I've put this in the pub because that's where I ended up.
We drove down and by the time we'd paid for parking and paid to get in that was £55 excluding fuel so I was hoping it'd be good.
Unlucky. One small hall, not all new models on display and certainly no bargains to be seen. My wife wanted to sit on the BMW S1000XR and they didn't have one there because there aren't enough to go around. That's going to encourage people to blow their cash on one isn't it? The CCM stand was near enough deserted and the adventure bike area wasn't exactly overflowing so where was everyone? Watching celebs on off road bikes seemed popular as did the bar even though it was £5.20 for a pint of beer :pinch:
Custom bikes were also popular as was the stand showing about a dozen Valentino Rossi bikes but apart from that it wasn't as busy as the NEC in November. You get more to see and a lot more people attending the Stafford classic bike show which is aiming at a limited market whereas this was a show allegedly catering for everyone so to those who didn't go all I can say is you made a wise choice and I'll not be wasting my time and money again.
Excel bike show today
Re: Excel bike show today
I went on Friday afternoon, three quid return on the DLR from Tower Gateway.
Saw all the bikes that vaguely interested me, bumped into assorted bods I knew, had a couple of pints and a chinwag, bought two coat hangers from the nice folk at BikerTidy and went home to supper. All in all, not a bad waste of three hours in mid-February.
Saw all the bikes that vaguely interested me, bumped into assorted bods I knew, had a couple of pints and a chinwag, bought two coat hangers from the nice folk at BikerTidy and went home to supper. All in all, not a bad waste of three hours in mid-February.
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Re: Excel bike show today
I'm not surprised the attendance was so low with the event being in central London.
I will do pretty much anything to avoid going into London and I'm sure this applies to a great many others.
I will do pretty much anything to avoid going into London and I'm sure this applies to a great many others.
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Re: Excel bike show today
i nearly went myself but when i worked the cost of going i did my shopping from the armchair and saved a nice bundle on a rukka jacket some good deals ordering from germany
Re: Excel bike show today
It's no NEC that's for sure, rode up on the bike, saw a few folk I knew, sampled some of Jen and John's homemade Calvados on the Bike Normandy stand, had a quick chat with the peeps on the ABR stand, had a scan around for some bargains ( that's why I go on Sunday afternoon (thumbs) ) managed to get a few things after some haggling :laugh: .
Took a different route back via Westerham, Edenbridge and Lindfield on some back road twisties, that have just been resurfaced with some nice Tarmac not a sign of any gravel (thumbs).
Took a different route back via Westerham, Edenbridge and Lindfield on some back road twisties, that have just been resurfaced with some nice Tarmac not a sign of any gravel (thumbs).
Re: Excel bike show today
I went yesterday and it was pretty busy...had most things I wanted to see..had a chat with Austin Vince and finally got round to subscribing to the mag....it's expensive when you factor in car parking at Westfield for the women then the DLR to excel at a hefty £9.60 return for a 10 minute journey...but for something to do this time of year and a chance for a weekend visit to a mate...who allowed me to go for a spin on his spanking new Vstrom 1000...
Re: Excel bike show today
We went Friday, my mate didn't know whether to be happy or sad. He was charged only seventeen notes to get in and they didn't even ask if he was over 65 (which he isn't) :laugh:
Last time I was at the NEC,I said that's the last time.(and it is).
Never done Excel before,so not having used the tube for years I found it would be 12 quid standard fare from Oxford Circus Return.So I bought my first (twenny quid on it) Oyster card which made it around six quid return ? three trains FFS ! to get maybe six mile or so from home.
Another 20 to get in and £3.80 for a latte with an extra shot ! Couldn't get a TourX4 for less than retail, couldn't find pair of Tec7's (or 8's) any where. It didn't really feel like a show at all, more like Wembley market on a bad day with the only stuff being end of lines and odd sizes.
Highlights -Classic Indian and 450 Ducati Scrambler.- The H2 Kwak - a shi**ed up couple of AJP's- 1290 KTM Adv, a real nice tourer but not for any roughness (well not in my hands). As for the zones ? Ha! The adventure zone ? One word - BEREFT !
How could CCM leave a girl from the office (lovely and pleasant as she was) to answer questions about the bike.She was't even sure where the gas tank was ?? :whistle: Bike looked great but I just lost interest (and felt sorry for her too).
