IF you only ever go to one UK bike show, Motorcycle Live at Birmingham’s NEC starting tomorrow would probably be a good one to choose.
This year has been one of the most exciting we can remember for new bike launches, and all the best ones will be making their UK debut at the show.
Here’s a round-up of just a few of the most amazing machines that will be on display. Just one of these would arguably make the day-out worthwhile. Show-goers will get to see them all.
- Kawasaki’s Ninja H2 and H2R. Kawasaki will be running the 310hp supercharged H2R on a rolling dyno.
- New Yamaha R1. Keep your superchargers. The new R1 makes 200hp, weighs 199kg fuelled and, well, look at it. Could it be the new bike of the year?
- Honda’s RC213V-S and ‘True Adventure’ prototypes. A road-going MotoGP bike and a new Africa Twin. Want.
- BMW’s new S1000RR, S1000XR, R1200 R and R1200 RS. A superbike, a superbike-powered adventurer, and two new boxer-engined models. And you can meet some bloke called Charley Boorman on the stand, apparently.
- Ducati’s 1299 Panigale and new Multistrada. A 205hp sports bike and a 160hp super-adventure bike, both with cornering ABS. Life is good.
- Aprilia’s RSV4 RR and Tuono V4 1100. A 201hp WSBK bike for the road and an 1100 super-naked. What's not to like?
- Suzuki’s GSX-S1000 and GSX-S1000F plus the Recursion Concept. Two new Gixer-thou-engined models and a turbo-charged 588cc parallel-twin concept first unveiled in Tokyo last year. If only they'd make the damn thing.
Motorcycle Live is at Birmingham's NEC from November 22-30
