LIVE THE DREAM WITH NEC SHOW
Tickets are on sale for the UK’s biggest bike show and it is your chance to get up close and personal with all the new models for 2018.
Nearly 40 manufacturers will be showcasing their latest machinery at this month’s Motorcycle Live in Birmingham at the NEC.
But there’s much more besides, including 17 free live features and events, with 10 different opportunities to ride, geared at all ages and abilities.
There’s also interactive entertainment, celebrity appearances, classic, custom and special manufacturer displays, and FMX Live, presented by Arenacross – the extreme freestyle motocross spectacle.
To make sure you don’t miss out on anything, organisers are offering all visitors a free app which will provide real-time notifications, as well as exhibitor listings and a guide to all the features.
New models on show this year will include a bizarre three-wheeled leaning bike/trike from Yamaha called the Niken, which if you translate it from Japanese means ‘two swords’.
This is a genuine production machine, based on the MT-09 and features a four-stroke in-line triple engine, fully adjustable suspension, traction control and rider modes.
Reaction on social media has ranged from “genius” to “utterly ridiculous” – clearly the Niken will either live or die by its swords.
Talking of cut-throat, as we sort of were, Kawasaki is launching a new model into the highly competitive smaller sportsbike sector in the form of the Ninja 400.
The new trackinspired model has a parallel twin motor which makes 45bhp at 10,000rpm and a pretty impressive torque of 28 ft lb at 8,000rpm.
Also unveiled by Kawasaki at last week’s Tokyo Motor Show and making its UK debut at Motorcycle Live will be the lovely looking Z900RS.
This one already has “retro classic” written all over it with strong references to the iconic Z1 of the 1970s. There’s a teardrop tank, round mirrors, duck-bill tail cowl and two-tone seat with double stitching.
Also getting its first UK outing at the NEC will be a new Gold Wing from Honda. The bike has retained a staunch following since its inception in 1975 and the 2018 model is “sharper, more compact and lighter” according to the manufacturer.
The motor is a flat six-cylinder 1833cc – now with four valves per cylinder instead of two.
It comes with throttle-by-wire, four ride modes, selectable torque control and hill-start assist – plus lots of other clever features.
You can head over to Motorcycle Live at the Birmingham NEC, November 18-26.
Visit motorcyclelive. co.uk for more information.