Monday 26th November 2012

PH2: Motorcycle Live 2012

This week the home of motorcycling in the UK is Birmingham. PH2 checks out the action

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The annual biking pilgrimage kicked off this weekend with the NEC Motorcycle Live Show – the UK’s biggest and most entertaining bike show. Burger in hand, PH2 took a wander to see the highlights.

Pantheon of Monsters on Ducati stand

Monsters rock
Motorcycle Live gets better every year and after a bit of a dark patch a few years back 2012’s show is well worth a visit. All the major manufacturers are on hand with most of the new bikes on display.

Ducati has its new Hypermotards as well as the stunning new Panigale 1199 R but for PH2 the highlight of the red stand is the display of Monster models, a celebration of 20 years of this iconic machine.

Next to Ducati, Honda’s fairly gigantic stand includes a Fireblade celebration and a few race bikes as well as the new CB range and also a chance for kids to ride some mini bikes. However PH2 was oddly drawn to the automatic lawnmower that kept circulating around on a bit of Astroturf…

Spirit of 1970s in two-stroke Peregrine

Ducal hall
In the same hall as Honda you have KTM with its new 390 Duke but unfortunately not the Super Duke R 1290 prototype – which is locked up until a production bike is unveiled at the end of 2013. The Piaggio group have a lovely selection with Guzzi, Aprilia, Vespa and Piaggio represented while Suzuki have the concept V-Strom 1000 on display but more interestingly for PH2 also a mint DR800 ‘Dr Big’. We like it!

Yamaha’s stand includes the new triple engine as well as a few specials including the super cool ‘Yard Built’ XJR and a French stunt XJ6. While you are there pop behind and look at the awesome Peregrine Motorcycles OW16 replica, which claims to be Britain's only brand-new, street-legal two-stroke.

For a more sedate life there is a great selection of Enfields on the Watsonian Squire stand including a 2013 café racer concept bike. PH2 also loves the sidecars…

Stunning Aprilia-powered Norton TT racer

BMW GS makes splash
The highlight of Kawasaki’s stand for PH2 was the ‘Spirit of the Seventies’ W800 special, a lovely looking machine, while for some reason Victory had a carbon covered Mustang alongside its bikes.

As you would expect the BMW stand was full of people looking at the HP4 (which is now in the UK) and also the water-cooled GS while Triumph’s new Daytona and Street Triple was also drawing huge crowds.

Next to Triumph, Norton has the TT bike (powered by an Aprilia V4 engine) on display and also a new Commando SF and some pretty cool branded clothing.

Activities aplenty, if the mood takes you

Things to do
PH2 resisted the urge to take to two wheels during the show, but if you want a bit of a laugh there is a trials school and motocross demos. Those without a bike licence can get a taste of two wheels with the Get On Test Ride Zone while nippers can ride minibikes and even the excellent push powered Kiddi Motos on a special test track.

Info:
Motorcycle Live runs until December 2 (next Sunday). Ticket prices and info can be found at www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

[m6rk]

I've been the last few years and it's got worse and worse.. The general consensus was that there is less and less to see each year. No real bargains, more cheap tat, overpriced entry and parking.. I miss the old Motorbike and road racing show at Ally Pally. Real tuners, little machine shops etc was so big they had to stick some tents up outside..

If you're not after some cheap crappy no-name leathers/gloves etc or have 10k+ to spend on a new 600cc then i'd give it a miss!

[chibbard]

But it's still bike related day out during winter. Take it for what it is. I'm a bit biased as I'm going on Sunday to see the BMW1000rr HP4 Carbon that I have a deposit on !!!!

[RumpleFugly]

The Ally Pally show was always the tuner/custom show, where the bargains were to be had.

I've always treated the NEC as the first chance to sit on all the new models and make engine noises in the UK. I think it's brill, certainly better than traipsing round dealers to see how each feels.

It did go a bit crap a few years back when many manufacturers pulled out but it's been getting much better the last few years. Sure there aren't many good deals to be had, but the Internet has pretty much putrid to those savings anyway, from the comfort of your own home.

I'm going Thursday, can't wait!

[Hellbound]

But there are no Italian 'booth professionals'!

[996 sps]

m6rk said:

Loads of real negative stuff

I've been going for a number of years and this year has been one of the best I've been to, personally thought there was loads of bargains to be had, that aside there was loads to do and watch, got to chat to Randy Mamola, Bradley Smith, coffee and a cake at the Honda stand, then watched the Motorcross show.

Brilliant day, was miffed with 10 squid parking but forgot about it once I was in there.

[Carlique]

I went last year and thought it was really good. A lot better than a few years ago anyhow. Like mentioned, it's a good opportunity to go and have a feel for pretty much every bike on the market without having the hassle of chatting to pushy dealers etc. They've made the stunt shows and all that jazz inclusive with the ticket price so that's always entertaining too.
The car parking is bit of a joke so I like to get the train instead (I don't say that often!)and end up at the Birmingham Christmas market for a pancake and some beers. May as well make a day of it !

[garypotter]

Admittedly I have not been for about 6 or 7 years but went along looking for bargains! nothing, the stock was the same price as in shops, got what i wanted in the after xmas sale in local dealer, A big myth busted........

[Merkypast]

I won't pay to park at the NEC again. I made that mistake at the Classic Car Show.

Park, queue up in the wet to pay your tenner and get a ticket, then carry on into the show. The idea being that you hand the ticket over on the way out and they raise the barrier.
I stayed at the show until the end (18:30) then had a quick coffee and a walk back to the car. By the time I got there (19:15) all the barriers were up and the booths unmanned, locked and shuttered!

Great. That was a tenner down the toilet then.

[moanthebairns]

try going to the scottish bike show! That is dire. £16 entry or something and your round it in 30 minutes.

Bargins, HA. Its all cheap rubbish that you see getting knocked off at every bsb event.

[Prof Prolapse]

moanthebairns said:

try going to the scottish bike show! That is dire. £16 entry or something and your round it in 30 minutes.

I still don't understand why I have to pay money to have people try and sell me things. Most of which are st.

[moanthebairns]

Prof Prolapse said:

moanthebairns said:

try going to the scottish bike show! That is dire. £16 entry or something and your round it in 30 minutes.

I still don't understand why I have to pay money to have people try and sell me things. Most of which are st.

I wont be back. I wouldnt mind paying for the one down south but never again for the scottish one. It was fecking dreadful. If it was free fine but honestly it was pure pish.

[Prof Prolapse]

I was there... It was indeed.