NEC Show Report (longish)

Well I managed to blag a trade pass and thus avoid the crowds and have an
early look at the show today.

I bumped into Tim [1] who also blagged his way in. Also bumped into Dave
Corden and managed to stand in the vicinity of the GLF Accessories stand,
talk to Graham and not buy anything. Although I was tempted by the gloves.
Also stopped by at the Honda owners club stand where we were greeted and
entertained by Stritchy.

As usual the show was dominated by the manufacturer stands and there were
some new bikes on show which were no doubt very powerful and don't weigh
very much. The best totty on a manufacturer stand award must go to Suzuki
for the four girls gyrating over a bike in a cage[2]. Worst totty on a
manufacturer stand must go to Harley Davidson who featured men in leather
dancing YMCA style[3] along with some rather plain women.

Obviously the best totty was on the Superbikes stand. So gents bring your
cameras.

Most interesting bike[4] I saw was on the Sachs stand. It was a sort of
mountain bike come moped that they were selling for 1450 IIRC. I don't know
what cc it was but if it's a 50cc I think they will be very popular with the
16 year olds and may just appeal to the bigger kids as well.

There was quite a selection of clothing and accessories stands and Although
I wasn't really looking to buy anything like that, there were a few bargains
to be had. I felt that a tenner for a Oxford Chain and padlock that doubles
as a disk lock was too good to pass up but that was my only purchase.

Most interesting bit for me was when I saw a bike exactly the same as mine
on the BMW stand even down to the dirt and muck. The only differences were
the additional fog lights, the aluminium luggage and two gel pads on the
seats. It was owned by Kevin and Julia Sanders who had just returned from a
world record run down the Pan American Highway from Alaska to Southern
Argentina. We had quite a long chat with them about both this most recent
trip and their earlier round the world trip. They were quite happy to
discuss tyre choice, fuel quality, planning and how a few dollars eased the
formalities at certain border crossings. I asked if they had gone through
Columbia knowing what the current situation is there and the present FCO
advice which is don't go. They explained that they went through with no
difficulties because they contacted the local GS riders via the internet who
escorted them through Columbia. So there you go the Columbian Drug Barons
and Kidnapping gangs might mess with the army but they don't **** with the
GS local riders. They even managed to ride through snow, deserts, dirt
tracks and cities without dropping the bike. They are indeed an interesting
and nice couple who are definitely worth chatting to if you get the
opportunity.

One rather sadder stand was that from the National Motorcyle Museum who as
you will remember suffered a rather devasting fire quite recently. They have
started to restore some of the fire damaged bikes and have at least one
fully restored example on their stand. They hope to reopen soon and are
selling raffle tickets to raise some funds. I didn't have the heart to ask
them if the new place is going to have sprinklers.

So no real suprises at the show. When you go later let me know if I missed
anything.


1. The one with the Tiger 955i
2. That's a cage with bars and stuff rather than a motor vehicle and was
much better to watch than I describe it.
3. Never let it be said that Harley Davidson don't know the tastes of their
customers.
4. That's bike as in two wheeled motorised vehicle.

 

Just as I thought. I'll give it a miss and go to the dirt bike expo the week
after.

 

T'was good to see you too.

Was that Tim with you then? I'm ashamed to say that I recognised the
face, but spent the rest of the day desperately trying to remember his
name.

Suzuki wouldn't allow these girls to have their picture taken at our
stand - bastards! Kawasaki had two gorgeous longlegged blondes on
their stand and wouldn't us let photograph them on our stand either -
bastards!

Agreed - hoping to get them over to us today

There were bikes there too?

You didn't mention the Trumph Rocket III or the Kawasaki Z2300 V12.

Either of which would make a suitable steed for you ;o)

--

Stritchy
CX1100 'Ermintrude' BPoD (tm Pip)
HOC#14808 BOTAFOT#129 COFF#23 MiB#17
two#52 BREast#4 BOTAFOF#44
eat SPAM to e-mail

 

They do that every year. What was this year's prize - a 'slight second"
BSA C15?

 

In theory, they could have filled a stand with burnt-out skeletons with
begging bowls in front of them.

--
Platypus - Faster Than Champ
VN800 Drifter, R80RT
DIAABTCOD#2 GPOTHUF#19
BOTAFOS#6 BOTAFOT#89 FTB#11
BOB#1 SBS#35 ANORAK#18 TWA#15

 

shipped over from california?

 

<snip good review>

cheers Tony.

--
Alan

http://www.ads-training.co.uk
"Kneesliders Sponsored by Cane"
GSX-R1000 , Triumph Thunderbird, ZXR750L2 Racer(gone), GHPOTHUF#27
TGF, UKRMFBC#7, Two#24, BOTAFOF#11, YTC#9, GYASB#1. SbS#23.
DFWAG#2, DS#2, DIAABTCOD#20. remove "thisbit" in the reply
http://sportsbike.org (our own endurance team) http://Team-ukrm.com
"Nemo repente fuit turpissimus"

 

In

some of them are here
http://www.motorcycleshow.co.uk/news_gallery_babe.html


Steve Parry

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

http://wrexhamseals.tripod.com

 

Nice write up that. What's the technique for blagging a trade pass
then, or is that classified?

 

See post from Tim Roche titled "NEC Motorbike Show" just down there.

 

<snip>

A mate in the trade was at the press day yesterday and said there were
half-price Oakley shades & shoes... if anyone's interested.

 

I'm trying to find somewhere that'll do prescription Oakley specs.

Fucked if I can. And I'm not ordering 300 quids worth of specs online,
either.

 

I got mine from a Sunglasses Hut. Went in clutching up-to-date
prescription from the optician and they sent off the order straight
away. Took a couple of weeks, mind, as the lenses are made to order in
the US...

Cost about £250, IIRC. Worth every penny, too. Nothing comes close,
IME.

 

This has been discussed before.

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=

HTH

 

Use the Oakley Dealer locator:

http://x.oakley.com/dealer_locator/

 

Coo, there's one on the High Street. Wonder how I missed that.

Ta!

 

You obviously need glasses.

 

Damn right I do - just been down there, and their Oakley stuff, inc.
prescription specs, is in a display cabinet in the window.

And I was in there on Saturday window-shopping with the missus.
Good grief.

 

*DES* !!!

 

?