As always, the event at the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet on February 18 and 19 is a must, packed with bikes, bits and things to buy for your winter project, and where the latest restorations make their first appearance.

But this year the season really starts with a bang… from the Bonham’s gavel.

The auction house is holding a brand new sale of vintage and classic motorcycles, and Bonhams bosses couldn’t be more delighted.

Ben Walker, Bonhams’ head of motorcycles, said: “We are delighted to have been invited to hold an auction at this ever-popular event. At Bonhams we are always looking to expand our reach and make contact with motorcycle enthusiasts, and we are very excited about being at this show.”

Already confirmed as part of the auction is a superb collection of over 50 ‘barn find’ and low mileage machines which include:

1928 Ariel Model B De Lux (estimate £1000-1500)

1936 Ariel 350cc Red Hunter (estimate £1000-2000)

1946 Norton 16H (estimate £1000-1400)

1947 Velocette KSS (estimate £3000-4000)

1958 Panther Model 100 (estimate £1500-2000)

1960 Velocette Venom (estimate £3000-4000)

1975 Suzuki GT380 (estimate £300-800).

Together with a host of other marques spanning the 1920s to the 1960s.

Mr Walker said: “Barn finds always prove popular and to find a collection as untouched as this is a rare event. The motorcycles on offer are all largely low mileage and have been carefully stored for decades - the tyres even held air when we inflated them.”

The rest of the show is pretty special too, as the thousands of visitors who come every year will confirm. With more than 100 years of motorcycling represented in the exhibitor halls and more than 1000 bikes on display, plus 700 trade stalls and one of the biggest dedicated bike jumbles in the UK, the Bristol show simply represents superb value for money.

You’ll need to arrive early (the show opens at 10am and closes at 5pm on both days) to make the most of it. You can pre-book for £9.50 adult, £8 for seniors and £3.50 for under-15s, but on the day prices are £11, £9.50 and £4.

There’ll be the usual excellent turnout from a variety of clubs which always pulls out the stops for Bristol, while for many classic enthusiasts, it’s the trade stalls and the jumble that take up much of the day.

Show organiser Nick Mowbray said: “Bristol has always been a great curtain-raiser for the season, now it has just got even better. The addition of Bonhams really will make it extra special.”

The 2011 show proved to be a huge success for MCI Exhibitions, attracting a 14% increase in attendance on the 2010 event, and organisers are hoping for yet another thrilling year when the 2012 show opens between November 24 and December 2.

Ticket details for the show, as well as details on the exhibitions and attractions, will be announced later in the year.

Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of MCI Exhibitions, said: “After the overall success of the 2011 show, we are very pleased to confirm the dates for 2012 and look forward to welcoming bike fans and their family and friends to the UK’s biggest motorcycle show.”

Major bike manufacturers such as Triumph, KTM, Ducati, Suzuki, Victory, Honda, Yamaha and Harley Davidson will showcase their new models for 2012. Plus there will be exclusive offers from the dealers on new and 2011 motorbikes.

Thrill seekers can also enjoy stunt shows from Kevin Carmichael and Broke FMX in the outdoor Live Action Zones or head indoors to see ex trials champion Steve Colley perform.

Take a ride down memory lane in the Classic Bike magazine Classics Pavilion where you can find Scotland’s biggest collection of classic motorcycles spanning over 80 years or keep ahead of the trend in the Custom Zone hosted by the House of Custom.

Plus don’t forget to check out the Knockhill Stage, hosted by Moto GP presenter and motorcycle legend Steve Parrish. Steve will be interviewing motorcycle legends as well as giving you the chance to get autographs and pictures with your favourite riders.

Bag a bargain in the Bike Jumble and browse the Retail Village where a host of traders will be able to fit you out with new leathers, boots or helmet. If you want to improve your bike’s appearance there’s a wide array of suppliers to help make your bike stand out from the crowd.

Children under 15 go free and there’s plenty to keep them occupied: the fun fair, extreme rides and inflatables means the Carole Nash MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show is THE place to be for all things bike!

Show is open 9am until 5pm each day. Adult ticket prices start from just £12 when booked in advance or £16 on the door. Senior citizen tickets are £7 in advance or £12 on the door. Parking is £4 per car, motorcycles are free and secure helmet storage is available. To book tickets call the 24hr ticket hotline on 0844 873 7346 or visit www.scottishmotorcycleshow.com where you can find all the latest updates.

