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NEC anyone?
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:20 am
by Paul
Anyone been to the NEC this year? What did you think?
I went yesterday with a pal who, 20 years after passing his bike test, has decided that perhaps he should buy a bike... We had gone to look at the new Triumph Street Twin, but he left feeling slightly underwhelmed by that. We sat on a whole host of machinery, but the one which seems to have piqued his interest is the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone in matt black. Bought himself a load of riding gear including one of those fancy Shark flip front helmets, which is also certified as an open face helmet with the chin bar up.
Stuff that I liked: That Africa Twin does look interesting, but the one I sat on seemed to have an auto gearbox option, which was a little weird. Saw a GS and and R Nine T on the Watsonian stand with side cars fitted...

Saw the new Tiger Explorer with added gizmos such as electronic suspension adjustment. There were some bonkers looking Bimotas and some saucy looking MV Augustas. That Moto Guzzi Griso still tickles my fancy, but not as my only bike. If I could justify a second bike for sunny day bacon sandwich runs, that would fit the bill, but I don't think it I'd want to tour for a week on it. The marketing word of the year seems to be "Scrambler". Everyone's doing one...
In the market place area were was a much better ratio of good stuff to tat than I remember from previous visits. I bought some great jeans for myself from
Road Skin which are fully lined with some fancy abrasion resistant Kevlar/Aramid lining. Check out the web site link. They were selling all their jeans at the show for £99 and threw in upgraded knee and hip armour for free if you paid cash. The ones I bought with their "Titanite" lining go for £199 on their website, so quite a handy saving.
All in all a good day out, I though.
Cheers,
Paul
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:47 am
by Herb
I am going this coming weekend. Past few years the show has been pretty good, after being pretty dull for a while. Industry seems to be undergoing a mini-revival, though still more old duffers than new blood in attendance.
I will be keeping an eye out for good deals on a flip helmet. Preferably a Shoei after the problems I have had with my HJC.
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 10:21 am
by slparry
Herb wrote:I am going this coming weekend. Past few years the show has been pretty good, after being pretty dull for a while. Industry seems to be undergoing a mini-revival, though still more old duffers than new blood in attendance.
I will be keeping an eye out for good deals on a flip helmet. Preferably a Shoei after the problems I have had with my HJC.
I'm going with a couple of mates, on Saturday, always enjoy it as there's not many bike orientated days out this time of year
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 9:45 am
by tanneman
Good show. Everything is grouped so you would find Yamaha with Yamaha off road and FJ club etc. The SpearmintRhino girls weren't shy so I cast an eye in that direction. They are near the MV stand. Spoke to Simon Weir, Simon Pavey and Chris Northover. Bought some Held Air and Dry gloves for £10 less than retail. Walked away happy. I liked the KTM Super Duke GT. Definitely something to inquire about, £16000 available March. The Ducati Monster 1200 does hold some appeal.
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 12:29 pm
by Dog Tyred
So how much are they ripping you off to get in this 'super showroom'?
I live 20 minutes away but really can't be arsed having been in previous years.
Bah humbug
DT
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 11:48 pm
by Grip Fast
Went on Monday and really enjoyed the day out, and it was my first time at a bike show (been too busy working the last 40-odd years). Sat on lots of shiny bikes.
But went with a shopping list that didn't include a new helmet or jacket (don't need either, but that seemed the extent of good deals) and completely failed to get any bargains. I could do to replace my leather jeans that have served me well for many years, but couldn't find anything close to what I wanted (why do I need knee sliders for touring?). Bought a pinlock insert on impulse (not on the list) to replace my old one which has a mark in my eye-line. Wrong... Paid over the odds because I hadn't researched prices beforehand - cheaper online, even from the folks that I got it from at the exhibition (Helmet won't-be-beaten-on-price City). Lesson learned.
But I enjoyed the day out.
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 11:52 pm
by boxerscott
I felt that there was a reduction of tat I also sensed that there was an absence of ancillary stalls too. I suspect that this may have something to do with how we shop these days.
Good opportunity to see and sit on all your fancied bikes if you are in the market for another bike in the coming year.

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:08 am
by tanneman
£19 incl processing fee whatever that is. OAP pays £11 plus £1.50 processing fee. Not everything can be measured in terms of money. Track days are £100 plus for a comparison with no attractive women about.
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:20 pm
by Grip Fast
tanneman wrote:£19 incl processing fee whatever that is. OAP pays £11 plus £1.50 processing fee. Not everything can be measured in terms of money. Track days are £100 plus for a comparison with no attractive women about.
Ah yes, that's what stuck in my craw when I booked the ticket. £11 (I am officially a burden on the state now) with "no admin fee". Oh that makes a pleasant change, I thought. Buy... That'll be £12.50 then. What? Well, it's £11 pounds plus £1.50 fulfilment fee. But I'm quite fulfilled as I am, thanks, and going to the bike show will be all the fulfilment I can handle for the moment.
So, in less than 100 words, what is the difference, as it affects me, between an admin fee and a fulfilment fee? I would suggest that the answer is nothing whatsoever.
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:22 pm
by Herb
£19 seems ok value for a day out to me.
Its the beer and food prices once you are a captive audience that really get my goat.
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:39 pm
by Grip Fast
Herb wrote:£19 seems ok value for a day out to me.
Its the beer and food prices once you are a captive audience that really get my goat.
Completely agree, Herb, and even better at £12.50. It's just this trend that you can never buy tickets for the advertised price. There is always an admin/p&p/processing/fulfilment/handling/credit card fee on top. Just tell me it is £12.50. End-of...
...and the beer/food prices...
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 4:09 pm
by Blackal
Herb wrote:£19 seems ok value for a day out to me.
Its the beer and food prices once you are a captive audience that really get my goat.
Most people mumble to themselves about the "Robbing burger stalls" etc, thinking they make a killing.
The event organisers don't allow them to make a killing - such is the franchise cost - they merely make a reasonable sum. It is the event organisers who make the killing.
"If there is a good revenue to be got - We're the ones that will be doing it!"
Al

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 4:55 pm
by tanneman
Can't be bothered, they can call it what they want. Go as a group with like minded mates. It makes the day out worthwhile. Taking the mickey out the BMW promotion girls brings a smile to their faces and makes your mates laugh. Sit on as many bikes as you want and admire the engineering that has gone into the race bikes. Spot the undone bolt on the no. 46 M1. Avoid the Triumph stand as I don't want to be seen dead on one. Chat to strangers and browse the clothing and helmets. New designs for 2016. Me, I always fancy the Dakar race bikes for some reason.
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 6:39 pm
by slparry
Thing is, if you go to the cinema nowadays you get bled dry for the tickets, popcorn, drinks etc.
I don't mind the NEC, sure you're a captive audience but it's not often you get a boys day out nowadays so don't mind it

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 11:52 pm
by SP250
Went today and thought it was smaller than last year and less crap for sale
Got a bargain pair of kevlar jeans for £99 a saving of £120.
Expanded my want list of bikes for next year to include the Aprilia Tuono and the new KTM 1290 Super Duke GT as well as the S1000XR, but also have a sneaking like for the Yam Tracer MT09.