Motorcycle swap meet draws Mich. bike enthusiasts to Lansing

Lansing — Area bikers had reason to celebrate Sunday.

The Giant Motorcycle Swap Meet took a stop at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing, to offer everything one could ever imagine needing for a bike.

The swap gave vendors from around the U.S. the opportunity to feature their products and services to the local biking crowd, and for many it has become something of a tradition to look forward to.

“It’s probably my fifth year of being here,” said Tim Collier, president of the Jackson chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

The meet offered attendees a wide array of options for browsing, buying and swapping. From bikes made for kids to customized coffins to novelty clothing and, of course, all the leather a person could ever want.

While much of the front of the showroom was focused on clothing and jewelry, there was still one thing on the minds of die-hard bike fans.

“Generally, they’re looking for a deal,” vendor Paul Berg said.

“They can buy a tire that came off somebody else’s bike that’s used and you know it will cost them double that at a dealership, where they can buy the same thing for half-price here.”

Used and new bike parts are the real draws for most of those that come with the intention of getting down to some serious biking business.

Although the poor economy has put a damper on the annual event’s size, it has not affected the feel of the event itself.

“So far it looks a little slow,” Berg said. “Probably (because of) the economy. But you meet a lot of nice people and generally they are good people to deal with.”

It’s not just experienced riders who attend the event.

The Alpha Training Center, or ATC, located at 2200 S. Washington Ave., in Lansing, had a booth at the event. ATC makes facilities available for those who are looking to begin their life in the fast lane and want to do it the safe way.

“We get some people through here who are actually new to the sport and they want to learn how to ride,” ATC co-owner and operator Amy Kraus said.

“We do get some people through who say, ‘You can’t teach me anything,’ and yes, they are probably right because they are not the ones who are going to be open to see what they can learn.”

Though many of the attendees are interested in seeing the new models, products and bike accessories, the real draw for most of the vendors and guests seemed to be consistent throughout the crowd.

“I just like hanging out with the bikers,” Collier said. “If anything, bikers are just a big family. It’s cool to just get out and talk to them.”