Category:
Shows
Created: 23 November 2007
The International Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2007 opened yesterday at the Birmingham NEC with one of the most spectacular line-ups of dazzling new motorcycles ever seen at the UK’s premier two-wheeled show. Some of the biggest names in motorcycling gathered to mark the start of the ten-day biking extravaganza, which runs until 2nd December. Highlights of the day included the appearance of Britain’s World Superbike Champion James Toseland, British Superbike legend Chris Walker, and world-famous biking adventurer Charley Boorman, not to mention UK bike premieres from BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha. The biggest names have been queuing up this year to reveal their brand new bikes for the first time in the UK at this year’s Show, including the much anticipated return of Italian giants Ducati, the first ever show appearance by Benelli, as well as a stunning line-up of gleaming bikes from Harley-Davidson, Buell, Triumph, CCM, Hyosung, Victory and Vectrix.
KTM got the opening day under way with the world launch of its stunning new 990 Supermoto – the first time the manufacturer had held a world premiere in the UK. KTM Managing Director Shaun Sisterson commented, “The NEC is the perfect place to launch this new model. It’s a phenomenally exciting time for the brand which is evolving its off-road traditions whilst being careful not to forget its heritage”.
Unveiling Kawasaki’s latest flagship bike – the Ninja ZX-10R – for the first time in the UK was MotoGP star Anthony West and British Motocross Champion Billy MacKenzie. Kawasaki’s massive VN2000 custom cruiser also made its UK debut along with a selection of MotoGP, World Superbike and World Motocross bikes. Meanwhile on the Suzuki stand Steve Callaghan, General Manager of Suzuki UK, and Nick Palmer, Sales and Marketing Director, introduced the exciting, brand new GSXR600, GSXR750, and GSX1300R Hayabusa. The gathered crowds were also in for a further treat with the introduction of the Rizla Suzuki British Superbike team’s new rider line up of Atsushi Watanabe and Tom Sykes.
Head of Design at BMW Mottorrad, David Robb, was joined on the BMW stand by BBC MotoGP commentator Steve Parrish, NEC Bike Show ambassador Charley Boorman, and BMW’s new factory Endurance rider Richard Cooper, to present its stunning new range of bikes. Making their UK debuts at the NEC were the F800 GS, F650 GS, the updated R1200 GS, and the all-new G450 X Sports Enduro. Yamaha’s groundbreaking new YZF-R125 and XT660Z were given their UK premieres as Jack Burnicle and World Superbike rider Troy Corser presented the new models with Geoff Selvidge - Divisional Manager of Motorcycle Sales and Marketing at Yamaha UK.
A host of biking stars made the trip to the Honda stand towards the end of the day to present its 2008 range to the UK market including the hugely anticipated CBR 1000RR Fireblade, the XL650V Transalp and the CBF600. Steve Martindale, General Manager of Honda Motorcycles, was joined by Isle of Man TT riders John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson, British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari, Leon Haslam, Johnny Rea, and Cal Crutchlow.
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