The MCN London Motorcycle Show at Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill, North London has plenty to lubricate your chain, if that’s what your looking for. LB went on the opening day to give you a preview of what to expect, if you’re planning to visit this week. All the usual 2006 new models are there for you to fondle, sit on and fantasise over, as well as hot promotional babes for you to drool after. It’s like Christmas is happening all over again, and it’s only the end of January!
If you’re a regular annual visitor to the Ali Pali MCN Show, then you’ll know what to expect. Regardless, there is still a lot to look at and even more to spend your cash on. If you’re looking for the perfect set of clip-ons for your pride and joy, then, there are a lot to choose from, and the MCN Show is the place for you. If you’re looking for good food and fast service, don’t expect it here. Expect four halls full of bargains galore and an action packed arena to keep you entertained and adrenaline pumping.
Alexandra Palace itself is situated between Woodgreen and Muswell Hill, it is very well sign posted and finding it isn’t a problem. There is plenty of parking for cars and the parking facilities for motorbikes are very secure. Once inside the historic venue, being greeted by smiling promo girls with a Carol Nash calendar and goodie bag is always is always a bonus. There is a cloak room to stash away your helmet and leathers securely for the day, but this year the price has gone up. Into the main corridor where there is a line up of the classic sports bikes such as the first Gixxer and Blade. It’s nice to see where our machines all started. The only thing to do now, is decide which hall to go and tackle first.
As you enter the main hall, you’re faced with all of the main bike manufacturers from Suzuki and their new K6 series, Yamaha and their stunning new R6, Honda, Kawasaki and their new E6-R town bike, KTM showing the Superduke and Triumph with their pretty new petit 675 Sportsbike to Harley Davidson and Buell. Buell has got a couple of interesting new models to look at including the Ulysses adventure bike. BMW are there with their new RS1200S, K1200GT, F800S and F800ST models, which are here being shown at Alexandra Palace to the British public for the first time. Also on show is the very special MV Agusta F4 1000 Veltro SBK, this special bike that will begin production this spring, will be made in very limited numbers only. Producing 190 HP and weighing in at 170kg, the Veltro is a track bike that has a power to weight ratio of a WSB machine and is capable of top speed in excess of 320 km/h or 199 MPH. Priced at £36,000 you should start saving now, it is well worth going just to have a look at this beautiful machine.
There are some amazing offers on leather suits and two piece suits to make sure you’re safe for that track day this year, end of line bike clothing and lots of discounted helmets and gloves. There are some nicely designed matt finish helmets from Shark also at show prices. If you’re looking for huggers, fairings, carbon or other plastics for your bike, all of the big companies like Power Bronze and Pyramid Plastics are there. There’s a lot to choose from and it’s well worth looking around first, as there are so many great deals to be had. As for clip-ons and levers, Arata had some very nice specimens, wavy discs, coloured chains and sprockets from C&S. There's also a very good variety of bike porn to make you moist and want to desire. As usual there are lots of shiny goodies on the Harris stand, some amazing and very sexy new exhaust systems to dribble over like the new Slashfit exhaust from Racefit and their R6 carbon M1 MotoGP version. Akrapovic, Devil, Scorpion and Carbon-Co all showing their latest short, slashed and stubby GP designs, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Just off the main hall you’ll find another three halls, one of which has the Custom Cruisers in. There are some very nice choppers with amazing paint work to go and feast your eyes on. Even if they’re not your thing, the construction and craftsmanship that has gone into these machines, has to be admired. You can sit and have a coffee or a flavoured cream filled Brazilian donut whilst relaxing before continuing. The other two halls are filled with bargains galore; the Met Police are there with their Bikesafe team, ready to take your details and book you onto a course, if you haven’t yet done the Bikesafe, you’re missing out on a fun day out riding with the police, learning new techniques and educating yourself into safer riding. There are stands full of tools and polishing kits if you’re into working on your own bike. Another stand worth going to have a look at is the Almax Security chains and ground anchors, the daddy of all chains guaranteeing that they cannot be cut by hand with bolt croppers. Have a friendly chat with Maxine and Alan who own the company and designed the chains and claim your LB discount. There are some great t-shirt design stands, where you can get the design of your choice printed there and then, and there is also a very talented air-brush painter that will customise items of leather clothing for you.
In the last and final two halls you can find the MCN Action Arena, where at various times throughout the day you can watch some mad stunts and adrenaline packed shows. Then there’s the MCN Live Stage Hall, where the Ace Café have got a stand for the first year, you’ll find Mark Wilsmore and Claire at hand, if you fancy a chat. Our very own M9 Performance Mike’s bike is on the Ace Café stand for you to look at, as well as stunt master Sparky’s bike lying on a bed of tyres. You can also see an array of classic bikes from the last 50 years, which MCN have, got for you to reminisce over. This hall is perfect if you’re looking for a quiet break, a sit down and a coffee and some food to and end the busy day.
You’ll find much there to entertain you, loosen up your loins and get your juices flowing, so what are you waiting for? Get on line and pre-book your tickets or just turn up and buy them on arrival. Have a safe journey there and enjoy your day. Let us know what did it for you!
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