Boring British Bike events

[RuftyTufty]

Dont know about you folks but I find the British Bike events to be the most boring I've been to. I 've been to a lot in France, and they really know how to do it. Maybe this is all because the UK is the least bikeminded nation in Europe, with the least amount of bikes per head of population. France is a much more bikeminded, bike friendly country.

Take the Hop Farm BMF thingy. So dull . And why do they invite the Army to display there? What's a dummy Rapier missile got to do with bikes? And all that high priced, low quality clothing and gear? Rip off time I say. And the ****ty horror food - the French would vomit to eat the swill that we buy here. By all accounts the Peterborough Rally is just as bad but bigger.

And those pointless custom bike shows full of ugly Harleys with a new paint job and a ton of chrome, unloaded from a van because they are unrideable.

And in Holland its much better too. I think that the British biker is part of the mushroom culture -kept in the dark and fed on ****. So the UK biker doesnt know any better.

What crappy bike events have you been too? Come on, dish the dirt....

[Sharribee]

The only bike show I went to was at the NEC about 3 years ago. I actually really enjoyed it

THere was lots there that I was interested in, loads of different bike manufacturers and we got to sit on lots of the bikes which for me was great as I was just changing mine. Bought a new helmet really good deal, and my back protector - again got a good deal.



Having said all that it also may have something to do with the fact MOM and myself discovered the guiness tent at lunch time though

[Rubberchicken]

And in Holland its much better too.

Eh?

What crappy bike events have you been too? Come on, dish the dirt....

None really, haven't yet found one that's worth the bother.
(And that includes the TT, lately...)

[Tarka]

I agree entirely with the main sentiment.

I find all the 'main' events to be totally unimaginative and simply a re-hash of whatever theme has been the norm over how many decades the event has run for.

I reckon it`s down to a couple of major factors...

Firstly,the classic bloody head in the sand British attitude of 'why fix it if it ain`t broken'........thus the organisers sit on their fat lazy arses resting on their laurels until the bean counters start to whinge about fewer takings year on year and then there`s a crisis on their hands and we read all about in the bike press ( sound anything like the BMF at all ?? )

Secondly,I don`t believe the 'main' events are run by any genuine bike enthusiasts.
They`re all big glitzy corporate pat each other on the back circuses with the product and consumer as a second interest.
The NEC is good example of this...it`s all show and shine with no technical assistance at the stands,rentabimbos and suits aplenty.

The smaller and local shows are far more 'real world' realistic and biased towards the biker on the street.

[Hagrid]

low quality clothing and gear? Rip off time I say. And the ****ty horror food

Agree entirely (He say's after just returning from todays BMF offering)... They are not Events, rather Mass Motorcycle retail Tatt outlets....

But... You can you can pick up a deal if you look around... I went with the sole intent to try and pick up a new Helmet... I wanted a Schuberth S1... Found a stall selling them £120 Cheaper than Retail... If they had stocked my Size in the colour I wanted, I think that would of been a result and worth going (HG stand was also knocking out some real deals... (Not in Fat B'stard size though ))

Had to Laugh at the Touratech Stand though... Empty Canvass event with just a load of TT Catalogues piled high and a few beaten up old Beamers out front...

Anyways, Enjoyed watching the IMP's do their thing, Jesus; some of the youngsters were only 6, and still riding better than I can!

[Dee Duble Yuh]

The Welsh Bike Show has become pretty poor. I went to the first one years ago which was okay. But now, as you said, no imagination. The NEC show can be quiite interesting, especially if you are after something in particular, and I've had some good buys from there too.

[jasonbc]

[went to birmingham nec last year that was quite poor nothing to see there that you couldn't see in a local dealer. Did pick up a pair of oxtar boots slightly cheaper though. London motorcycle show this year at the excel centre was a complete waste of time especially if you don't have a sports bike

[Hagrid]

a complete waste of time especially if you don't have a sports bike

I think this might be the real answer... They all tend to cater for the 'Sport Bike' boyz, and hell who can blame them, I guess there 99% of the market (Well judging by the Bike Park where I saw only a Single Tenere and not one XR...).

OK here's an Idea... Next year... An XRV.ORG stand at the BMF ... Hell we couldn't do a worse job than TT did at representing Adventure Bikes!

[DaveS]

OK here's an Idea... Next year... An XRV.ORG stand at the BMF ... Hell we couldn't do a worse job than TT did at representing Adventure Bikes!

Do you know in all seriousness I'm beginning to think this is a good idea.
Show that Adventure bikes can be fun and what you can do on them.

[Lumiya]

I can proudly say that I've never been to a bike show. In fact I really do hate it when friends tell me that there's a local bike show on and expect me to drop everything and queue at the door.

I ride for the freedom and enjoyment it gives me and not for riding a bike that looks good

Kymmy