The Toronto International Spring Motorcycle Show is always well attended, well organized, and successfully executed in every detail. However, everyone's expectations have been lowered over the last couple of years since persistent economic pressure has dampened the atmosphere for both buyers and sellers of motorcycle related products and services. So if this show is an indicator, it would be safe to say the recession can be relegated to the past.

The crowds never let up. People of all ages, all experience levels, from all over the province of Ontario and beyond, converged on the International Centre. Many people rode in since, apart from a brief and intense rain shower on Sunday, the weather was clearly classifiable as spring weather. Most importantly, there was absolutely no reason to be disappointed for all show attendees regardless of their specific focus in coming to the show.

Rider Training Institute, Humber College, and Learning Curves were all at their booths to field questions from aspiring new riders. The waiting is over and the courses are running full tilt, so there was an air of contagious excitement among all of the instructors who were there.

The hard working, hard riding folks at Classy Chassis were run off their feet taking care of the mad rush of showgoers checking out the impressive lineup of Harley Davidsons for sale for excellent prices.

Suzuki of Newmarket had a great display of the latest and greatest models offered up by Suzuki. GP Bikes and Kahuna Cycle were both in attendance and totally inundated with riders who were totally impressed with the hardware on display. Deals were being made, motorcycles were finding homes, and smiles were spreading on the faces of both seller and buyer... but the happiest of that equation was always the person who was going to end up riding the bike.

As always, the good people from Motorcycle Mojo Magazine were chatting up all visitors to their booth, setting up the odd subscription, and just generally having a good time.

The sheer volume of leather jackets, gloves, boots, as well as tshirts and every conceivable type and style of apparel was overwhelming. Freak N Leather was mobbed by eager shoppers, for example. The deals were unbelievable at all of the vendor booths. The rows of apparel simply went on and on and on, and people were definitely in the mood to snap up the bargains.

Vendors like Radioworld had jawdropping deals on Garmin GPS units, Scala intercom systems, and lots more including all of the pieces that go with this technology. It's getting less expensive to fit out your motorcycle with the latest and greatest wired-in toys, and with the guidance of these folks you can have a pretty formidable system set up at a surprisingly affordable price.

The generosity and charitable nature of motorcycle riders is always evident at these shows. Once again, representatives from the BAD Ride gave their time to meet and greet other riders and promote the cause of Toronto's Distress Centres. Stan and Karen Letofsky, two of the most instrumental promoters of this ride, even spent their wedding anniversary manning the booth on Sunday, so from all of us we wish a heartfelt "Happy Anniversary" to this awesome couple.

And right near the stage, where the live rock and roll fed the party atmosphere, the Ride for Progeria booth manned by Amanda Lynn and Craig and some of their great supporters was also busily signing up riders for what promises to be an extraordinarily entertaining day for another great cause.

Riders Plus Insurance was, of course, stationed right at the entrance to Hall 6, a perfect spot to meet and greet both existing clients and clients-in-waiting. The excitement and energy of being in the midst of so many like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts makes for an intensely memorable weekend.