As a long-standing supporter of the London show, motorcycle insurance broker Carole Nash is well known for its exciting displays of custom machines and 2012 will be no exception. Highlights will include two stunning Shaw Speed & Custom Harley-Davidson creations - the 2009 Fatboy that was completely dismantled and re-built in support of the film Captain America and the unique Rocker C ‘Mission Impossible’ - so called after the owner’s very specific brief.

As well as seeing these impressive motorcycles, visitors will also have the chance to chat to the Carole Nash staff about all things biking. Experts will be on hand to offer invaluable advice on the best motorbike insurance packages available and provide quotes to suit individual bikers’ needs. The ever-popular Carole Nash girls will be available for photos while they hand out the last of the much sought-after 2012 Carole Nash calendars.

By entering the annual Carole Nash promotion, one lucky visitor could become the proud owner not only of the bike of their dreams, but also the means with which to customise it. The winner will be free to choose any motorcycle of their choice up to the value of £15,000 plus £10,000 for any modifications.

Having paid a visit to the title sponsor’s stand, visitors can head out into the rest of the Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show to experience everything that ‘the greatest bike show on earth’ has to offer. Some of the world’s leading manufacturers will be present displaying their hottest new bikes and accessories, racing stars will be dropping by for autograph signing sessions and visitors will have the chance to make massive savings on kit and accessories.

This year the ticket price includes entry to the unique and action-packed Revolution show - a head-to-head adrenaline fuelled competition featuring some of Britain’s best biking talent, including John McGuinness, Neil Hodgson and David Knight. The advance ticket price of £20 represents great value for anybody with a passion for motorbikes and Carole Nash is proud to continue its support of the show.

“We’re excited about the year of great shows and events ahead as each one provides the perfect opportunity to extend our ongoing commitment to understanding motorcyclists,” explains Carole Nash Events Manager Sarah Griffiths. “It is so important that we are out there in the community, talking to motorcyclists not just about insurance, but about motorcycling as a whole and what makes bikers tick. Everyone is welcome on the Carole Nash stand and we have some great promotions and giveaways planned, so come along and see us if you can.”

See where Carole Nash will be in 2012 in our shows & events calendar.

Hutchinson has suffered a tibia and fibula after twisting his leg during preparations for the show at the ExCeL in London. The damaged leg has been placed in a metal frame and Swan Yamaha could face up to five months out of action.

The Yorkshireman is scheduled to compete for Shaun Muir’s outfit in the British Superbike championship, the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and the Ulster Grand Prix.

It is the second leg-break 18 months for the 31-year-old who crashed at Silverstone in September 2010, just months after securing a historic five TT wins in a week.

Since his crash the eight-times TT winner has undergone 16 operations to fix his tibia and fibula and had to wear an external cage to hold the bones in place while they healed. He returned to racing in November and finished third in the Macau Grand Prix.

Fellow BSB rider Niall MacKenzie will step in to replace Hutchinson in the Revolution Live Show.

With just a couple of weeks until the international press launch of the new 1199 Panigale, anticipation and excitement surrounds this new Superbike with unprecedented demand reported throughout the dealer network.

The ground-breaking 1199 Panigale begins a new chapter in Ducati’s Superbike history setting the benchmark and future for Sportsbikes. The most powerful twin-cylinder production engine on the planet is now an integral part of an innovative monocoque chassis that combine to deliver an astonishing 195hp from 164kg (dry weight) (361.5lb), the highest production motorcycle power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios in the world. The 1199 Panigale also boasts an almost endless specification list that includes ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), Engine Braking Control and Ride-by-wire.

Despite taking centre stage, the 1199 Panigale will have a supporting cast that will include the Diavel (MCN bike of the year 2011), the Multistrada, the new Streetfighter 848 and 848 Evo Corse as well as the Hypermotard and the iconic Monster range.

Ducati UK will be displaying the new 2012 Apparel collection and will have a retail area selling the latest clothing selection available from Bologna. Visitors will also be able to see Ducati Performance accessories on display on selected motorcycles from the range.

The MCN London Motorcycle Show runs from the 2nd to 5th February and tickets can be booked by visiting www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com. For further information about Ducati’s Motorcycle range, accessories, apparel and events and road shows visit www.ducatiuk.com or call 08456 718500

Given the huge success of the event in 2010, when leading bands Mumford & Sons and The Stranglers headlined the festival, the Hinckley-based manufacturer has extended the celebration from one to three days to include live bands; stunt riding shows; championship racing from the Triumph Triple Challenge; factory tours; road, track and off-road demo rides; plus a host of other displays and attractions.

