NEC Bike Show

[Pirahna]

It's it worth going? There doesn't seem to be anything remotely similar here in Spain and I could do with some new kit. Are there still stalls selling stuff? Is it tat or worth going for?

[Horse]

It's it worth going? There doesn't seem to be anything remotely similar here in Spain and I could do with some new kit. Are there still stalls selling stuff? Is it tat or worth going for?

I've been (working) the last two years, after not going for over 20 years.

It's no longer the 'boot sale / 'Sunday market' of umpteen stalls selling end of line and tat that it used to be. PPE regs and trading standards have stopped a lot of that.

There are some large stands from big retailers, presumably with some show deals.

But at the London show in 2024 there were end of line bargain helmets - some stock was several years old ...

Do your research before you go.

[MrLongbeard]

If you're just going for a shopping trip I'd not bother, very few if any bargains to be had, and once you've paid £25 entrance, a tenner for parking, 8 quid for a pint and another tenner for a nasty hot dog any saving you've made is soon eroded away.

[Sunny]

I went a couple of years back as I wanted new gear, and there always used to be a wide range of stuff to look at/try on.

I was really disappointed by the general lack of 'proper' kit available. There were about three places selling decent branded kit, and the rest was a bunch of t-shirt and leather waistcoat type stalls.

I did get a good deal on some 'dash' cams from the Innov stand though.

[Beancounter]

Haven't been since 2019. As MLB and Sunny says, not many if any bargains to be had, especially after the entry costs.

Saying that, I did get a Rukka Coriace waterproof leather suit for £1k instead of the £2k RRP though I think that's more because the RRP was ridiculous for an off-the-peg leather touring suit.

[Skub]

A few of us used to go regularly,just jump off the plane and onto the little railway and you're there. The NEC was streets ahead of our local N.Ireland shows. You really don't know what shite is until you've encountered those. If you didn't bump into folk you knew for a yarn,you'd be round the 'show' and out in 15 minutes.

I haven't been for a few years now,mostly because nothing new makes me lust after it. I'd view it as a place to dander around looking at stuff,but maybe the days of the big show bargain are gone,if you are actually looking to buy.

[KungFooBob]

Last time I went Honda had just launched the new Africa Twin, I got bored waiting for a chance to sit on it.

There's a company called Gear Change Online that used to attend that did some great deals on Arai lids, however I discovered they'll do similar deals on the website if you use the chat function, I think the Arai importer price fixes so none of the dealers publish prices cheaper than one another, but will verbally deal.

[Dodgy69]

It's a day out. Good look and sit on the new stuff. Take own food and avoid the chat stage with Henry Cole and Co. Don't think I'm going.

[Yorick]

I used to go to shows as a day out. Never bought anything, just looked and enjoyed.

Not been for long time.

[Pirahna]

It sounds like I'd be better off visiting my sister in London and going shopping at Infinity Motorcycles.

I've been to the NEC show a couple of times but probably not this century, Earls Court was always better.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I went 2 years ago, when the Hornet 1000 was first on show, stayed for a couple of hours and got bored so left.
This year I will be driving from Liverpool to Ipswich on the 20th of November, don't think I'll bother stopping at the NEC

[Dodgy69]

Some decent YouTube available. I've now had a good look around without going. One was Simon summot, with some tasty blonde and the helmet guy or summot like, he went around the motogb stand, nothing over 10k. Worth a look.

[weeksy]

Some decent YouTube available. I've now had a good look around without going. One was Simon summot, with some tasty blonde and the helmet guy or summot like, he went around the motogb stand, nothing over 10k. Worth a look.

lol some tasty blonde. You’re such a throwback to a forgotten era

[Yorick]

Some decent YouTube available. I've now had a good look around without going. One was Simon summot, with some tasty blonde and the helmet guy or summot like, he went around the motogb stand, nothing over 10k. Worth a look.

lol some tasty blonde. You’re such a throwback to a forgotten era

TBF those blondes are put there to titillate

[Dodgy69]

Some decent YouTube available. I've now had a good look around without going. One was Simon summot, with some tasty blonde and the helmet guy or summot like, he went around the motogb stand, nothing over 10k. Worth a look.

lol some tasty blonde. You’re such a throwback to a forgotten era

My era will last my lifetime, we are always in transition.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Last time I went Honda had just launched the new Africa Twin, I got bored waiting for a chance to sit on it.

There's a company called Gear Change Online that used to attend that did some great deals on Arai lids, however I discovered they'll do similar deals on the website if you use the chat function, I think the Arai importer price fixes so none of the dealers publish prices cheaper than one another, but will verbally deal.

I went when they launched the original 650 Africa Twin

[KungFooBob]

Last time I went Honda had just launched the new Africa Twin, I got bored waiting for a chance to sit on it.

There's a company called Gear Change Online that used to attend that did some great deals on Arai lids, however I discovered they'll do similar deals on the website if you use the chat function, I think the Arai importer price fixes so none of the dealers publish prices cheaper than one another, but will verbally deal.

I went when they launched the original 650 Africa Twin

I thought you were so old you'd have been at the 600 launch.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Last time I went Honda had just launched the new Africa Twin, I got bored waiting for a chance to sit on it.

There's a company called Gear Change Online that used to attend that did some great deals on Arai lids, however I discovered they'll do similar deals on the website if you use the chat function, I think the Arai importer price fixes so none of the dealers publish prices cheaper than one another, but will verbally deal.

I went when they launched the original 650 Africa Twin

I thought you were so old you'd have been at the 600 launch.

What 600, pretty sure the first ones were 650s with a limited number of HRC ones

[KungFooBob]

I went when they launched the original 650 Africa Twin

I thought you were so old you'd have been at the 600 launch.

What 600, pretty sure the first ones were 650s with a limited number of HRC ones

They went from 600 to 650 with the 2000 model.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

This was long before 2000, some time in the 80s before I met my wife.