Motorcycle Live 2024
Discussion
Not been for a few years now.
Some nice new models being released so it is tempting to go and have a sit on them but not quite enough to make me go.
The best years I went was when I was working on a stand, getting there for 8am you had the whole show to wander around when nobody else was there apart from staff.
The excitement from everyone working the last day when all the doors shut you could feel growing by the minute as the time got closer. Then had to spend however long taking the stall down and trying to get loaded into your vans and trucks. This was a nightmare as everyone was trying to do the same ended up pushing half the stuff up the back approach road.. bikes are much more of a bugger to push a distance than you would think!
Some nice new models being released so it is tempting to go and have a sit on them but not quite enough to make me go.
The best years I went was when I was working on a stand, getting there for 8am you had the whole show to wander around when nobody else was there apart from staff.
The excitement from everyone working the last day when all the doors shut you could feel growing by the minute as the time got closer. Then had to spend however long taking the stall down and trying to get loaded into your vans and trucks. This was a nightmare as everyone was trying to do the same ended up pushing half the stuff up the back approach road.. bikes are much more of a bugger to push a distance than you would think!
I did the Scottish show some years ago, and the NEC show is way better by comparison, so if you are using that as your reference I'd say go.
However, the Milan show is the one to go to in my opinion, but that isn't your question.
I go to the NEC show every few years and every visit I wonder why I go, the show gets smaller at every iteration, less manufacturers, seemingly an influx of electric bikes like Surrons, chinese bikes etc and the bargains seem to have gone. Then you throw in parking and food/drink it's not a cheap day out.... Unless there's a new bike or I'm considering a new bike, I don't bother going now to be honest. But what else is there to do on a wet miserable November weekend as a biker?
Last year I went to the classic car show instead at the NEC, free parking! And much bigger than the bike show, in fact there were some bikes to drool over also... so good I've opted for that again this year over the bike show.
However, the Milan show is the one to go to in my opinion, but that isn't your question.
I go to the NEC show every few years and every visit I wonder why I go, the show gets smaller at every iteration, less manufacturers, seemingly an influx of electric bikes like Surrons, chinese bikes etc and the bargains seem to have gone. Then you throw in parking and food/drink it's not a cheap day out.... Unless there's a new bike or I'm considering a new bike, I don't bother going now to be honest. But what else is there to do on a wet miserable November weekend as a biker?
Last year I went to the classic car show instead at the NEC, free parking! And much bigger than the bike show, in fact there were some bikes to drool over also... so good I've opted for that again this year over the bike show.
Freakuk said:
the bargains seem to have gone. Then you throw in parking and food/drink it's not a cheap day out....
Definitely correct on this. Nothing really cheap, the helmets, jackets, boots etc. are the same ones there every year (and every other show they do too), slap a bargain sticker on it and hope no-body notices.The food and drink is astronomically expensive as they have got you trapped, parking the same. I mean you can get there on the train but even then that's more expensive than parking.
Probably going to this but I'm unhappy that once again the piaggio group are not at the show.
I ride a aprilia v4 and my misses a vespa., she now fancies an aprilia and I'm interested in a moto guzzi but as they are not at the show I'm sure we will be looking at other manufacturers wares. Their loss.
I ride a aprilia v4 and my misses a vespa., she now fancies an aprilia and I'm interested in a moto guzzi but as they are not at the show I'm sure we will be looking at other manufacturers wares. Their loss.
Time4another said:
Anyone planning on going?
Have never been and tempted to go, only thing putting me off is the jaunt down from Glasgow.
If you’re travelling that far to visit the NEC I’d seriously look at visiting EICMA in Milan the week before.Have never been and tempted to go, only thing putting me off is the jaunt down from Glasgow.
Given that there is going to be an element of travelling cost from Glasgow to Birmingham and back you might find that a couple of days in Milan isn’t as expensive as you might think.
The show itself is 10x what Motorcycle Live is.
Arlen said:
The food and drink is astronomically expensive as they have got you trapped,
It’s more likely that it’s expensive as the convention have the food sellers trapped, so they will be paying huge fees that they need to recoup. It’s often misunderstood where the money goes in these dynamics. Typically the landlord or equivalent.
Dingu said:
Arlen said:
The food and drink is astronomically expensive as they have got you trapped,
It’s more likely that it’s expensive as the convention have the food sellers trapped, so they will be paying huge fees that they need to recoup. It’s often misunderstood where the money goes in these dynamics. Typically the landlord or equivalent.
Dingu said:
It’s more likely that it’s expensive as the convention have the food sellers trapped, so they will be paying huge fees that they need to recoup.
It’s often misunderstood where the money goes in these dynamics. Typically the landlord or equivalent.
I know it is down to the NEC not Motorcycle Live setting the prices.It’s often misunderstood where the money goes in these dynamics. Typically the landlord or equivalent.
airsafari87 said:
If you’re travelling that far to visit the NEC I’d seriously look at visiting EICMA in Milan the week before.
Given that there is going to be an element of travelling cost from Glasgow to Birmingham and back you might find that a couple of days in Milan isn’t as expensive as you might think.
The show itself is 10x what Motorcycle Live is.
If I was going solo then I'd be all over that. Regularly fly into Bergamo with work and that would be cheaper than a return train ticket to Birmingham. Plan on taking my daughter down with me and possible the minister of war and finance.Given that there is going to be an element of travelling cost from Glasgow to Birmingham and back you might find that a couple of days in Milan isn’t as expensive as you might think.
The show itself is 10x what Motorcycle Live is.
Freakuk said:
Dingu said:
Arlen said:
The food and drink is astronomically expensive as they have got you trapped,
It’s more likely that it’s expensive as the convention have the food sellers trapped, so they will be paying huge fees that they need to recoup. It’s often misunderstood where the money goes in these dynamics. Typically the landlord or equivalent.
I've been every year since getting back into biking - I always find I run out of time
But I'm happy to look at all the bikes, I'll have a ride on an Africa Twin on an off road course, try an electric bike on the road (won't do that again as they're awful) but I'll try something unusual previous rides have been a Rocket 3 and 1290 SDR
Then last year I wanted a new helmet so tried a load on and bought a cheap Shoei
Easy to get to and from on a bike - I wouldn't consider going in a car, leaving was horrific - free, indoor bike parking
According to the ads they're adding (optional) bands etc for those wanting to make more of an event
I take my own food and drink - leave it with the bike
It's a great day out IMO
But I'm happy to look at all the bikes, I'll have a ride on an Africa Twin on an off road course, try an electric bike on the road (won't do that again as they're awful) but I'll try something unusual previous rides have been a Rocket 3 and 1290 SDR
Then last year I wanted a new helmet so tried a load on and bought a cheap Shoei
Easy to get to and from on a bike - I wouldn't consider going in a car, leaving was horrific - free, indoor bike parking
According to the ads they're adding (optional) bands etc for those wanting to make more of an event
I take my own food and drink - leave it with the bike
It's a great day out IMO
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