I have to say, that despite all the hype MCN has dutifully put about in order to crush the previous dominance of the Superbike show at Ally Pally, I was not that impressed with the new show that MCN had put on. True, there was lots of stuff there, many thousands of people, motorbikes, bits of kit for you and your bike and, that was it!
With all of the hype that I’d previously been party to, which normally includes copious amounts of scantily clad females, just dying to drape themselves over my bloated and practically married, bike-loving ‘moobs’... That’s man-boobs, for any of you that are not up to date…
I’d washed that morning and shaved as much as my fuzzy face will acceptably allow, I’d even gone so far as to put on clean underwear. But when we got there, there was a horrendous lack of filly and photo opportunities.
OK, on the plus side… No wait, I haven’t finished with the lady bit yet…
What was MCN thinking? Surely Saturday is the first BIG public day and when you need the most scantily clad flesh around, there is none!! Especially if I’m planning on turning up, although I’m not sure I figure in their show schedule planning as much as I think I should.
Andrew and I hunted, and eventually found two very young and shy looking girls, who it has to be said, did not look that comfortable with the blokes that were hurling themselves at them for a quick photo op. Needless to say, Andrew looked like their Dad, which is a bit disturbing… Take a look in the Gallery for some proof of out favourite dirty Northern snappers activities if you don’t believe me… I’m only giving him a hard time because of the horrendously un-flattering pictures he posted of me. Jay, I hold you responsible for that as well sunshine! Don’t think your absence will protect you!
Now back to the show… Honestly, it was exactly as you would expect. Many businesses want you to give them money and this was their opportunity to do exactly that, is that a cynical view? Yes probably, but honestly, this did not have the feel of an industry wooing customers and showing us loyalty to our love of biking and sexy gals. This was an industry-arranged shopping trip.
I won’t try and tell you all about all the bikes that were there, nor about the newest items being added to the ranges of the businesses that attended because honestly, I am not as well-educated on the subject of bikes as most of you.
When it comes down to it, an industry-show, is very often a good publicity tool for the businesses involved and a chance for keen fans to catch a glimpse of the bike of their dreams or the rider they idolise, but for me, there’s always a feeling of being in a great big motorbike version of BlueWater... Ok, nothing wrong with that per se… but I like bikes to get away from the missus and her religious love of all things shopping so it seems a bit daft to go and wander around the ‘bike shopping mall’ that was the MCN Show…
Now don’t get me wrong. Everything you could have wanted was there under one roof. Bits, kit, tools, bikes, clothes, lids, insurance, instruction, holiday opportunities, companies, special kit manufacturers, race teams, race riders and yes, Andrew’s two young girls looking nervous, but it just didn’t float my boat.
The Ducati 1098 was there being drooled over, BMW offered a ‘feel like you’ve pulled a massive stoppie’ ride, and there were countless ‘Harley style’ bikes all over the shop, shining and glittering with pansy purple glitter paint jobs as you’d expect. The Mets Bikesafe had a stall, BMF and MAG were out in force recruiting (something you lot should seriously consider). There was also a gigantic hall where the stunt riders played and a stage area to entertain the crowd where the riders came and chatted about careers and next years strategies.
For everyone who enjoyed it, good show, but I still just couldn’t escape the nagging feeling that someone, somewhere was standing with a microphone next the PA system and whispering 'Buy it... Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuyyyyyyyyyyy iiiiiiiitttttttttttttttt!' continually in an attempt to get me to part with my cash.
Now, as someone who doesn’t worship ‘shopping’ this was just a bit too much like a Saturday afternoon out watching a credit card melt in the heat of Primark’s over-used Chip&Pin slot to be enjoyable…
Someone said to me that the Superbike event at Ally Pally was more of a community even involving biking clubs, groups and communities, and honestly, assuming the might of MCN hasn’t crushed Superbike Mag’s efforts, then next year I’m gonna go and check that one out first…
Related Linkswww.londonmotorcycleshow.comRelated GalleryMCN London Motorcycle Show 2007
