Motorcycle Live 2025

We took our own food, but it was £6 ish for two Americanos which was fine.

 

I think possibly the reason why those bargains are no longer is because we are remembering the show pre internet. In those days the only way companies could dispose of end of season items was at things like the Motorcycle show and they were prepared to heavily discount so they didn't have to cart anything home. Nowadays they can sell on line for as long as they need until stock has gone so no incentive for that show discount anymore. Just a thought

 

Interesting, x2 lattes £8.20

 

Clearly premium milk .

 

I think they were creaming it off

 

You’re making an udder fool of yourself .

 

I went on Friday, there was a wide range of new models from different manufacturers, although a no-show from Aprilia again. The Suzuki GSXR1000 did not disappoint. The red and white paint scheme was in my view the best in the show, a lovely deep rich red and white, what more could you ask for, it is difficult just sitting on a bike to make an informed decision on how comfortable it would be as a regular ride, so I am still undecided, the head says yes, my body says different though. It is certainly not as comfortable position-wise as the Panigale 1299s, it feels like the outgoing GSXR in respect of ride position, clip on height and reach etc. Oh, and for Mrs V the Shoei X-SPR Pro Motegi 5 helmet was reduced to £600. The signed Dean Harrison replica was the same price. More photos to follow.

 

Your last sentence probably sums it up, @Havit. It does for me, anyway! For both of those two things you mentioned. On another note, I really enjoy motorcycle events and shows like this but sadly it seems they are fewer and fewer in the United States. At least anywhere halfway even close to us in Arizona. Rallys are disappearing, too. We used to go to the Laughlin River Run every April and Las Vegas Bike Fest every October. Those are both events of the past now. I guess that old saying is true, "The only constant is change". I guess whether the changes we experience can be considered welcome or not-so-welcome depending on our perspective. Yikes, I guess all the rain we've had in the past week is making me feel all contemplative and philosophical. Good thing I live in the desert!

 

I agree, the red scheme on the Gixer K does look class.
When you buy a modern sports bike you get something very close to a race machine so you have to expect race bike ergonomics to go with (almost) race performance.
My head also says buy one but my back, left hip and right knee call the shots these days so the ZZR is as radical as I want to go and it’s a settee by comparison.

 

They didn't have it in pinhead size at the show sadly, XS. I love it so much!

 

What struck me when I sat on it was how small and compact it felt. It felt nice in terms of seat and peg height etc to me, but the reach to the bars felt a little stretched (for me).

 

Completely agree re modern sports bikes almost being a race ready bike. Very few of us mere mortals have anywhere near the talent to use one as it is designed to be used. My days of fast tourers a la ZZR, Busa or even my old blackbird are now behind me. Even when I had the Blackbird the fastest I ever managed was 165mph in Germany on the autobahn.
Modern sports bikes are very good to look at though with some fantastic paint jobs on them.
Having been a fireman for 30 years and attended more bike crashes than I care to remember the vast majority were this type of sports bike, usually caused by the rider having much more desire than talent.

 

You could argue that they are among the safest bikes on the road with SOTA handling and braking but the “problem” is human nature with riders wanting to experience the performance they offer and I include myself in that statement. If you’re content pottering around at or around the speed limit they won’t interest you but if you buy one you’re going to want to “try” it at some point. The “spirited” or “enthusiastic” riding often talked about on here is one thing on a Triumph twin but can be a very different proposition on bikes with the sort of performance these race replicas offer.