Anyone going or been already? There seems to be a general lack of interest across the bike forums I'm on. I've not been for a number of years now and last time I went I thought it was a bit meh and overpriced.
I am going with a friend on Wednesday as I am off work; I have been for the past two years as well. I was fortunate enough last year that Helmut and I were given free tickets which we were very grateful for. I think I would go every other year otherwise. I have to say I enjoy it. It is expensive, but I enjoy looking at all of the bikes in the flesh and also like the entertainment in the form of the trials riders etc that were there last year. It also gives me a chance to have a good day out with Helmut and / or with friends, which is quite rare for me with conflicting work hours so it is not just about the bikes.
I’ve not been for years either. We went virtually every year from about 1988 through the 90’s. You can find so much info on new models via the internet these days so it’s a case of is the opportunity to actually sit on a new bike worth the cost of travel and entry. We went to the Road Race and Superbike Show a couple of times years ago at Earls Court and Olympia and really enjoyed it, usually held early in the year.
Similar viewpoint and history to @Pegscraper . Once upon a time shows were a thing along with the BMF etc but those days for me have gone. On my last bike visit to the NEC I thought it was overpriced and a unfulfilled day out.
I/we only go if any of us want something that’s likely to have a decent discount at the show. I did want a new helmet but SPORTSBIKESHOP had 20% off the very helmet I wanted so I bought it from the Leeds store. This saved me the cost of the ticket plus the parking plus the fuel to drive there and back. The very best saving though was I didn’t need to go south. I really don’t like going south.
Motorcycle Live is a bit far away for "a day out", but I always enjoy the Scottish Motorcycle Show - a great chance to look at and sit on lots of bikes, look at and try on some bike kit and maybe pick up the odd bargain. There is also a classics hall and stunt show. However prices are rising, Scottish show is now £25 plus £10 parking if you go by car (it's in chilly March so we often do!), Motorcycle Live is £35 plus £18.95 to park..... Yikes! On the other hand, if we don't support these shows we'll lose them.....
We are going tomorrow as not been for a few years. £23 for the ticket and it is £10 for parking if booked in advance or £15 on the day.
If you go on a weekday and plan in advance it is nowhere near that expensive at £23 per ticket. My friend and I are also getting the train at £25 return, so costing us £48 each which is still £6 cheaper than what you have quoted there. Not a cheap day out, but I don't think it's outrageous either - it obviously helps that the travel for us is nowhere near what it would be for you.
The last time I went must’ve been 2000 to see the new GSXR1000 launch. We got there within 30mins of the doors opening and the place was absolutely rammed! You had to queue to get anywhere near the main stands. The best time for trying the bikes is about 1hr from closing when the crowds start to thin out and you can get to sit on anything you want. If you’re lucky you can also get some last minute bargains on some of the trade stands. I remember queueing on the M42 numerous times but parking was well organised if a bit pricey.
Last went a few years ago. It was p'ing down when I came out and oddly all the shuttle buses were going to the North and East carparks but none to the South where I'd been herded. Thanks NEC. I was soaking wet through for the whole drive home after a twenty minute walk back to the car in the pouring rain! All I recall from the show was I was too short for either the newly launched Transalp or the V-Strom 800DE...
I went on Sunday. Quite well attended, I thought. Food was a total ripoff - more than usual. Bike parking was free, secure and manned by friendly chaps but it was a bloody long walk to the hall - literally the other end. It was a little less autojumble than it has been in the past, but in the 4 hours I spent wandering around I didn't see a single thing that made me go "Oooh, I like that." State of the industry or me being a dinosaur? You decide.
I still do get in for free (media pass wearing a different hat) and I was still disappointed with the overall experience. Plus I got bloody frozen on the way home.
I was there yesterday. I go most years and I always go to at least one of the Stafford shows and I've never missed the Bike Shed show in London. Obviously I like bike shows. I like being around motorcycles and motorcycle people. Yes the NEC show is a bit pricey if you don't get an advance ticket. If you drive there on your own then the parking cost is ridiculous, so take a friend or 3. Bike parking is free of course. Take your own sandwiches or whatever if you don't want to be ripped off, lots of people do. I always go down by train, it's comfortable and convenient. Door to door for me is 1hr45m. I was in by 10.30 and there for 6 hrs. I spoke to a lot people, sat on a lot of bikes (that I wouldn't otherwise be able to), took a few snaps, watched mad people cartwheeling bikes through the air while drinking quite a decent pint (none of your lager or IPA rubbish) and talked myself out of buying yet another helmet. I came home with 2 pairs of gloves. One from Zerofit, their waterproof winter gloves (-£10 show discount). I've got their Ultimate Base layer, which is easily the warmest base layer I've ever worn. Yet to try the gloves on the bike but they're too warm to wear for long indoors. I got a good discount (-£30) on a set of braided steel brake lines for my ZX7R from HEL. And I got a better-than-usual discount on my bike insurance renewal. I've mentioned this before. I'm with Bikesure, who happen to be one of the main show sponsors. My renewal is due in early December. They send me a quote. I go to the show and have a face to face haggle and always get it knocked down. This time by £50. Will I be going next year? Yes I probably will.
Very true....they even stopped the irish being free!! (Not an overseas visitor) god knows what the Irish sea is. Of course im in kent now. So alas i join the poor sods over here that have to pay the price of looking at what the motorcycle industry want us to buy. But only if we pay for the privilege. Not only that....when i used to go, (when bikes didnt look the same ). You came out with so many freebes you looked like you had been doing your weekly shopping and didnt have enough bags. Now your lucky to get a few stickers a pen and a motorcyle free ads paper. Oh the joys. Back then you got real bargins not like now. Then they wonder why the numbers are dwindling . Its a money racket . Maybe im getting old and grumpy or wising up to this money grabbing world we live in.
Even though it started snowing five minutes before I set off, and Bucks council clearly hadn't gritted the roads... I made it to MCL in the end. Half an hour to get into the carpark was an utter joke though. Setting aside one of the halls for an arena nobody was using was odd, and some of the stands were smaller than last time I went. It was also a lot busier than I expected for a Wednesday! I rather liked the GX version of the venerable old SV650 but not many other bikes took my fancy, and despite rude people constantly pushing in front of me I did find some new summer gloves from a bin of old stock. Glad I took my own food as the price of a cuppa alone was taking the pi55... It was a nice enough day out (once I got ahead of the snow) but I'll not be in a hurry to go again for quite a while.
Well, I am just back from the show and I had a great day out with my friend. It was snowing this morning, but we got the train there and back and took our own food to avoid paying the extortionate prices at the show, but did have a few coffees each. We had a good look round, chatted to lots of people and she bought some Zerofit base layers (I already have the ultimate top and really like it!). I looked at and sat on loads of bikes and compiled a little shopping list for the inevitable lottery win: The new V2 Hypermotard SP - lairy paintwork, comfortable and good looking machine and surprisingly much lower than my 821, meaning that I can almost touch the floor . The V2 Streetfighter in a lovely shade of yellow . The new Street Triple 765 RX - but the colour could be far more inspiring as a special edition . My dream Motegi helmet was there with £200 off, but luckily for my bank account there were no XS in stock. Lastly, there was a fabulous show of skilled trials and motocross riders doing things that should be impossible on bikes for our entertainment. It may not be as big and bold and full of freebies as "the good old days", but I still had a fantastic day out. @Iceman the new GSXR1000 in the flesh was so stunning in the red / white / gold paint scheme - I hope you have ordered one .
