Featured Motorcycle Live 2024

Nice photos, it looks as if there was plenty of room to move about, was it very crowded? I'm going on Friday, I wasn't expecting any bargains - but live in hope!!

 

We’re going on Wednesday, I’m looking for some new gear, jacket and trousers. The Oxford stuff looks pretty good for the money. One never knows, a bargain might be had.

 

I went on Saturday and picked up a few bargains as did my mate.
They are out there, be prepared to ask for a deal too

 

We are going this Saturday, wish us luck

 

That Norton does look well
Thanks for the pictures and review.

 

The great difficulty I had when looking for my DR was finding one that hadn’t been turned into a super Moto. Why do they ruin a very, very good off road bike by putting small wheels on it? I found some lovely bikes but all had been ruined. I’ve ended up buying a project as it was the only unmolested one I could find.
I do hope there will be some proper DRZs as well as the SM crap.

 

Does it look like this

 

I was at the show yesterday (Tuesday). I always go down on the train to avoid traffic on the M6 and the exorbitant parking fee. Plus the station is inside the NEC and it's a 5 minute walk to the exhibition halls.

I felt the whole show was a bit smaller than previously. Maybe this is a reflection of the overall drop in motorcycle registrations or the cost of show space at the NEC. I've read of a couple of exhibitors pulling out for the latter reason (similar situation with the Stafford show).
The usual suspects were there, most of the main manufacturers. But a lot of the peripheral stuff seemed to be missing, even the places selling gear were fewer.

I had a wander on most of the stands, sat on a few bikes and chatted to people. As usual I much admired the works of art by CCM. Gorgeous. But I'm not sure how I would use one of their machines. They're not designed for long distance and I wouldn't want to leave it unattended because even loaded with locks it would be easy to chuck in the back of a van. More for short blasts through rolling countryside I suppose, but I have bikes that do that, including the Bonneville.

I was hoping for a good deal on a pair of Sidi Vertigo 2's (boots). Only one place was selling them, in very limited colours and only £30 off (despite their claim of more) RRP. Cheaper online.

My insurance company is Bikesure, who always have a stand at the show. So I sit down and have a haggle over their online renewal cost. In the past they've beaten it by £40 (that more than covers my train fare) but this time the best they could do was a £16 saving. Not impressed.

The Triumph stand was pretty good. I've decided I like the new Daytona 660 (in red) and have already checked out prices..buy one with a few hundred miles and save £2000, why would you buy new?

In the end the only things I bought were a pastie and a pint.

So I was a little disappointed and ended up leaving an hour earlier than anticipated. To be honest, I much prefer the Bike Shed show in London and the two Stafford shows. So I've put it in next years' diary as a 'maybe'.

 

Been a few times in the past (pre-covid) but came to the same conclusion as @beerkat on a number of points.
Once went to a Manchester show and that was more amateur and grass roots, far more preferable.

Now that CCM, oh yes!
I've test ridden a few a couple of years ago and although all the models look quite similar they definitely rode different. I wonder how this yellow one will be as it certainly looks the part and could see that in my dinning room ( threatened it previously with a Spitfire model, no not the plane ).

One niggle of the CCM's which must be my ocd coming out, why can't they supply them with a plain right fork leg if only one disc brake is fitted?

 

I hadn't noticed the fork leg thing. What made you decide not to go for it after having the tests rides? Or did you only fancy a ride with no intention of buying? I agree about the CCM making a great ornament but no room in my house unfortunately.

 

Went with my Brother on Tuesday, he had advance tickets with express parking but we still had a bit of a walk to get in. It was snowing so we didn't want to stand in a queue for the courtesy bus.
Last time I went , about 5 or so years, it was far busier. Dont know if it was the weather or the high cost of tickets and car parking but we found it better for us as there were no crowds and lots of space. My bro fancies an Enfield Bear, sat on one and loves it, hopes to buy in the New Year. He sat on a Rocket 3 too but hated it, he is a big lad and it wasn't comfy for his beer belly, lol.
Strange that a smaller bike had more room for him but there you go.
I was shocked how few trade stands were there selling jackets, boots etc and didn't see many good deals. Paid 7.50 for a pint of pale ale too, ripoff but well needed.
Enjoyed it over all.

 

I nearly went on Tuesday but when I opened the curtains to find snow falling I went back to bed... I know it would have probably made it quieter in the halls but did not fancy slushy roads or the horrendously expensive train option which always involves a lengthy wait for a connection.

Maybe next year.

 

I'm surprised to hear your train journey would be horrendously expensive. From here up north mine is a 1hr45min trip, with one 10 min change at Stockport, costing £32 return (with an old persons rail card). That includes a reserved seat. The only better option for me would be the bike.

 

From here in Buckinghamshire, less than 100 miles from the NEC, it takes as long or longer than for your run down from Cheshire, often changing twice, and an off-peak ticket (ie I cannot get there until a couple of hours beyond opening) is £35 return. To get there early doors would need a £75 anytime return... And last time I took the train to the NEC the connecting service I got from Banbury was beyond packed, so I'll just drive in future. Shame, as I used to like taking the train, but most of my experiences over the last few years have been overcrowded and delayed. Oh, and most of the other passengers have no idea how to behave!