The Bikes are Back in Town
Added on Monday, November 29th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
The Bikes are Back in Town
It’s been known to bikers in the UK for two decades simply as `The NEC,‘ but Carole Nash Motorcycle Live is more than a name change. The focus is now back on the motorbikes themselves. Insidebikes looks at the highlights of the 2010 event.
It is, ultimately, all about the metal. Yes, every biker wants a kit bargain, or maybe bring their son or daughter along for a `My First Ride’ try-out. But riding motorcycles gets addictive and that means you’re always on the lookout for your next machine. The bike show needs next year’s new models to draw the crowds.
Now 2011 looks set to be an interesting year, with several new modes catching the attention of the crowds who flocked to the opening weekend on 27th-28th November. Some of these look set to shake up their sector of the market, from sports-touring, to novice level, adventure riding to commuting.
Let’s start with the big guns and they don’t come much bigger than BMW’s K1600 GT/GTL. Six cylinder engine, 300Kgs plus weight and more gadgets than James Bond’s Aston Martin. Traction control, variable power modes, a dashboard that glows different colours depending on whether your heated grips are in operation – it’s got the lot. No official word from BMW yet on the price, but insidebikes is guessing the base model will start at around17K with a `wish list’ of extras on the range-topping GTL making it a 21-22K ride.
But what impressed the heck out of us at insidebikes on the BMW six was the sheer quality of the manufacture, the details in the design. The cast wheels have a beautiful symmetry, fastenings look durable and there’s been some clever thinking involved in making the Paralever rear end work on this huge and powerful bike. It is an engineering tour de force and you have to admire BMW’s bottle in making it happen, even if the grand touring experience isn’t your thing.
WE NEED NEW RIDERS
You look at bikes such as the new Honda CBR250 or the funky KTM Duke 125 and realise that manufacturers have seen the danger in making too many models for older riders. We need younger riders and the only way to attract them to the exciting world of two wheels is by offering something that looks good, doesn’t cost too much to run and holds its value.
The KTM Duke 125 might only have a modest power output, but its trick Supermoto styling is the stuff that teenage dreams are made of, the Austrian manufacturer are really onto something with the baby Duke. Maybe a special edition Red Bull F1 paintwork option would be a winner too?
Hats off to Honda for not only making budget bikes like the CBR125, CBR250 and CBR600F, all decent looking first bikes, but setting up the `My First Licence’ area at Motorcycle Live. It isn’t until you see the big smiles from both parents and children that you realise what a long term impact those few minutes on board a tiny little motorbike can have.
CONCEPTS AND CUSTOMS
Honda had the Crosstourer, VFR1200 based concept tourer generating comment, plus a scooter-motorcycle hybrid at the show. For us, the VFR800 Crossrunner worked best, it somehow looked right; more balanced, more fun, than the bigger 1200.
Over on Ducati’s stand the new Diavel was firing up the crowds. This chunky power cruiser features the trademark Ducati V-twin Testaretta engine, putting out a meaty 162bhp, with a slipper clutch adding a sportbike touch to a machine that’s a rival to the V-MAX and Harley Night Rod. We did a totally unscientific test, asking just five random visitors on the Ducati stand, and discovered the black painted carbon model was the `hot one.’
Britain’s Got Biking Talent ( BGBT ) had its prize giving on the opening day of the show, with Steve Stone’s Yoshimura GSXR1000 Suzuki special taking the top slot. Steve built himself a road going version of a BSB racer basically and he looked chuffed to take the honours in the competition organised by Carole Nash and MCN.
Second place went to Nik Wallis and a Malaguti MX 50 moped, restored by pupils at Spilsbury School in Lincolnshire. A brilliant `hands-on’ project for the school kids, Nik told insidebikes how enthusiastic the kids became;
“One girl wanted to paint the fuel tank and spent hours and hours just getting it right, she was determined to do her best,” said Nik, ” and the moped was basically just a box of bits when we got it. Now the class agree that it’s too nice to razz around a field – I guess we’ll have to get used to being on the show circuit instead!”
The BGBT prizes were awarded by former Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules, who played the Cat in the legendary sci-fi series, with Danny being a keen biker himself;
“Man, I love riding my Yamaha R1,” Danny told insidebikes, “but I have admit as I’m getting a bit older I like tooling around London on my Harley Softail as well, it’s just more comfortable. The dream is to have a bike that suits every mood, every kinda weather I suppose.”
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
Over on the Royal Enfield stand the Fury flat-tracker was causing a stir. Insidebikes spoke with Watsonian-Squire, the UK Enfield importers who created the new model;
“We wanted something truly different,” explained Rob Jones, “and the factory are happy to let us develop custom models for the UK market. The bike is a modified EFI Enfield 500, with a new tank and seat unit, which we had made by a UK supplier who specialises in parts for flat-trackers. We had to widen the seat unit to fit out frame rails, then we added a `tidy’ unit underneath, just to gather all the electrics safely in there. The response at the show has been excellent, young and older riders alike seem to really like it, especially the red and blue painted model. Price should be around £5800 and there will be a few available in December before the VAT increase.”
Motorcycle Live has plenty of themed areas, highlighting how diversified UK biking culture has become. From Custom Xtreme, where custom built chops, lowriders, bobbers and street fighters all catch the eye. There are demo rides for novices at Get On, the Joy of Six Classic Zone and a chance to meet road racing personalities in the Arai Entertainment Zone – there is a terrific diversity across the show halls at the NEC.
Insidebikes spoke with Rugby biker Andy Gibbs, who was browsing touring bike accessories in The Escape Zone;
“I’m here on the opening day looking at the adventure touring bikes, as I own a BMW 1200 GS and am always keen to see if other manufacturers are getting closer to equalling that fantastic all-rounder motorcycle. So far, I am not sure that the Triumph 800 would have the power I need for two-up riding, but the Ducati Multistrada looks a lean, sporty kind of bike, and is packed with technology. The Honda Crosstourer is an interesting idea, but maybe Honda could have made a modern version of the Africa Twin instead.”
Andy was checking the Touratech accessories for his bike at the show, but summed up what the NEC experience at Motorcycle Live;
“For me, it is all about the bikes. It’s great that the manufacturers are all back this year, as nice as it is top shop for bargains, you can do that online now, so the show has to have all the new models here.”
Motorcycle Live has the bikes if you have the passion. Te show is open 10am-5pm weekdays, 10am – 6pm at the weekend and runs until Sunday 5th December 2010.
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