Seven of us in two cars attended the NEC Bike Show (or Motorcycle Live to give it it's proper title) on the penultimate day of the show. Mick and Malc both drove their own cars and with different passenger pick up points, we met at Woodall Services on the Southbound M1 at 8:00am. After a quick hello and chat, we set off in convoy and made amazing time, arriving at the NEC at 9:30am (no speeding either as most of the M1 is 50MPH with endless road works and speed cameras aplenty). Jagster produced bacon butties for us all which he had bought from a sarnie shop in Dodworth, so we munched on these whilst waiting for the doors to open at 10:00am. Talking of Jagster, the little love was a bit delicate as he had only got in at 2:30am, a mere few hours earlier, somewhat heavily refreshed if you know what I mean.
Upon the doors opening and a mad stampede to rival the January Sales, we all split up and did our own thing.
Quite taken with the new Indian range, and the Scout is a quite reasonable 10K (for that genre of bike), but it goes to silly prices (22K+) for the top of the range Chieftan models.
We had agreed to meet back up on the Harley stand at 12:00. A quick drink and bite to eat, then back looking at the bikes and the traders stands.
Tracy was most impressed with the Victory Hammer
Steve wants Santa to bring him a Ducati Diavel this Christmas ..... Dream on Travis !!!!
Tracy liked Guy Martin's 2014 TT race bike
Martin got to grips with a Yamaha R1
Malc had a go on a little 250 Herald
Actually, these are quite nice little bikes, and there is a lovely little 125cc trial bike, in the style of the old 1950's and 60's Brit trial bikes of the era, with a wickedly short silencer, that you know will just sound quite lovely. Chinese made but heavily quality controlled by the British Importer - well worth a look if you are in the market for that kind of bike.
Steve practiced his gurning whilst sat on Kawasaki's new super scoot .... you didn't know Kawasaki made scooters ... they didn't, but they do now, and it's a beaut !!!
Mick tried out the KTM Tiger / 1200GS Equivalent ... and quite liked it
We all visited the MAG stand (well, it would be rude not to). It was a little tucked out of the way, and not in a brilliant spot for passing trade. However, Selina and Mitch reported a healthy interest and a good number of new members signing up (more new than renewals) which is always good to hear. By about 3:30ish we were all flagging a bit but Mick somehow found the enthusiasm to soldier on ...
By 4:30 we had seen and done it to death, so decided to call it a day and made our way home, again, hassle free again (must be a record for a trip to the NEC). Splitting the parking and petrol and pre-ordering the tickets, meant it had cost us £27 each. Expensive but about the cheapest way you could do it (unless you set off 2 days in advance on a moped).
But, a most splendid day was had by all with lots of banter and p!ss taking, which is what it's all about.