Sunday 7 February 2010

London Motorcycle Show

I went to the London Motorcycle Show on Friday and I must admit I was a tad disappointed. Considering London is a major global City, the show was quite small and whilst most of the major bike manufacturers were there, there were some missing. KTM for example. However, after not being at the other major bike show in the UK at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham at the end of last year, it was good to see both Harley-Davidson and Ducati at the London show. Overall though, it was just a bit small and I wondered if this was just a sign of the financial crisis but then I remembered I had been to the same exhibition centre about three weeks ago for the London Boat Show and compared to that the bike show was less than half the size of the boat show. There were just less stands and vendors at the bike show than I had expected.

I did see some interesting bikes, some neat bike accessories for sale, and some friends. I even bought a new helmet for my tour of the USA – something subtle and understated.

Here are some pictures from the show........



The new crash helmet I bought especially for my US tour!!....














A Moto Guzzi concept bike....















A really nice restored Triton....














A low custom bike that I liked the look of....















The engine of a beautiful trike by Destiny Cycles....














Another stunning bike by Destiny Cycles....



















The new Norton Commando....














A wicked looking drag bike....

















Not my thing, but these Ducati's looked fantastic....
















A Victory that had been given the Cory Ness treatment....














Sunglasses feeling unloved, waiting patiently for somebody to buy them....


















Friends Ron and Caroline Brett who run Brett Tours – a European wide motorcycle touring company....



















I did take a few pictures of the new Harley-Davidson 48 Sportster – probably my favourite new stock bike at the show, but the pictures were all out of focus (so I lifted this one from a H-D site).....

11 comments:

Chessie (Chesshirecat) said...

Gary, perhaps with so many other shows happening right now...Cinci started this weekend, huge major show...and lots of others in Europe as well right now. Everywhere I turn I am reading about a major show happening somewhere in the world!

I am really digging the photos you have chosen for the blog! Thanks...

Chris said...

Nice helmet! I just went to our local moto show and found pretty much the same thing. A smaller show than past years.

-Chris

SonjaM said...

Love the helmet! Truly understated and subtle. Thanks for the pics from the show. I certainly like the Triton, but the Norton would be just fine for me, too.

Gary France said...

Chessie - I too have seen lots of show reports. Maybe the organisers prefer this time of year as we all seem to be thinking about riding again after the winter.

Chris - sign of the times I guess

Sonja - The Triton is fabulous. I am getting tempted to get an old English bike, but that might have to wait until next year. Mind you, if that beautiful Triton was available now, I might just have to sell one of my children....

Rob said...

I will be looking for that helmet during your US Tour.

Oz said...

I will be on the lookout for that helmet once you get cross the pond and get here.
Out of curiosity - was Victory Motorcycles at the show?

Chuck Pefley said...

Hi Gary,
Thanks for your great "scooter friendly" bakery name suggestions. Easy Rider Espresso sounds terrific. Your upcoming adventure also sounds like a great time. Let me know if you're coming through Seattle (yeah, I could look at your map but that would spoil the fun of leaving a comment on your blog) and perhaps we can hook up.

I'm riding from Seattle to San Antonio, TX in late May-early June to go to the annual Amerivespa Rally. Not as ambitious as your 14k miles, but 5,500 miles in three weeks on three wheels does at least sort of come close for a little MP3-400 scooter. Right?

Gary France said...

Oz - Victory were at the show and they had one of the bigger stands. They were also at the larger Motorcycle show in Birmingham last Nowvember. I have to say that I am getting to be impressed by Victory. They don't have much of a market here in the UK yet, but their bikes look to be well thought out and very pleasing to the eye. I haven't ridden one, but from what I read they are good on the road.

Chuck - My wife's family are all in the Seattle area and so I visit Snohomish quite often. We often vacation in Washington, so for that reason I decided not to include it in my tour. However, if you would have me on one of your scooter runs, I would love to rent a scooter and come and join you next time I am there. Yep, 5.5k on three wheels in 3 weeks does it for me!

Unknown said...

Gary:

Like Chuck, I was also disappointed that you were going to be too far south for us to meet up. Perhaps you will do a cross Canada Canadian Tour one day. Your helmet will fit right in

The Seattle Motorcycle show in December was very small. Quite a few manufacturers were absent. I think the Vancouver Motorcycle Show was much larger, but it is the sign of the times with world-wide sales declining. I feel that these shows should be held in warmer weather, perhaps in the Spring rather than during the winter months

bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin

Gary France said...

Rob - if it is sunny, people will see me coming a long way off. The flake is pretty shiny!

Bob - A cross Canadian tour. Hmmmm. Tempting.... Maybe next year?....

Motor-head Lady said...

Love the helmet...I am looking forward to watching your progress. If you come close to my area of the pacific northwest, I'll watch for your helmet...you watch for my 1968 Cougar XR7 :-)
MHL