Motorcycle Live

[tricol]

Anyone been, or going? I went yesterday, first time at the show. Really good show, all the major manufacturers there, but it was absolutely rammed. I took my GoPro and camera and tried to put something together, but was hard going with the crowds. Threw my leg over the bikes on my shortlist for next year, the new Street Triple, the MT09 and actually, the BMW F900R. The Street Triple is really nice in the flesh, although I'm still disappointed in the dash on the base R model. Definitely left the show feeling a bit hyped up about next years riding. Here's my video from the day:



HD/4K still hasn't processed, so SD only for now.

[Dodgy69]

Think the 8s looks just like summot else. 765 looks nice. Hornet ??? Triumph or mt09 it is then.

[KungFooBob]

I went last year, it was better in the late 90's and early 00's, it was at least twice the size back then. I used to come back with a couple of carriers of free tat and very tired legs.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I went in 2019, but I haven't been since as I can do without mixing with 1000s of people carrying germs I'm not used to, if they had the show in summer I happily go, I'd even ride a bike there.

[mangocrazy]

I must admit there's very little that I'd really want to see this year - the new Guzzi Mandello, the Aprilia stand, some of the KTMs, but that's about it. Most of the styling leaves me cold - ever more angry Terminator looks or bug-eyed bollocks seems to be the way things are going.

[tricol]

I must admit, I do find it hard to see the differences in some manufacturers models, but then I think that is down to sharing parts, and the large number of models. Those middle segments are fiercely competitive and maybe some manufacturers end up designing safe. Out of all the new models in that middleweight sector the new Hornet was the most underwhelming. Too close to the CB500 really in terms of styling.

But I just love bikes and I'm happy to look at everything. I filmed a lot more but didn't include it in the video. I think it would have been too long to watch.

[Bustaspoke]

I've only been there once,back in the early 90's when Honda launched that NR750.I must be missing something as plenty of people attend but I've never really understood why people travel to the NEC (or any other new bike show) when they can pop in a few local dealers & see the bikes there.
If I lived down that part of the world maybe I'd go for a day out on a crappy November day,one of my mates asked me if I fancied going there this week but i just CBA with the drive there & back.On a sunny summer's day & nothing else to do I could be tempted like the fromage said up there^^^
I quite like the look of the retro coloured Transalp,but I'll wait until the local dealers get one in & book a demo on that

[wull]

Last time I went was 2019 I think, went to get a picture signed by Scott Redding. Made the trip solely for that reason.

[Skub]

ever more angry Terminator looks or bug-eyed bollocks seems to be the way things are going.

Good innit?

[mangocrazy]

ever more angry Terminator looks or bug-eyed bollocks seems to be the way things are going.

Good innit?

How did I know?

[Bigyin]

If i say i had a chat with Steve Hislop last time i went that shows how long its been

Maybe its just what the OP chose to film but the complete lack of sports bikes says a lot of how the markets have gone recently compared to shows of the past

[weeksy]

I've only been there once,back in the early 90's when Honda launched that NR750.I must be missing something as plenty of people attend but I've never really understood why people travel to the NEC (or any other new bike show) when they can pop in a few local dealers & see the bikes there.

It's a day out looking at bikes, so if the venue is well managed and parking isn't a pain then I'd go, but probably for different reasons than I used to.

Back in the day we didn't have internet, so the only real way to get a look at everything available and get some current news and gossip was to go to these types of shows. It would be a big event for us, we'd organise it in the pub and then go from there.

If I went now it would just be for a day out.

The part that pisses me off is, it's a £50-100 for someone to try and sell me things. It's manufacturers, helmet, leathers, boots, bikes, bits... all wanting you to spend money... but charging you in the first place.

It's like walking into Tesco and having to pay a Fiver just to walk round.

You want me to buy your £15,000 bike, don't fuck me over before we even begin.

[tricol]

Maybe its just what the OP chose to film but the complete lack of sports bikes says a lot of how the markets have gone recently compared to shows of the past

Yea, I only really filmed some of the bikes I was interested in. There were lots of race bikes that I did film, but as for regular sports bikes it was just the usual stuff.

[Dodgy69]

I'd imagine there was plenty of lecky stuff, for those interested. Hybrid maybe. Then we pretty much know the rest. Still nice to see them all in one day in the flesh though.

[tricol]

Kawasaki had their hybrid on show. Their stand was huge, but I think of all the manufacturers I'm least drawn to them. Loads of electric scooters, and those ASBO ones, Sur-Ron had a very busy stand.

[singlesman]

Went up yesterday with a couple of mates.
Was a nice enough day out and not too busy.
Was really looking to have a look at the RS660 but Aprillia aren’t there! Bugger.

[mangocrazy]

The part that pisses me off is, it's a £50-100 for someone to try and sell me things. It's manufacturers, helmet, leathers, boots, bikes, bits... all wanting you to spend money... but charging you in the first place.

It's like walking into Tesco and having to pay a Fiver just to walk round.

You want me to buy your £15,000 bike, don't fuck me over before we even begin.

That's the world of Expos, conferences and events, the organisers charge you to get in and they're also charging the companies for their stands.
The organisers of these events don't make anything or contribute to that industry other then getting buyers/sellers into a room and charging a fortune for it.

You beat me to it... And from what I hear from the smaller exhibitors, every year the gouging gets deeper. That's why the event is around half the size it was even ten years ago. The last time I went was in 2017 when I wanted to confirm in person that the Duke 690 R really was being deleted from KTM's 2018 model year lineup. It was, and that galvanised me into snagging one of the last 2017 MY ones.

[weeksy]

I absolutely understand ..... But that doesn't mean i'm prepared to accept it

[MrLongbeard]

I'm at that stage where I can take or leave the show, if the parking gets more expensive I'll deffo be out.
That said, it's still a decent family day out, if your family is reasonably like minded, hell of a lot less shopping opportunities this year compared to 2019, which is a bummer as I was after gloves, a jacket, boots and a battery.

I still don't fit a Grom

PXL_20221125_120216707 by MrLongbeard, on Flickr

And I still don't get y'all's fascination with old bikes, and I ride a Harley FFS
PXL_20221125_113422943 by MrLongbeard, on Flickr

Ewwwww
PXL_20221125_113536951 by MrLongbeard, on Flickr

Brown grips
PXL_20221125_120655463 by MrLongbeard, on Flickr

to go with you brown seat sir;
PXL_20221125_120642044 by MrLongbeard, on Flickr

[mangocrazy]

Brown as a colour should be outlawed from appearing on motorcycles. I can see nothing to recommend it. I prefer to see dayglo pink rather than brown any day of the week.