Motorcycle Live - What's In Store
Show Time!
John Newman
Fortune has smiled on us motorcyclists, giving us decent late summer/early autumn weather. We never know what might come our way on winter roads. Dark nights and mornings are a sure thing. But luckily we'll have the bright lights of Motorcycle Live at Birmingham's NEC to cheer us up. With lots of new models to pose on and try for size.
About Motorcycle Live
Motorcycle Live runs from November 19th - 27th this year. It's the third European show, following the big exhibitions at Cologne and Milan where new models are first revealed. The UK is a relatively small market compared with mainland Europe. So we wait a few more weeks to examine the manufacturers' wares and temptations for 2017.
The NEC show relies on tried and trusted exhibits and motorcycle personalities to entertain us. The visitor numbers have help up well over the last couple of years. This is also reflected in new motorcycle registration figures, which have continued to be positive. Though everything we buy from here on in will be affected by the decreasing value of the pound.
Experience adventure
The organisers have introduced a new riding feature this year; Experience Adventure. Supported by KTM, Ducati, Triumph and Honda. There'll be a riding arena designed to introduce riders to the skills required for adventure motorcycling. These include bike set-up, body positioning and balance over what is described as 'testing terrain'.
Ride the future
Kuberg makes a range of electric off-road bikes, mainly aimed at young people. It'll be offering an introduction to riding its machines over an indoor off-road track. Its bikes have been described as powerful and feisty. This may be the first opportunity that many people will have to ride the future, so to speak.
In the Classic Zone
The National Motorcycle Museum will be bringing us the Classic Zone. Displaying and starting up (twice a day) a couple of TT winning Triumphs. One is the 1969 Thruxton Bonneville, ridden by Malcolm Uphill to victory in that year's production race. Putting in a lap of 100.09mph from a standing start.
The other Triumph is the legendary 'Slippery Sam' 750cc works production racer. It won five TTs in a row, but received the nickname at the Bol d'Or 24 hour race in 1970, when a malfunctioning oil pump covered the bike and riders with oil.
Live builds
The Classic Zone will also see a live build of a 1950 AJS Model 18 by the museum's restoration team. It's always good to watch these skilled bike builders and restorers at work.
Suzuki will be undertaking its third Motorcycle Live build. This year, a GSX1100SD Katana that will compete in next year's four-hour Endurance Legends event at Donington Park.
Other stuff
Expect cinema. Quizzes. A trial of strength with tyres. A wheel changing challenge. Stunt riding by Lee Bowers. Trials tryouts. TT feature and lots more. Plus the inevitable bargains from the clothing, helmet and accessory companies.
Wemoto News will be reporting during show week and will put up a gallery of pictures to capture the Motorcycle Live atmosphere. Lots more information at
www.motorcyclelive.co.uk.
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