NEC over for another year...some thoughts:
by Firestorm » Sat Dec 01, 2012 8:30 pm
Went today. Highlights?
1. Liked the new V-Strom 1000 a lot - didn't get surveyed though as a Forum Member from Suffolk was keeping her busy!.
2. Triumph Trophy was really nice - but I'd need to take a teenager with me eveywhere I went just to work the myriad buttons that do god knows what!
3. Also liked the Explorer 1200
4. Guzzi V7 cafe Racer was brilliant - want one as a second bike
5. Liked the refreshed FJR
6. Hated everything on the Victory stand
7. Liked the retro CB1100
8. Also liked the Burgman 650
9. Thought the Chinese 650 looked like a shrunken Pan 1300 - I think the pannier lids were direct copies.
10 The best Chinese bike at the show though was, I thought, the new BMW 1200GS. Velly comfy
Piglumps on the chinese bike stand:
"I had a sit on the adjacent naked bike - it's based on the ER-6, looked alright but as with other Chinese bikes may be water-soluble..."
In twenty years time will half the NEC be taken up with chinese bikes?
Jay2 as a first-time attendee:
"Went last Sunday for the first time, was a bit apprehensive after reading all the other posts on here and other sites about not being as good as it used to be.
But as I didn't have anything to compare it to, I had a great day. Spent £5 on a visor cleaning pack, about another £5 on a beer and a coffee through the day, (brought own food after going to previous car shows and knowing the prices for very little), and still came away with a rucksack full of freebies, pens, stickers, key-rings and handy leaflets, brochures.
Highs - Seeing John McGuiness, having a good chat with the BikeSafe blokes, helpfull Datatag staff, being able to see all the new bikes for 2013, touring advice,
Lows - Harley might as well put 'mid-life crisis' as there advert tag-line..."
Much drooling over Triumph Explorers, general disappointment in the paucity of bargains to be had, with many suggesting for them leave it next year or for a year or two...