accessories, and clothing. Head over to the Free Gear Check to learn more about specifics, or hang out at the Hub to ask about advanced riding techiques.

After touring the collection of vintage bikes at the History of Motorcycles exhibit, seek out some entertainment at either the Bikes & Beats presented by TapouT or the 2Wheel Tuner Model Search Presented by LeoVince. Models will be vying for a feature story with 2Wheel Turner Magazine. UFC fighter Kendall Grove will be on hand for autographs, while fans watch previous fights and clips on the big screen. Tickets start at $12, or check out other multi-day deals.

Travel and Accommodations
Jet into Detroit Metro Airport and make the 20-mile drive to Novi. Check out nearby hotels and a list of other attractions in the area.

Ice Wars, Jan 1-3
Portage County, WI
If you have an insatiable passion for winter sport, try entering into the USSA sanctioned Ice Wars in Portage County, Wisconsin for some snowmobile racing. Sign up for a class specific to your experience level and age, then get ready to make deep cuts into the 18 inch thick ice tracks. Extensive background in snowmobiling isn’t necessary, and chances are if you’ve grown up in Wisconsin, you already have all the experience you need. Speeds will vary depending on your sled model, but expect to make corners of 75-80 miles an hour. Champs often hit 105 miles on the straightaway.

As a competitor, there are big name brands to choose among for your sled: Bombardier, Polaris, Arctic Cat, and Yamaha. Vintage sleds that have been resorted (boosting their speeds from 30mph to 80mph) are also available if you prefer a throw-back. Or, if you’re a seasoned champion traveling from as far away as Alaska, Canada, or New York, feel free to bring your own ride. Even after the races, there are thousands of miles of trail leading all the way into Michigan that are ideal for cruising.

Travel and Accommodation
Check into one of these hotels that offer an Ice Wars room rate of $85, plus a free beer. There’s always the option to fly into a nearby airport, or, as previously mentioned, you can always snowmobile from Michigan.