Bike Show Today
- Thread starter fatbaldbob
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cunning fox
Registered user
saw this one, legs like a greyhound......right up to the hare
The BMW stand had
The new HP2 Sport
The new 800GS
The new 650GS
The new 1200GS
The new 1200GS ADV
F800s with lowered suspension
F800ST
K1200R
K1200S
K1200GT
R1200RT
Charlie Boormans Bike
videos, posters, leaflets
12 staff on hand to answer questions and take details
small selection of the new clothing range
What where you expecting?
troops of dancing girls
a fanfare when you walked in
Yeh, but no discounts!!!
I thought the show was fine. I know there was a bus load of folk up from around Leeds, and they left at about 5.30 a.m. to get to Edinburgh yesterday, and then were going straight back home at the end of the show. Having put in all that effort, then it might be considered not worth the money. Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, HD/Buell, Shirlaws with the Guzzi stuff. Triumph had a clothes stand, and Shirlaws had the bikes. I do think there were less glamour girls there this year than in previous years, and if that spoiled your day out, I feel sorry for you - in fact, no I do not feel sorry for you at all.
The show was fine. Wish I knew about the Sun offer though.
H.R.H. Nashskye
Guest
The BMW stand had
The new HP2 Sport
The new 800GS
The new 650GS
The new 1200GS
The new 1200GS ADV
F800s with lowered suspension
F800ST
K1200R
K1200S
K1200GT
R1200RT
Charlie Boormans Bike
videos, posters, leaflets
12 staff on hand to answer questions and take details
small selection of the new clothing range
What where you expecting?
troops of dancing girls
a fanfare when you walked in
The Beemer stand, along with KTM, were the most impressive, not being biased or owt! I was wanting to see Charlie's bike, but the Beemer stand was crammed all day, they must have heard about internationally known Stumpy!
Didn't Go - At Last!!
We've gone to the Scottish show most years - since the days of the McLellan Galleries in Glasgow
- must be 30+ years
but 2 years ago we were disappointed and said "we'd give it a miss next year" - but, stupidly, we went back last year which was at least as bad as the one before, so this year, even though we were both off all weekend, we gave it a miss
- and it doesn't sound like we missed much!!.
I think it started to go downhill when MCN took over and so far there's no sign of them waking up and improving things. I think they've priced out at lot of the small, interesting exibitors and if you go as a couple it's a fairly pricey day oot - unless you new about the Sun offer of course!
Cheers..........................Grizzly
We've gone to the Scottish show most years - since the days of the McLellan Galleries in Glasgow
- must be 30+ years but 2 years ago we were disappointed and said "we'd give it a miss next year" - but, stupidly, we went back last year which was at least as bad as the one before, so this year, even though we were both off all weekend, we gave it a miss - and it doesn't sound like we missed much!!.I think it started to go downhill when MCN took over and so far there's no sign of them waking up and improving things. I think they've priced out at lot of the small, interesting exibitors and if you go as a couple it's a fairly pricey day oot - unless you new about the Sun offer of course!
Cheers..........................Grizzly
200 mile round trip, £3 to get your feet covered in mud (if you went in the car), queue for 20 mins in the rain and pay £15 for the privilage of being a captive sales audience, and apart from Charlie's bike, all to see stuff that is available in any dealership (cheaper in most cases) any day of the week
It was crap! The highlight was looking at all the bikes in the car park and saying hello to a few fellow GS'ers.
It was crap! The highlight was looking at all the bikes in the car park and saying hello to a few fellow GS'ers.
Go to the MCe insurance stand, there's a girl with the worlds longest legs and the worlds smallest shorts
She was Yum!
(built like a Norwegian Racing Sardine )Al
She was Yum!
Al
Hmm, sounds a bit fishy to me...........................
Better than "fudgy"
Al
You seem to be just as well versed in these things as Johnnie
Ah well, probably a case of practise makes perfect................
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Well - I actually thought the bike show was okay but based on yesterdays comments I wasn't expecting too much. Stumpy wasn't at the BMW stand today (Sunday) and everytime I wentr to have a chat with Judge he was with customers so I think he had a good show.
Best stand of the show for me was actually Shirlaws of Aberdeen who were showing Moto Guzzis and Aprilia's. The new Guzzi Stevlio is just superb and looks solid like the older R1150GS.
I really did lioke the New F800GS too and all of you that have bought one of thiose I recn you have got yourselves a great bike there wityh Far more off road ability if you want it than the 1150/1200's. Looks really nice too.
