Motorcycle Live 2021

Went yesterday having checked their covid protocol. Masks must be worn, covid pads to be presented. Walked in from train station side, four members of staff stood talking, got my phone out but before I could get the pass on the screen was given a bracelet to enter the nec complex. As I entered the halls clearly I was in the minority wearing a mask. A right shambles to be honest, that is my opinion.
No where near as good as previous years regarding stores, bargains etc. No freebies, no MCN, Carol Nash girls. Looked at a compression vest and leggings on one Oxford stall,walked round the corner, £15 cheaper. Walked round with it in my hand looking to pay and did actually make comment about how easy it would be be to walk off, had to look for member of staff who was stood at the till completely disinterested.

 

Hi Sprinter, I agree totally with what you say, I put my experience of the show in my original post. The whole Covid adherence was a complete joke, I heard people saying to one another "hey that app your mate sent me worked a treat", it was apparent they had not been vaccinated nor done a LFT. As you say a very small minority wore masks, and even the staff appeared not to be interested in informing people at the door what was expected re Covid. It was actually a "criminals charter" so to speak as those with a dishonest disposition could have walked off with all sorts, with no sign of the usual security in place (although few retail stands had a presence). Pre Covid I always found the Manchester Bike Show had lots to offer, I will attend the show in January 2022 and place a post on the forum regarding comparisons.

 

Thanks for sharing photos @Octoberon , some nice bikes there
I didn't go this time, the first one I've missed for a good few years and it's always been a good day.
Was a bit put off this time by the covid risk from being inside with crowds of people and the fact that it might be half cocked cos some manufacturers dealers not having stands. Interestingly background of your and others pictures don't look that crowded. Comfortable with my decision though.
Hope back to normal for the 2022 one and got the Bike Shed Bike Show to look forward to in May

 

Had a good poke around at the show today. Nice to get up close and have a sit on loads of bikes in one place. I got there for doors open and went straight to the adventure experience. Rode the Tiger 900 around the track for 10mins, a great laugh and I think it's given me the confidence to take my 850 off road a bit, maybe after the Barkbusters finally arrive! The sales pitch has worked, planning a date for the adventure experience in Wales!

 

Enjoyed sticking my nail in Sam Lowes' Moto2 rear rubber and having a good tap at the bodywork as race carbon fibre is sexy as feck.

Hidden away on the Triumph stand.

Suzuki and Honda had some cracking olde stuff on show. And the ZXR750 liveried ZX10RR was achingly beautiful. The new blade was just achingly ,thought,"This must be on a paddock stand?" Nope.

 

Thanks for sharing all your photos of these beautiful bikes at the show, @Octoberon. That looks just like my kind of place – apart from the Covid issues. What a great assortment of motorcycles and so many of them beautifully displayed. Looks like it was great fun! Looking forward to reports of the upcoming shows, too. Thanks for taking the time and energy to post.

 

I went to the MCN peat-bog-horror (Peterborough..) show earlier in the year and it was way smaller than the previous year imho.
It wasn’t really worth the money (unless you REALLY wanted to buy a cheaper helmet or jacket)
That too didn’t have all manufacturers there either.

 

Survey completed.....

 

I'm not so sure, he was not impressed with the current Tiger 1200 at all. He is a short enough fella, not to sure the new 1200 suits him, especially as there is no low version (just a low seat).

 

Went on a Wednesday, I enjoyed the show. I got a cheap Ryanair flight for £20 return, Dublin to Birmingham, free shuttle to the NEC, bought a ticket off a fella in one of the cafe's who's Dad couldn't make it, he gave it to me for free but I insisted he took a tenner. My Covid cert was fully checked on the way in. People were not wearing masks but I was not concerned at all, it was reasonably quiet and easy to get about without being on top of people. If I was concerned with Covid (I'm all Covid'd out, I don't care anymore) you would be more worried about a couple of hundred sets of hands on the bike grips, 1000 times more transmissible than no masks!

Fair play to Suzuki, Kawasaki and Triumph, all great stands. For £30 return from Ireland I had a great day out, loved it. I also blagged a Triumph Tiger 1200 VIP invite, got in the show an hour early and got breakfast rolls and coffee off the Triumph fellas and a presentation on the new 1200 - massive improvement over the outgoing model. Long wait for a test ride though, April by the looks of it.

I made a little vid of my visit.