On a positive side,the whole thing made me want to get into my workshop and sort the bikes ready for the off !
With beer at the show touching almost £50 a gallon,riding now seems positively affordable again. (thumbs) (thumbs) (thumbs)
Laters ! B)
Last time I was at the NEC,I said that's the last time.(and it is).
Never done Excel before,so not having used the tube for years I found it would be 12 quid standard fare from Oxford Circus Return.So I bought my first (twenny quid on it) Oyster card which made it around six quid return ? three trains FFS ! to get maybe six mile or so from home.
Another 20 to get in and £3.80 for a latte with an extra shot ! Couldn't get a TourX4 for less than retail, couldn't find pair of Tec7's (or 8's) any where. It didn't really feel like a show at all, more like Wembley market on a bad day with the only stuff being end of lines and odd sizes.
Highlights -Classic Indian and 450 Ducati Scrambler.- The H2 Kwak - a shi**ed up couple of AJP's- 1290 KTM Adv, a real nice tourer but not for any roughness (well not in my hands). As for the zones ? Ha! The adventure zone ? One word - BEREFT !
How could CCM leave a girl from the office (lovely and pleasant as she was) to answer questions about the bike.She was't even sure where the gas tank was ?? :whistle: Bike looked great but I just lost interest (and felt sorry for her too).
On a positive side,the whole thing made me want to get into my workshop and sort the bikes ready for the off !
With beer at the show touching almost £50 a gallon,riding now seems positively affordable again. (thumbs) (thumbs) (thumbs)
Laters ! B)
Re: Excel bike show today
Save up have a weekend away and go to the cologne-intermot show. NEVER go to a British show again.
Dave
- Freeloadeur
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Re: Excel bike show today
I had the pleasure of three days there and still managed to not spot the CCM stand. It is distinctly underwhelming compared to the NEC, although it was actually busier this year than last.
You get the feeling that MCN rent a single hall and tell the manufacturers how much space they can have, which inevitably means they can't bring all their bikes. Honda for instance, despite having Steph Jeavons practically on a loop on their video wall didn't think to bring a CRF250L with them.
Then by the time you've flogged to the trinket people and the miracle cloth merchants there's only space for a few traders, who probably pay through the nose for their pitch.
Low lights: No real bargains to be seen, ridiculously expensive food and drink, finding myself wanting a bike I can't afford yet.
High lights: Bumping into friends, watching Graham from Adventure Bike TV being asked for photos, the total enthusiasm of the Altrider guys, finding the finance on the bike I want is surprisingly affordable.
Would I pay to go? Not when most of the good points involved chatting to people every one of whom I'm going to bump into at the Ace Cafe's Overland & Adventure Bike Day in a few weeks, and who I'll see for the whole weekend of the Overland Event in June.
You get the feeling that MCN rent a single hall and tell the manufacturers how much space they can have, which inevitably means they can't bring all their bikes. Honda for instance, despite having Steph Jeavons practically on a loop on their video wall didn't think to bring a CRF250L with them.
Then by the time you've flogged to the trinket people and the miracle cloth merchants there's only space for a few traders, who probably pay through the nose for their pitch.
Low lights: No real bargains to be seen, ridiculously expensive food and drink, finding myself wanting a bike I can't afford yet.
High lights: Bumping into friends, watching Graham from Adventure Bike TV being asked for photos, the total enthusiasm of the Altrider guys, finding the finance on the bike I want is surprisingly affordable.
Would I pay to go? Not when most of the good points involved chatting to people every one of whom I'm going to bump into at the Ace Cafe's Overland & Adventure Bike Day in a few weeks, and who I'll see for the whole weekend of the Overland Event in June.
Happiness has 125cc ...
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Re: Excel bike show today
So, what is the bike you want and was seeing it in a show the 'tipping point' to a sale?Freeloadeur wrote:Low lights: No real bargains to be seen, ridiculously expensive food and drink, finding myself wanting a bike I can't afford yet.
High lights: Bumping into friends, watching Graham from Adventure Bike TV being asked for photos, the total enthusiasm of the Altrider guys, finding the finance on the bike I want is surprisingly affordable.
Regs
Simon
Be sure to visit www.thespanishbiker.com the invaluable guide to motorcycling in Spain - plus guided rides, HISS Events* and off road touring support service
*Highly Informal Sojourns in Spain
*Highly Informal Sojourns in Spain