Motorcycle Live - NEC, UK
 

Yesterday I took a trip into the deep south, a land of funny accents, strange places and crowds of people. It was difficult, challenging and a dangerous adventure.

Yesterday I visited Motorcycle Live......:eek2:


I must admit, I had one real goal, to take a good look at the new Africa Twin. And to be honest, I was a little disappointed, I think the SuperTen is a little better.

It has some great features, feels like a Tenere to sit on, a nice 18" rear wheel, but. It's just a bit soft. By soft I mean I don't think it's going to crash well at all. The engine is a lovely gold but exposed to the ground, so you can cover it with a bash plate (and hide it) of have it on show and exposed to the stones. The plastics are the same as the other bikes, expensive no doubt but exposed and are going to mark easily.

On the plus side, I had a sit on the Zero Electric Trail Bike, and I was really impressed, it's light with plenty of travel in the suspender department, the seat feels good and it looked good too. Downside is only 80 mile range and the prospect of battery replacement after 5 years. Price was around �9k. They do a SuperMoto version of the same bike with better range of 120 miles, so it could be a great commuter.

Yamaha and it's range was easily the best in show for me. The MT09/07 range looked very good and quality finishes.

The new Multistrada, with spoke wheels looks the dogs danglers, but I still wouldn't part with my cash for one. It's never going to crash cheaply, and the indicators in the hand guards just defy and thought logic.

The show was busy in the morning , much better after lunch but still isn't as good as it's hayday. I thought many of the exhibitors were playing to the wrong crown with the number of cars on show, but actually the Atom Off-Road Buggy was impressive, and Honda's BTCC car looked great.

Highlights for me was the stand from the Motorcycle Museum, some cracking bikes there, Oh and a �25k KTM690 from Desert Rose .........

Anyone else had a trip to Birmingham? What were your thoughts ?

I couldn't go due to work. ..but several friends went specifically to see the Africa Twin and were a bit disappointed. They said it's obviously a good bike but lacked any real wow or Dakar vibe, just seemed a bit too sanitised . Steve

We probably passed each other. I was there yesterday too. Spent most of the day chatting with friends at the 'Overland Magazine' stand.
I loved the CCM. First time I have seen it in the flesh. Great bike but ridiculous price! Loving all the retro stuff too which seems to be in vogue at the moment.

Went on Saturday takes us all of 20 minutes to get there!!,great social day for us as we know plenty of folk working on stands and by now they have probably lost the will to live hence why we go on the first day.

It's a good show and there is plenty of money about that's for sure but like all shows different people go for different things so you can make of it what you will.

What most will have missed us included it opens at 9am weekends instead of 10 and it makes a major difference instead of the usual rush so if you get there early you'll get a couple of hours in before it gets silly busy.

Well Posiden has just ordered an AT, so I am sure we will get some decent info on it soon!

Hi Gaz long time no see . I went and was impressed by all the manufactures except Honda and Suzuki .
For me the MV range of bikes was first class there paint work and finish looked first class but it was the smaller adventure bikes from CCM that really caught my eye cheers johnno http://www.xt660.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

Did fancy a trip up just to see the Africa Twin.

Weather looks pretty pants on Saturday - so will wait till its in the show-rooms.

Blimey Jonno... thought you'd become a nun or something!!!

MV, there's a surprise :Speedy_Superhero_Q3

Really ??

Do you know if he ordered 'local' ??

I take it there was no sign of a new MT powered Tenere then?