Yeah going on the Friday, been to the NEC a few times but never been to this one before so see what it’s like. Traveling from the South West so planned to drive to Hounslow and then tube it from there.
A load of Foreign toot and stuff that's not related to biking, getting worse every year. Might as well be called the MCN/ anything goes Bazzar. some of the Asian stands selling fake/copies of one piece suits is a joke and really dangerous to whoever rides in them.
I’m going on Friday. It’s easy for me to get there and it’s motorbikes so why not. Nothing like as big as the NEC show.
What I struggle with is why the motorcycle exhibitions (NEC &MCN) charge the customer fairly highly for entry, especially when it's proven to have a hugely negative impact on footfall no matter what exhibition it is. It's as though the commercial strategy from both the organisers and exhibitors is the wrong way round. Ok it's a different industry, but I attend both as a customer or exhibitor lots of exhibitions around the world which are free entry (food & parking still astronomical) The exhibitors pay for the stand builds and floor space (electrics on top via contract sparkys) most with the intention of selling capital equipment well in excess of a motorcycle value or at least generating a large amount of quality leads to close later. Essentially the payback for the exhibitor is getting a higher volume of sales leads to go at, and for the organisers it's from the exhibitors willing to pay for the floor space knowing that the sales opportunities are high due to the footfall figures. It's not that I have a problem attending one of these motorcycle shows or even occasionally paying, but when I've been it feels like a 'show and tell' event more so than the brands actually trying to offer deals and close sales off the back of it. Show and tell is all very well, but it's not selling and it's not as though most can't be gleaned from the Internet or dealership visit later. However, If they all went there with the strong intention of actually selling their products supported by various offers to encourage commitment, thus generating quality leads for their dealership channel, it's far more likely to encourage more attendees and especially those in a buying position. This one in February is a great example, it's perfect timing for the uk as motorcyclists are fed up with the shit winter and there's a lot of pent up spending on new machines just waiting for spring to arrive and new reg plates from March. You'd have thought an event like this with loads of brand offers to encourage a deposit or sale would benefit everyone, punters and dealerships alike.
It makes me laugh watching the young men being dragged into the wedding show opposite. Motor cycle and cycling shows across the way..... it's like a last chance to escape. ....
Tbh I don’t know why I’m going, just bought a bike so not in the market, the accessories etc aren’t usually a bargain anymore (probably because footfall is down because the organisers charge so much and so the exhibitors don’t have the chance to make so much money?) If I want to look at a new bike just go along to the dealers when they’ve got them in, you can actually get close to it, sit on it and even take out a demo so why pay £20+ for the privilege? when my mate asked it seemed like a good idea at the time but I always end up questioning my decision closer to the time Makes me laugh the way they make great claims about free parking if you ride to the event.........in November and FEBRUARY!!!!! (Bet they wouldn’t offer free parking if the event was in August?) I think next time I’ll book a flight and go to Spain, that’s a proper bike exhibition by all accounts?
I don't see why the 2 big bike shows are in November and February. April and September I'd probably go along for a ride out.
It was ok, sat on a few new bikes, liked the CCM’s for their attention to detail, the supercharged z h2 thingy is still butt ugly in the flesh, the V4 street fighter is Mate bought a new lid and a few other bits and bobs, couldn’t find anything I could be bothered to buy and lug home with me. We were all done within 3hrs, doubt I’d bother again.
went yesterday with my boy, usual crummy stuff as always, not sure why some magnet band holistic sellers were there? 3 in total, anyhow did it in an hour as i do so worth the £23?
My mate bought the tickets backing Dec so they were £16, doubt I'd pay that again, let alone £23! Currently return flights and hotel for a long weekend next Nov to Milan can be had for as little as £100
