Motorcycle Live N.E.C. Birmingham 2012

 

No riding this week. But this time of year brings an annual outing for my brother and myself.

Ever since passing my test the two of us have been to the N.E.C bike show. But this year would be different as my son and a friend from work would be joining us.

My brother volunteered to drive in fact he drives every year as it’s usually too cold and wet for us to take the bikes. Also you can’t buy any amount of gear and get it home if you take the bikes. It’s a simple route M1 then M6 easy enough. However this time as we were merrily trundling up the motorway he nearly shot passed the turning. Aren’t we supposed to be over there? I said to him as the sign boards loomed up. I don’t know, he said. I’m sure we are, I replied. So we made the turn and got there safe and sound. I wonder where we would have ended up otherwise.

The funny thing about the bike show for me is I always go with a long list of things I would like, but never actually buy anything.

 But I do enjoy looking at what’s new in the world of bikes, and hearing what people have to say.

Some of the overheard comments go from the sublime to the ridiculous, and I do wonder if people think before they say things.

One of the funniest things I overheard was between two chaps looking and discussing the purchase of a BMW S 1000 RR. They had obviously done their homework and seemed to know everything there was to know about the bike, so what you may ask is funny about that. Well it became funny when they started to discuss how BMW had shaved ounces off of here and there making the bike pounds lighter and more compact. This would have made good sense, but these guy’s where over 6 foot tall and must have weighed 18 stone plus.

Or the short guys/gals that were looking at and sitting on the supported adventure bikes, but who’s feet were clearly well detached from terra firma.

The show was as always good, but I had gone with the intention of getting a new trials helmet and some boots. Last year there were a few stall that had these items but this year I was unlucky. There were a few motocross helmets and boots but these are not what I wanted.

The show is a tempting place and my brother can home with a shopping list of bikes and a mortgage for a new garage. His list included one of each of the manufactures top sports bikes, and quite bizarrely a Harley Davidson V-Rod. I really can’t see the similarity. But then variety is the spice of life

My son Martin has now, for the time being, decided he would like to take his bike test and treat himself to a bike next year. We will see.

 

My work friend has also decided to take his bike test. He also tried out some bikes preferring the unfaired bikes as they resembled a normal bike, and the fact he is sat more upright, like riding a push bike.

 

Me, I still love my Triumph and have no want to change, but if I to could build a larger garage and money was no object then may be a new dirt bike and a nice MV Agusta Brutale and of cause a Porsche for my lovely wife.

 

I would recommend going to the show, not only do you get to see the new and current bikes from most off the manufactures (who’s ever there). But you get to see custom hand built bikes and vintage bikes too.

 

You can buy all sorts of add-ons and usually there are decent discounts on clothes and helmets and it’s always worth a haggle to make a good deal even better, I’ve also noted walking away can help clench a deal.