I did a tour of the insurance stands (nothing to do with the Totty - honestly
) and managed to get a multi bike policy for all 5 of my bikes for £475 which is cheaper than my current policy which only covers 4 of them and I need a separate policy for my HP2. In reality this has saved me about £200-300. It was through Quick Fit which is only a Front and the Insurance is Equity Red Start which lots of comapnies use - so I was a happy camper and decided to splash out £5 on a checken sandwich
Next stop was the classic bike stands which although I'm not a fan of classic (or custom ) bikes I do admire the effort these guys put into them. It was whilost over there I spoke to the guys on the Scottish Auto-Cycle Union and in particular the Enduro comittee top bod. It wasn't good news and he confirmed there are only 2 green lanes he knows of in the whole of Scotland, these are the Coriach Pass and one just south of Dunbar (Ideal for Forry to report on). He also told me that the Scottish ACU organise an Enduro series with about 12 rounds each year and on the weekend of 22/23rd March is the big one with the Current World Champion David Knight racing in it along side Paul Edmondson so it should be fantastic to watch. Its up near Lossiemouth but unfortunately I'll be offshore...
Anyway Pics will follow when I can find my USB lead.
All in all I thought it was okay. Tash was right about the lassie n the Nick Sanders stand too
Best stand of the show for me was actually Shirlaws of Aberdeen who were showing Moto Guzzis and Aprilia's. The new Guzzi Stevlio is just superb and looks solid like the older R1150GS.
I really did lioke the New F800GS too and all of you that have bought one of thiose I recn you have got yourselves a great bike there wityh Far more off road ability if you want it than the 1150/1200's. Looks really nice too.
I did a tour of the insurance stands (nothing to do with the Totty - honestly
) and managed to get a multi bike policy for all 5 of my bikes for £475 which is cheaper than my current policy which only covers 4 of them and I need a separate policy for my HP2. In reality this has saved me about £200-300. It was through Quick Fit which is only a Front and the Insurance is Equity Red Start which lots of comapnies use - so I was a happy camper and decided to splash out £5 on a checken sandwichNext stop was the classic bike stands which although I'm not a fan of classic (or custom ) bikes I do admire the effort these guys put into them. It was whilost over there I spoke to the guys on the Scottish Auto-Cycle Union and in particular the Enduro comittee top bod. It wasn't good news and he confirmed there are only 2 green lanes he knows of in the whole of Scotland, these are the Coriach Pass and one just south of Dunbar (Ideal for Forry to report on). He also told me that the Scottish ACU organise an Enduro series with about 12 rounds each year and on the weekend of 22/23rd March is the big one with the Current World Champion David Knight racing in it along side Paul Edmondson so it should be fantastic to watch. Its up near Lossiemouth but unfortunately I'll be offshore...
Anyway Pics will follow when I can find my USB lead.
All in all I thought it was okay. Tash was right about the lassie n the Nick Sanders stand too
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I felt sorry for these 2 guys in pic1. They had been turned away from the BMW Owners club and told to come back when they were old enough so went checking out the Yamaha Scooters.......
I was supposed to be meeting Forry there but he was to sore after his Saturday Trail ride. I notice they still had a few Toasters left for him and his Orange buddies
There was even some thing there for every taste including a 1959 MV Agusta - they have certainly come a long way since then.
My only purchase of the day (apart from my Chicken Sandwich ) was a pair of hand gaurds for my Husqvarna for the bargain price of £14.
I was supposed to be meeting Forry there but he was to sore after his Saturday Trail ride. I notice they still had a few Toasters left for him and his Orange buddies
There was even some thing there for every taste including a 1959 MV Agusta - they have certainly come a long way since then.
My only purchase of the day (apart from my Chicken Sandwich ) was a pair of hand gaurds for my Husqvarna for the bargain price of £14.
Attachments
We spent a bit of time on the Aprilia/Moto Guzzi stand as well.
Fiona who currently rides a Yamaha MT03
Is struggling with the clutch due to a weakness in her left hand(Her right hand works just fine). While at the show we looked at the Aprilia Mana 850. no clutch fully automatic mode with sport, standard and wet weather mode or manual change via either foot lever or handlebar buttons. It could be the answer . We just need to work out the best Aprilia dealer in the area and head off for a test ride
Fiona who currently rides a Yamaha MT03
Is struggling with the clutch due to a weakness in her left hand(Her right hand works just fine
). While at the show we looked at the Aprilia Mana 850. no clutch fully automatic mode with sport, standard and wet weather mode or manual change via either foot lever or handlebar buttons. It could be the answer . We just need to work out the best Aprilia dealer in the area and head off for a test ride
I think you're right Andy.
