Bike show or no?
Discussion
Debating whether to head to the bike show at the Excel this Sunday.
Got to head there from SW London, and in the car because I'll want to buy stuff, so it's a major ballache. Initially I thought I might find an RX7-V for £500 instead of $550.
Then I thought hmm for £50 off it's not worth the ticket and my whole day.
Then I saw that the dive show was also on and I need a computer to replace the one that got pinched last year; and a lighter BC would be cool too; maybe I could get more discounts on stuff there too and rack up enough to make it worth the effort.
Then I thought - hmmm £35 for tickets for both... I've not been to a show since 2008..I wonder if nowadays the shows actually DO discounts any more, even on the Sunday.... is it really worth the petrol and the effort to go?
Thoughts?
Got to head there from SW London, and in the car because I'll want to buy stuff, so it's a major ballache. Initially I thought I might find an RX7-V for £500 instead of $550.
Then I thought hmm for £50 off it's not worth the ticket and my whole day.
Then I saw that the dive show was also on and I need a computer to replace the one that got pinched last year; and a lighter BC would be cool too; maybe I could get more discounts on stuff there too and rack up enough to make it worth the effort.
Then I thought - hmmm £35 for tickets for both... I've not been to a show since 2008..I wonder if nowadays the shows actually DO discounts any more, even on the Sunday.... is it really worth the petrol and the effort to go?
Thoughts?
For me, much like golf and strip clubs, I will go if it is part of a social outing or a wider days activities.
The few times I have been on my tod specifically to a show I have been in and out in about an hour and become bored easily. This is obviously a personal thing.
From a looking for a bargain point of view, I have never found anything cheaper than buying from one of the bigger stores when they have a sale on.
The few times I have been on my tod specifically to a show I have been in and out in about an hour and become bored easily. This is obviously a personal thing.
From a looking for a bargain point of view, I have never found anything cheaper than buying from one of the bigger stores when they have a sale on.
Angrybiker said:
looks like a no then overall. I just rang J&S locally to see if they had any lids in stock, they said they MIGHT be doing a special this weekend because they're not going to the show...
Until recently (meaning last couple of new helmets) I always bought my Shoeis from the local J&S - part of the problem was that J&S shut down the Greenwich branch which despite being the wrong side of the river actually was my closest. Their advertised deals now don't seem anywhere near as good.I've decided I'm going to switch at some point to an Arai after being less than pleased with the GT-Air I have. I've always bought at decent discounts off RRP for each and every Shoei I've owned. I'm more than happy to take last years model/colours to save some cash since its going to be used daily.
I have asked one of my mates who is still going to the show to keep a look out for helmet deals for me just in case anyway.
I like the London show - had some pretty good bargains there over the years, from Bags Connections 15% off to seriously discounted helmets from my local helmet place, that I can't get when I pop up the road to buy from there! I got a massive discount last year on Alpinestars SMX5s and if you take folding, quite often you can negotiate further shall we say.
The show is small and quick to do, but has everything you want. I've yet to go when the cost of the ticket was not covered at least twice over by discounted kit I've bought.
This is contrary to the NEC where you used to get brilliant bargains in the 90s but seem to struggle in recent years.
The show is small and quick to do, but has everything you want. I've yet to go when the cost of the ticket was not covered at least twice over by discounted kit I've bought.
This is contrary to the NEC where you used to get brilliant bargains in the 90s but seem to struggle in recent years.
Last time I went was 2 years ago.
Round trip drive was about 70 miles, so around £10 petrol. Car park was £10. Tickets for me + she who must be obeyed were £36. 'Food', which was utter utter utter s
te was about £35. So: whole day out was some £81. I bought a Shark lid & saved £50.
The traffic jam into the Excel car park from the Blackwall Tunnel took over an hour. Car park stewards were utterly useless, compounded by out of sync traffic lights & road works. The venue was stifling hot, & the view of the 'stunt' show limited to those that queued for ages &/or barged their way to the front. Said 'show' was properly dull. I am lucky enough to have a local multi-franchise main dealer with all the new stuff available, & many other clothing/accessory places within striking distance, so for me, its a big 'meh'.....
Round trip drive was about 70 miles, so around £10 petrol. Car park was £10. Tickets for me + she who must be obeyed were £36. 'Food', which was utter utter utter s
te was about £35. So: whole day out was some £81. I bought a Shark lid & saved £50.The traffic jam into the Excel car park from the Blackwall Tunnel took over an hour. Car park stewards were utterly useless, compounded by out of sync traffic lights & road works. The venue was stifling hot, & the view of the 'stunt' show limited to those that queued for ages &/or barged their way to the front. Said 'show' was properly dull. I am lucky enough to have a local multi-franchise main dealer with all the new stuff available, & many other clothing/accessory places within striking distance, so for me, its a big 'meh'.....
Andy XRV said:
Fleegle said:
It's shyte but apparently I'm going this year
I'll keep an eye out for your show review 
There were a few bikes on show behind lots of people
I also saw some helmets and clothing
Lots of people had tattoos and tyco branded clothing
It was wickid
Glad I didn't go. Luckily local store had an RX7-V in my size and colour in stock - Smiled sweetly about the show being on, got the lid, pinlock, dark visor and bottle of anti-mist for 490. Very good deal and with the time and money I saved not going to the show I got the bike cleaned and chain lubed. New lid and good as new looking bike for a clear roaded Monday morning commute. Nice. 
I went to SwissMoto twice last week.
On Saturday I drove there with my gf, but the queues through the city were unbelievable! No parking either.
Had to go back home and take a train.
I've been to SwissMoto two years in a row...but if there is nothing new next year I will not go. You've seen one, you've seen them all.
The same happened to me with Geneva Motor Show, I went twice, and only to look at the cars I actually wanted to buy.
In any case, this year my favourite bikes (look-wise) were Aprilia RSV4RF (it's always attractive) and Fireblade SP.
Panigale 1299S is, of course, a stunner, but it's not something I consider buying, too much PITA for a street bike.
Triumph had really great stands at the show! Lots of customized Thruxton Rs and they all look really good!
Harley Davidson exhibition was also very impressive. I wouldn't mind riding a black Fat Boy S...if I did not like XDiavel so much!
On Saturday I drove there with my gf, but the queues through the city were unbelievable! No parking either.
Had to go back home and take a train.
I've been to SwissMoto two years in a row...but if there is nothing new next year I will not go. You've seen one, you've seen them all.
The same happened to me with Geneva Motor Show, I went twice, and only to look at the cars I actually wanted to buy.
In any case, this year my favourite bikes (look-wise) were Aprilia RSV4RF (it's always attractive) and Fireblade SP.
Panigale 1299S is, of course, a stunner, but it's not something I consider buying, too much PITA for a street bike.
Triumph had really great stands at the show! Lots of customized Thruxton Rs and they all look really good!
Harley Davidson exhibition was also very impressive. I wouldn't mind riding a black Fat Boy S...if I did not like XDiavel so much!
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