Having not been for the last couple of years I was struck how depressing the whole thing felt. There was nothing exciting worth seeing and no discounts on any decent gear - most of the stuff I looked at was being sold for 10% more than what you can get online (with p+p included).
There was a definite air of desperation about the place with hordes of bikers just shuffling about…
No change there then
Yeah, that has been my experience at some of those events, although I didn’t go to the show this weekend so can’t say about that one specifically.
Sorry I have to disagree. The last time I went which I think was 2007 or 2008, there dozens of stalls selling the same crap tools, the clothing stores were all selling Frank Thomas and nothing else. There were also only a handful of manufacturers showing bikes.
This year, there was Honda, Harley Davidson, Victory, BMW, KTM, Aprillia, MV, Kawasaki, Triumph, Yamaha and a couple of others that I can’t remember. Had a look at quite a few bikes as I’m looking at a Tourer for next year, or maybe a lower power bike such as Honda’s new CB500 range. As for clothing there isn’t much that I need so wasn’t on the look out. I did however get a very significant discount on a Starcom Advance (~25%), and I also have a large discount from SW Motech when I place an order for a top box for the KTM. Also have a 15% discount ticket for ordering from another companies website. The discounts alone more than paid for the ticket, drinks, and meal out. And there were more people there creating a good buzz.
Also got information on trail riding in the UK and Andalusia straight from the guy who runs it. I find it better to talk to people face to face rather than reading a website or sending questions by email.
I went with Anita, Lawrence, John, and Alex, and bumped into dozens of people, including a couple I had not seen in years.
Bottoming out the suspension on a Honda trail bike was funny, and seeing Tiggi a stride a horrible puke yellow HD was just hilarious specially when the sales man thought she was really interested in it! 
I’ll be honest this is one of the best bike shows that I have been to, and it was a positive experience for me.
Was rubbish. No deals on clothing or accessories and as mentioned above, most of what was being sold can be bought online for a lot cheaper.
Went with a big list of things to get for the quad, crossers and road bikes and couldn’t get any of it. Had to buy a numberplate so it didn’t feel like a completely wasted journey, even though it cost 15 quid when I could have ordered it online and got it delivered for 11!
Went with a group of mates and saw some friends up there, all said the same thing, it’s off the list of bike shows to go to from now on, Suzuki couldn’t even be bothered to go…
Haha please tell me the HD satnd was packed because everyone like me was there as a joke!! 
I was out riding my bike instead of standing around talking about them…Bike shows=Pay everyone else but yourself…
If you weren’t getting good prices you were doing it wrong - don’t settle for the price they tell you… Haggle and tell them someone else is doing it cheaper at the same show!
I enjoyed it, looking at bikes & accessories and a few beers - its never going to be the best show (neither will Ally Pally) because that is what Milan & NEC show are for!!!
Its just a chance for anyone who didn’t make it to Birmingham to get another look at this years models up close because they are closer to being available in the dealers… As for Suzuki, they will be there next year as the updates for the superbikes are due at the end of this year same as Yamaha!
Well I really enjoyed it. It did get a bit crowded by about 2.30pm so I had a late lunch sitting on the balcony of a nice cafe in the concourse area listening to a very good pianist, away from the crowds. By about 4pm it started to thin out quickly again so I had plenty of time to wander around looking at the very lovely bikes on display, especially the classics and customs. Had a long conversation with a bike builder called John, who built this magnificent specimen, he’s in the blue top on the left, a very nice guy…
Great to see you Kevsta, Wee Frenchie, Serrisan and Nonsense 
My photos here - including of the yellow Harley (a friend has one so asked me to get shots of the latest model). I was also tasked by others to get shots of the latest Moto Guzzi California, hence its appearance.
that seems to be the general feeling. i have spoken with a couple of people who regularly go to these shows, it seems that the exibitors still cant grasp the concept that they are going to loose out if they dont compete with the online business.
people dont seem to want or know how to haggle on prices, which is fair enough as it shouldnt be the way to go in the first place.
i’m glad to hear other kind of business are finding this useful, i.e. the trip organizers, the OMC, and such, which provide a service rather than selling goods therefore a face to face approach can mean loads more interest.
also people seemed to have enjoyed meeting the champions and the shows they put up.
£20 to get in - £14 in train fares from Bromley - £4.50 for a pint of Calberg p*%s - £7.90 for a pasty (which was horrible) and an orange juice - complete p&^stake.
Extemely dull exhibition - could have gone to P&H in Crawley and seen most of what was on display.
The champions??..I wasn’t there!!
I tried haggling on a Kriega backpack and got nowhere. Dainese winter gloves and the new Shoei Neotec lid ditto…ordered the gloves online this morning for £85 delivered or £110 at the show…
Kriega guy told me that if I bought 3 he’d give me £5 off bringing them down to £105…
I thought I saw you but I wasn’t 100% sure 
The Neotec was on sale everywhere at the show for £350. The best I’ve ever seen it available for, with LB forum discount, is £410. Anywhere. £350 is a damn good price – I paid full price for mine at HG and still consider it a damn good lid.
Kriega is one of those brands that will never offer any discount because they think it would devalue their product. I’ve never ever seen a kriega item on sale…
Haggling was possible on stuff and you could get good deals but that was mostly on items that were old lines that were being discontinued… But even with the modern ones (I remember a dainese GTX jacket) you could get more than 10% off…
I walked around for about an hour and left.
Not that great.
Personally I had a good Sunday there, I spent a lot of my time at the OMC and Arc-On stand which was great fun! Such a change in people this year in terms of their response to OMC, they have heard of them and were enthusiastic. I was chatting away to a real variety of people, handing out balloons to kids - something so simple made them so happy, I kinda hope that other people would have this feeling with the show. I don’t think the London show pertains to be anything like the big shows (NEC etc). Also given the recent economic down turn it’s hard for small businesses to get to shows so felt like there weren’t as many stalls as there were last year.
Admitadly I wasn’t there to buy anything as such (although ended up with a Ducati hoodie and a t-shirt) but felt if I did want something at a good price it would have just taken some haggling. Yes being a busty blonde probably has it’s bonus points however if anyone wants a hand getting a good deal next year am more than willing to help out ;). I would also say get chatting to people, you never know who you might meet or what you might get out of it.
Good thing you’re the latter, the former could get you into lots of trouble! 
Even the bike show girls were second rate. (No sexism intended just an observation)