One can't blame disappointment on a smaller show on those who are there !
Although I came away thinking that the show was getting smaller, I still enjoyed seeing the bikes (again - I rode to the NEC Show last November).
It takes a lot of committment to exhibit at shows - and still do the 'day job'. Hopefully the Industry finds it a worthwhile showcase or we'll be left to visit Dealers on our own. Would I travel far to look at Guzzis ? probably not, but I'm still interested in them.
Talking of which, I see the new Stelvio is billed as the Ultimate Touring Machine. Do they still make the 'Norge' (I didn't see one at the show) ? I guess the Stelvio = the BMW GS and the 'Norge' = the BMW RT. Nice bikes.
I went by car (and gave a neighbour a lift) - No I didn't wear a bike jacket
Bob.
Phil Clarke
Registered user
We went sunday - a part form the excess of cheap and nasty clothing / leathers etc. we thought it was ok. highlight of the show was watching Steve Colley hop a beta trials bike 26 times with no front forks or wheel. The globe riders were good as well - nice to see a stunt show where there is actual real danger.
No G450 on the BM stand tho!
And as for all the wifeys in the skimpy gear - FFS eat some bleedin food!
No G450 on the BM stand tho!
And as for all the wifeys in the skimpy gear - FFS eat some bleedin food!
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The Norge is still on sale and they have a Demo at Shirlaws. My colleaguge test rode it last week and loved it. He has had Guzzis before and since bought 2 triumphs but yearns for another guzzi. I really liked the Guzzis and Aprilias, they are leaving the Japs way behind in the style stakes.
Had a bit of a think about the show, and what we think should and shouldn’t have been there………….
Yeah – we all want to see stands from the likes of:
MetalMule
Touratech
Caja Sahel
Wunderlich
Nippy Normans
Starcom
Autocom
Metzeler
etc
in addition to all the major bike manufacturers.
But – let’s face up to the fact that companies have to take a critical look at the potential sales generated by having a presence at a bike show. Unless the cost of appearing at the show, including time taken, transport, accommodation etc is covered by increased sales – then it must be hard to justify.
I think the pannier manufacturers (for example - cos you know how much thought we put into selecting them) - do very well from the likes of UKGSer events and general outdoor exposure, where we all have a poke about at all the different set-ups and then make our first/next purchases based on that, not from what can be gleaned from a stand at a bike show.
Maintaining a stand at a bike show isn’t about “giving something” back to the biking fraternity – there has to be a tangible return for the cost.
Lots of stands selling cheap tools and bits and bobs – some of them fairly keenly priced, and lets face it – how strong does an M6 socket have to be?? Some fairly reasonably priced boots and helmets from major manufacturers too.
I found myself wondering about parents hoisting young kids on to display bikes - but if you think about it further - maybe the kids are getting their appetites whetted for the future - thereby guaranteeing a market?
So – what do people want at a bike show? I’m keen to understand, cos I’m not sure
(mindful of the need to justify the presence – financially)
Any ideas?
Al
(I'm still waiting for Stumpy to deliver the free HP2S from the BMW stand......... FFS - we shook on it)
Yeah – we all want to see stands from the likes of:
MetalMule
Touratech
Caja Sahel
Wunderlich
Nippy Normans
Starcom
Autocom
Metzeler
etc
in addition to all the major bike manufacturers.
But – let’s face up to the fact that companies have to take a critical look at the potential sales generated by having a presence at a bike show. Unless the cost of appearing at the show, including time taken, transport, accommodation etc is covered by increased sales – then it must be hard to justify.
I think the pannier manufacturers (for example - cos you know how much thought we put into selecting them
) - do very well from the likes of UKGSer events and general outdoor exposure, where we all have a poke about at all the different set-ups and then make our first/next purchases based on that, not from what can be gleaned from a stand at a bike show. Maintaining a stand at a bike show isn’t about “giving something” back to the biking fraternity – there has to be a tangible return for the cost.
Lots of stands selling cheap tools and bits and bobs – some of them fairly keenly priced, and lets face it – how strong does an M6 socket have to be?? Some fairly reasonably priced boots and helmets from major manufacturers too.
I found myself wondering about parents hoisting young kids on to display bikes - but if you think about it further - maybe the kids are getting their appetites whetted for the future - thereby guaranteeing a market?
So – what do people want at a bike show? I’m keen to understand, cos I’m not sure
(mindful of the need to justify the presence – financially)Any ideas?
Al
(I'm still waiting for Stumpy to deliver the free HP2S from the BMW stand......... FFS - we shook on it
)
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