Scottish motorbike show this weekend
Discussion
Is anybody actually going to this? Its genuinely embarrassing how poor it is- hardly any manufacturers full of irrelevant tat like sweet stands and too expensive. Add to that having it in march with crap weather... ive already booked the nec bike show for this november. Different planet- dozens of bike manufacturers for a start!
By all accounts and promo it looks like it should be better this year, some of the brands seems to have put a bit more effort into marketing and their guests.
I went last year so try and find a pair of boots. budget of £2-400 and a decent pair of gloves around the £150ish mark and I couldn't find either. The vast majority is budget crap gear thats the same stuff that is there every year with a 'special show price' which is probably 10/15% more than you can get it online (I don't really mind that as being able to handle/try on is worth a premium to some).
I spent the far longest time in the back hall where the bikes were on display, thats the best part of the show by a mile and would be the only reason I would be tempted to go again.
I went last year so try and find a pair of boots. budget of £2-400 and a decent pair of gloves around the £150ish mark and I couldn't find either. The vast majority is budget crap gear thats the same stuff that is there every year with a 'special show price' which is probably 10/15% more than you can get it online (I don't really mind that as being able to handle/try on is worth a premium to some).
I spent the far longest time in the back hall where the bikes were on display, thats the best part of the show by a mile and would be the only reason I would be tempted to go again.
I've never been inclined to go before, but we're going on Sunday, mostly as I fancy weighing up the next bike options. Seems like the number of local dealers had improved compared to previous years and I'm hoping there will be a decent selection of bikes to sit on. No BMW, Honda, Aprillia or MG, but we can see all of that in Glasgow. Interested in the classics and customs, not interested in tat, and the only thing on the shopping list is brake cleaner.
I went last year as my o/h had just passed her test and wanted to go. Unbelievably it had gotten worse, cost me £50 or something for 3 tickets and then a fiver parking on top of that.
It does look much better this year however, this time 12 months ago the only decent stand was KTM, but it was heaving with it being the first you see as you walk in though the doors, you could barely get near the bikes to sit on them. I remember saying I'm not that arsed with KTM and kinda walked away from it, 6 months later there is 3 sat in the garage, it just shows you how much of an influence it had on me.....
The classics hall can be nice, but its the same bikes every year now. Very little in terms of decent gear on offer, just loads of sweet stalls. I'd go again if it was £10 on the day not £20 and free parking, or if it wasn't in the middle of f
king March. Thankfully the o/h is working all weekend so I wont get dragged to it.
It does look much better this year however, this time 12 months ago the only decent stand was KTM, but it was heaving with it being the first you see as you walk in though the doors, you could barely get near the bikes to sit on them. I remember saying I'm not that arsed with KTM and kinda walked away from it, 6 months later there is 3 sat in the garage, it just shows you how much of an influence it had on me.....
The classics hall can be nice, but its the same bikes every year now. Very little in terms of decent gear on offer, just loads of sweet stalls. I'd go again if it was £10 on the day not £20 and free parking, or if it wasn't in the middle of f
king March. Thankfully the o/h is working all weekend so I wont get dragged to it. Just about to load-up a couple of bikes to take across for the Classics hall. I gather there will be a few more manufacturers at the show this year and some Knockhill 50th something-or-other with Foggy? Anyway, I spend my time in the classics hall (which not every visitor realises is there!) rabbiting-on about old bikes to other old blokes. I've entered the Hurricane for the outside start-up sessions...assuming the bloody thing starts (embarrassingly it took about 50 kicks one time) but it does sound glorious when it goes.
Anyway, I'll be mooching around the Classics hall for 2 days mainly around the VMCC and TR3OC stands
Anyway, I'll be mooching around the Classics hall for 2 days mainly around the VMCC and TR3OC stands
svracers said:
Thanks for the replies everyone, pretty much confirming what i thought. Im heading down to the nec bike show in november. £70 return with easyjet from glasgow, £70 for a hotel room nearby and dozens of manufacturers and it is about 10 times bigger. No brainer for me
For those kind of costs have a look at EICMA the week before, it’s a far bigger and better show than the NEC. Back from dropping the bikes off; bloody rain 
they were clean when I left home. Looks like there’s a bar now in the classics hall, not that it will do me much good as I’m driving.
Some familiar bikes on display, but also some very very tasty stuff that I hadn’t seen before. Particularly taken with a trident trackmaster, trident motor in a flat tracker frame; excellent build.
Didn’t venture in to the main hall…but I gather better than last year. But my interest doesn’t really go beyond the classics. Got the Hurricane, Chief and Corgi there
they were clean when I left home. Looks like there’s a bar now in the classics hall, not that it will do me much good as I’m driving. Some familiar bikes on display, but also some very very tasty stuff that I hadn’t seen before. Particularly taken with a trident trackmaster, trident motor in a flat tracker frame; excellent build.
Didn’t venture in to the main hall…but I gather better than last year. But my interest doesn’t really go beyond the classics. Got the Hurricane, Chief and Corgi there
DrEMa said:
Might head along with my son tomorrow afternoon as I live about 10 mins away (Broxburn). Fancy speaking to one or two of the custom build companies as I've lost all motivation with my sportster.
Don’t let him drive, I’ve been on the receiving end of his tactics 
.I considered travelling up for this but the flight costs have gone silly. That and the NEC is only a 3hr drive for me when it’s on.
Might try and get over to EICMA this year as I’ve never been before.
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