I'll be going up there next weekend, the super stocker is on the stand and my old 959 from Ducati Cup days. The super stocker has retired, like me from BSB but I will still be riding it NG Road Racing next season with the other lads.
I've got nothing against the NEC, it's a very good venue, but i'd rather attend a Motorcycle Show in the summer months at a venue like Donington or Oulton Park, during a BSB or WSB race weekend. There is certainly enough space at these venues display the bikes in big marquees, offer free entry to the show with your race ticket, free parking, promote the sport...
Went yesterday, love the free bike parking, it feels special to ride in and walk into the main building (perhaps I'm easily pleased). Put luggage on the bike and got changed into normal clothes. Highlights for me were the Himalayan 450, Kwak 400rr, Ducati Desert X Rally, Maeving electric bike and new Arai X-Tour 5's to try on. I wanted to order some Mosko luggage but just couldnt swallow the pre-delivery tax cost of £1K for two panniers (despite them being lovely), with another 20% + fees to add on in import duties. Lowlights were not remembering where the overhead cameras on the M42 start after being on cruise control since I left the M1 and not paying attention.
Going on Friday with the Ducati-owning neighbour. Train tickets & entry tickets booked, just need decide if we are going out for dinner with the ladies when we get back...
Spent 3 hours walking round it this morning, quite fancied looking at the new Guzzi v100 Mandello but Guzzi were a no show, the place wasn't too busy, the stand out bikes for me were the Yamaha XSR900 GP and Nortons pictured ,the yam is a triple and looked Retro tasty IMO.
