Motorcycle Show at the NEC

[Philm4]

Just got back from the NEC, I'm looking for a first bike and wanted to start getting some kit. Got myself a Shoei helmet and Alpinestars jacket at for £250. Best bit though was the ride out on a R1200GS. They had loads of bikes to choose from but I have waited for ages to ride a 1200GS. It was only a 20 minute test route in convoy but for someone whos previous "biggest" bike was 1 day on the F650 the power and size were spot on. I know its been said before but the indicators were still a mystery after 20 mins and the gearbox felt very clunky, but I'm sure after practice smooth shifts become second nature.

For £15 show entry it was well worth it, all I will say is if you want to go on the rides get there early to book in, we arrived at 11 and only just got in the 2nd last group of the day as they only take 5 at a time. The offroad riding was already booked out by 11 for the whole day.

Is anyone else going or been?

 

[ncpierce]

Its amazing how quickly you get used the 'quirky' BMW indicators. I had a 650 and find that the indicators on the 1200 are much easier to use and more natural given you use the left one to turn left and the right on to turn right. The only problem is that the cancel button is a pain to reach sometimes but the indicators do cancel themselves .

I also find that gearbox less clunky than on the 650 with noticeable less clunk when taking up drive etc..

 

[zerocool]

I went today and got to see Charlie Boorman and his BMW buddy that went to Dakar with him.

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Plenty of stand with plenty to see, not much in the way or performance parts there IMHO. I was looking for bits for my R6 as well as my beemer.

Nice to see Baglux there!!! Forgot to mention UKGSer discount when I purchased something, but still saved on the delivery.

the ZC

 

[Trippy]

Thats a great picture, thanks for sharing it with us

 

[Lou Can]

They are in whiteout training for the "race to the pole way round" 2008.

LC

 

[blackbird]

I am going to the show on wednesday what bikes do they have to have test rides on ??

 

[marc290y]

Top photo that one, hope you post more

 

[Yoda]

Is that photo from McYedi and Boorman's latest epic "White Way Wound" ?

PhilM - glad you enjoyed your 12GS rideout. They are rather good. I should have been at the show on trade day, but was forced to go on holiday to Egpyt instead. Bumma.

 

[Philm4]

Bikes for test

For the Rideouts,

BMW
K 1200 R
R 1200 GS
K 1200 GT
R 1200 GS Adv
F 800 S
R 1200 S


BUELL
Firebolt
Lghtning
Lightning Long
Ulysses
Lightning Low
City X

HARLEY-DAVIDSON
883 Sportster
Dyna Street Bob
Softail Fatboy
Softail Heritage Classic
Road King Classic
Ultraglide Classic

HONDA
VFR 800
NT 700 Deauville
CB1300SA
CBF 1000
XL 1000 V Varadero
VTX 1800

HYOSUNG
GT 650 R
GT 250
GV 650 Cruiser

KAWASAKI
ER 6 N
ER 6 F
Z 750 S
VN 900 Classic

KTM
990 SuperDuke
990 Adventure
950 Supermoto
LC4 640 model

MARTIN CONQUEST
The Conquest

SUZUKI
DL 650 V-Strom
DL 1000 V-Strom
SV 650
DR-Z400 SM

TRIUMPH
Scrambler
Sprint ST
Bonneville T100
Speed Triple

YAMAHA
FZ 6
FZ 1
MT 03
MT 01
FJR 1300
TDM 900
XT 660 X

Offroad,

YAMAHA
WR450F, WR250F

HONDA
CRF250X, CRF450X

KAWASAKI
KX125.

I have an amazing memory

 

[Uinneag]

Here's one of me shagging Charlie up the duffer whilst eating a bacon roll




































.
Hope you enjoy

 

[Taff]

I am going to the show on wednesday what bikes do they have to have test rides on ??

If you're tempted, don't forget your Driving License.

 

[AndyT]

...

I have an amazing memory

You should buy some for your camera then ;-)

 

[IluvmyGS]

I went yesterday with hubby . . . longest ride ever for me full stop, but my first long trip on my beloved R1200GS . . . a 315 mile round trip from Ipswich to the NEC. I was totally knackered when we got home as we got diverted off the A14 on the way home and got sent to Peterborough before we could get back onto the A1 then A14 again!

It was all well worth it as I got to meet Charley {{{Grrrrrrrr!!}}}

A great show I thought

Cheers

Shirley

 

[JAY]

I
It was all well worth it as I got to meet Charley {{{Grrrrrrrr!!}}}


Shirley

Just what is it that you girls see in Charlie??????


Too many bl**dy GS's at the show - I ended up parked in a long row of near identical red ones!

 

[MrPudding]

I had one for an all day test ride on Saturday. I had a bit of trouble with the indicator cancel button at first as well. The gearbox took a bit of getting used to but towards the middle of the day I was much smoother. It was the first bike I had riden since I passed my direct access on a 500cc 5 weeks ago, it was....interesting.

I want one.

Went to the bike show my self then on Sunday. Enjoyed that, missed all the ride outs though. Charlie is soooo dreamy.

MrP

 

[Andy B]

KTM

When I went on Friday, the queues to book a ride out were terrible. However, went back at lunchtime and queue gone. Problem - less choice, but having a 1200GS and having tried the Adventure, I jumped on a KTM 990 Adventure.

Even in the limited environment of a ride out, I was very impressed. Chuckability of a 650GS with the power of a 1200GS. Wouldn't chop in the GS for one, but I would seriously consider the KTM as a second bike. Couldn't stop chuckling!

Crap gear change!

 

[T0SA]

It was all well worth it as I got to meet Charley {{{Grrrrrrrr!!}}}

My girlfriend is very keen on Charlie for some reason, we went on sunday and she was cursing him for not turning up, it wasn't till we got back that we realized the clocks had gone back! She was gutted...Oh yeah, me too..

 

[bmwbikeruk]

Knackered?? How about a K1200LT or a faster K1200GT next time? You'll be fresh as a daisy!

I had a good time there with my group of deaf bikers on Sat.

Mike
R1200GS Adventure (almost as fresh as LT or GT!)

I went yesterday with hubby . . . longest ride ever for me full stop, but my first long trip on my beloved R1200GS . . . a 315 mile round trip from Ipswich to the NEC. I was totally knackered when we got home as we got diverted off the A14 on the way home and got sent to Peterborough before we could get back onto the A1 then A14 again!

It was all well worth it as I got to meet Charley {{{Grrrrrrrr!!}}}

A great show I thought

Cheers

Shirley