‘Triumph Live’ was launched in 2010 as a celebration of the UK’s biggest motorcycle brand and proved a big hit with around 10,000 bike fans, music lovers and families attending the weekend. Intended as a biennial event, the weekend in 2012 marks 110 years of the iconic brand and is open to riders of all marques.

Visitors will be able to view the latest range of Triumph motorcycles together with a selection of some of the UK’s best customised Triumphs. Key bikes from Triumph’s history will also be on display, as part of a unique exhibition exploring the 110 year anniversary, while those looking to kit themselves out with top quality riding apparel need look no further than the Triumph Clothing Megastore, where there will be a host of bargains waiting to be snapped up.

UK general manager of Triumph Motorcycles, Guy Masters, said: “We were bowled over by the reaction to the 2010 event and are determined to make 2012 even better. Extending the event to three days allows us to include much more for customers to see and do, while the proximity of Mallory Park to the factory gives visitors an unrivalled opportunity to see our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities for themselves. Triumph Live is a great weekend’s entertainment for riders, music lovers and their families alike.”

Early bird tickets are on sale now from the website below, priced at £43 for a weekend pass or £24 for Saturday-only access. Entry for under 16’s is free.

Onsite camping will be available from Thursday until Sunday, including toilet/shower facilities, a secure bike park and safety deposit boxes. Camping costs are £15 per person for the weekend and must be pre-booked.

The “evolution” of the Fireblade will take pride of place on the Honda stand at the ExCeL from Feb 2-5, alongside the entire 2012 Honda range. That will include the NC700X, as well as the V4-engined Crosstourer.

Honda will also be bringing along one of its legendary six-cylinder 250cc GP bikes from the 1960s, which will be started up every day so show-goers can experience one of the most evocative sounds in racing history.

For the kids, Honda is bringing its My First Licence riding area to the London show for the first time after fully-booked session at Motorcycle Live back in November, so 5- to 11-year-olds can have a supervised go on Honda CRF mini-bikes. There’s also a Honda cafe, so you can refuel while the kids are coached from being nervous wobblers to confident riders.

The show also features the spectacular Michelin Revolution Show including the Best of British riders battling it out in two competing teams, with 12 times world trials champion Dougie Lampkin joined by TT ace Ian Hutchinson and World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson.

Steve Parrish brings over 30 years of motorcycling experience to Manchester. He is guaranteed to keep the crowd entertained with his superb sense of humour as he tells a tale or two. If you have a question, then ask away as Steve will be on hand to provide the answer as well as signing autographs throughout the weekend.

One of the hottest bikes on display will be TT racer Guy Martin’s 500bhp turbo café racer, brought to the show by none other than the man himself. Guy, who will be at the show on Saturday to talk about the bike and sign autographs, has built the bike from a 1991 GSX-R1100 but not much of the original bike remains as it now has a 1380cc big bore engine and fuel injection.

Jenny Tinmouth represents the female population in the world of motorbikes by being the fastest woman to ever go around the Isle of Man TT course as well as competing in the 2011 British Superbike Championship and British Supersport Championship.  Chester-born Jenny can tell you what it’s like to be a female racer in a predominately male environment.

On the Hunts Motorcycle Honda stand throughout the weekend will be Guy’s racing opponent and Double TT winner Michael Dunlop.

Adult ticket prices are £10 when booking in advance, £15 on the day. Children under 15 years enter for free when accompanied by a paying adult. The show is open from 10am each day and closes at 5pm. To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.manchestermotorcycleshow.com

In conjunction with three of the North-West based dealers, Millennium Motorcycles, Bolton Motorcycles and Preston Superbikes, the Suzuki stand will feature a selection of models. On display will be the highly regarded V-Strom 650 ABS, featuring the GT pack which offers a host of touring friendly additional features and saves £360 on the cost of the individual parts. As well as the multi-award winning GSR750 and iconic models from the GSX-R range too.

Alan Pollard, Dealer Principal at St Helens based Millenium Motorcycles commented, “We and our fellow dealerships, who are all part of the Moto GB Group, are really looking forward to exhibiting at this show. With the range we are taking along and the new products we have on display it should really bring in the crowds. We welcome all customers to come and say hello, and are more than happy to discuss the great new offer that combines cashback of up to £1,000 on selected models with low rate finance options and deposits from just £1.”

We look forward to seeing you on our stand, 96, from 10:00 - 17:00 both days.

Millenium Motorcycles can be contacted at: Aspinall Place, Thatto Heath Road, Thatto Heath, St Helens, Merseyside. WA9 5PE Tel: 01744 616161 Web: www.mmcbikes.co.uk