The 2006 International
Motorcycle and Scooter show saw almost 150,000
visitors this year. Despite the number of
show goers being down on last year at 144,870,
the mood from the exhibitors and those who
did head to the NEC in Birmingham has been
positive.
Highlights of the show
included the Thunderdrome Games Arena with
stunt shows and new factory models for 2007
including Suzuki’s B-King, Yamaha
YZF-R1, Triumph Tiger 1050, the Honda CBR600RR
and the first launch from Chinese manufacturer
Wuyang. There was also the chance for bikers
to try out some of the bikes on their wish
lists.
Suzuki Marketing Manager,
Paul de Lusignan, said: “We’ve
been overwhelmed by interest in the B-King
and GSX-R750 models and its been great to
meet so many Suzuki enthusiasts. We are
looking forward to an exciting 2007.”
A host of stars from the
world of sport also dropped in to sign autographs
including World Superbike riders Troy Corser
and James Toseland, MotoGP star Colin Edwards,
British racing legend Carl Fogarty, and
Bennetts British Superbike Championship
winner and runner-up Ryuichi Kiyonari and
Leon Haslam respectively.
The 2006 International
Motorcycle and Scooter show saw almost 150,000
visitors this year. Despite the number of
show goers being down on last year at 144,870,
the mood from the exhibitors and those who
did head to the NEC in Birmingham has been
positive.
The Bennetts British Superbike
Awards gave thousands of fans the chance
to see their heroes receive their trophies
on the Blackhorse Stage.
Babes and bikes 
Visitors to the Show will
be able to see all the latest models from
the biggest manufacturers before they hit
the streets of the UK, including new models
from BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Triumph and Harley
Davidson amongst others.
BMW
Presenting
their widest and most varied model range
in the history of the company, BMW has unveiled
its all-new single-cylinder model series
including the G650 Xcountry and G 650 Xchallenge,
with purist looks and sporty riding characteristics.
Also on show, the fourth model in what has
been hailed as its most powerful model series,
the K1200 R Sport addresses the ambitious
sports riders with a penchant for progressive
‘naked-bike’ technology.
CCM
An
exclusive for the International Motorcycle
and Scooter show, CCM launched the SR40
Street Scrambler to the world, influenced
by the highly acclaimed CCM motocross bikes
of the 1970’s and 1980’s, the
theme of the SR40 is very much back to basics,
with simplicity being the over riding style.
Harley-Davidson
Straight from the world
launch at Intermot Motorcycle and Scooter
Fair, Harley-Davidson brought the XR 1200
Prototype to wow the crowds at NEC. The
XR 1200 has been developed beyond the concept
and design stages, with an emphasis on performance,
handling and sporting style. The bike, inspired
by the legendary Harley-Davidson XR 750
dirt track race bike boasts an air-cooled
V-Twin engine, downdraft fuel injection
and unique lightweight cast wheels.
Honda
Hitting
big this year, Honda has 5 impressive new
models, including the stunning new 2007
CB600F Hornet set to turn the Performance
Naked class on its head. The dynamic XL1000V
Varadero Adventure Touring bike will be
a hit with its majestic good looks and impressive
ride quality improvements. The SH300i provides
exhilarating power, acceleration and handling
while maintaining sleek and minimalist good
looks.
Kawasaki
Following
a busy week at Intermot, Kawasaki is showcasing
the brand new 1400 GTR fronting an entirely
new genre of high-performance motorcycles:
‘Transcontinental Supersport’.
Next up, the brand new Kawasaki VN900 Custom,
a factory built custom bike that delivers
big-bike style response and superior acceleration
followed by the Kawasaki Versys, a machine
that can cope with anything from city streets
to mountain passes and everything in between.
Suzuki
Suzuki
is pleased to announce no less than five
UK model debuts at this years Show. Set
to be one of the highlights, the already
iconic B-King moves from concept to reality
with the final production ready 1300cc bike
on show in all its glory. Joining the B-King
in its UK debut will be the all-new GSX-R1000,
boasting increased performance, agility
and speed. And there’s something for
scooter fans at this years show with the
all-new Burgman 125, recently launched in
Paris, the new 125 offers chic, stylish
looks with enhanced storage, security and
practicality.
Triumph
Launched at the North American
dealer conference, the brand new Tiger 1050,
with its sharp lines and performance spec
will be on show in the UK for the first
time at the NEC. The Tiger’s sporting
credentials are clear at first glance, featuring
a potent Speed Triple-derived engine tweaked
to suit the Tiger’s unique temperament.
Triumph will is also showcasing a host of
significant existing model updates including
improved performance and looks for the Bonneville
and Bonneville Black and the Triumph America
and Speedmaster.
Yamaha
An
impressive range of improved models are
on show at this year’s Yamaha stand,
including the brand new fifth generation
YZF-R1. The new R1 features a host of technological
improvements including M1-inspired MotoGP
technology such as a computer controlled
throttle system and a duel adjustment hi/lo
speed suspension system. Inspired by the
1930s US Custom bike and car scene, the
XVS1300 which features a completely new
1300cc short-stroke V-Twin powerplant will
also be on-show alongside the rest of Yamaha’s
2008 range.
