2025 London bike show

[IndigoJo]

Did anyone go to the bike show this weekend?

 

I found it a bit disappointing in terms of which marques were there and to what extent. Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Royal Enfield were out in force and had pretty much all their models available for a sit-on. KTM had a few models out but most if not all were roped off. Honda had a stand but quite a few models missing (I'd have liked to try out an NX500) and Yamaha represented only by Capital Moto and only a few (mostly top end) models. Voge were nowhere to be found and that was a disappointment after seeing all the rave reviews.

 

Honda had an early GoldWing at their stand. Having never seen one before (seen plenty of modern ones), it was quite a surprise to look at - nothing like today's GoldWing, just a big 70s naked bike. I wonder how much it went for. 50 or so years old so it's ULEZ exempt.

[bonio]

Yeah, I went and had a blast. But it's been a while since I went to a show, and I went expecting little, so I was easily pleased. I thought Capital Moto had brought along a good range of Yamahas, and I had a bit of a laugh seeing how far my legs would have to grow to reach the ground on the Low Tenere. The BMW stand seemed to have everything you'd want to see, and I reminded myself again why I don't want another GS. I noticed the missing NX500 at the Honda stand; it would have been good to have seen it there, but they must have had 20 different models to try out, so they put some effort in. The KTMs were brought along by a dealer in London, and you're right, there weren't many there; they had to share the stand with MV Agustas and a few others. HD had a good stand though, and you could sit on them all, too. Made me realise I'd never want to own one. No Guzzis anywhere to be seen; that was a pity. And like you said, no Voge.

 

[Fish]

I went on Saturday and it reminded me of rhe first post covid show. Excel must be doing them some mega deal as I just cant see how they make any profit/prestige to grow the show. It was almost like the bike parking area was close to half the size of the event. 

 

The Sammy Miller stand got most of my attention, but otherwise I just feel it lacks any buzz that you get from the NEC. 

[IndigoJo]

1 hour ago, Fish said:

I went on Saturday and it reminded me of rhe first post covid show. Excel must be doing them some mega deal as I just cant see how they make any profit/prestige to grow the show. It was almost like the bike parking area was close to half the size of the event. 

 

The Sammy Miller stand got most of my attention, but otherwise I just feel it lacks any buzz that you get from the NEC. 

Apparently the deal the show is under is in its final year, so they're negotiating terms for future conferences and there may or may not be any.

[bonio]

I wouldn't be surprised if it comes to end. It gets a lot of flack on places like reddit.

[JRH]

13 hours ago, bonio said:

I wouldn't be surprised if it comes to end. It gets a lot of flack on places like reddit.

Me too. The hall has got smaller and there are fewer bikes being shown over the years. 
But I think the same is true for the NEC.

[Capt Sisko]

4 minutes ago, JRH said:

Me too. The hall has got smaller and there are fewer bikes being shown over the years. 
But I think the same is true for the NEC.

I think this is true of trades shows and exhibitions generally. Pre internet it was the way industry launched new products, showed it wares and generally waved the flag, and the punters came flocking through the doors. Now, and these exhibitions are so expensive to attend, man and monitor the value of. £5000 to £10,000 for a basic shell scheme isn't unusual, and that's before you 'hire' electric sockets, lights or create posters. As for the big open stands the say Honda need to host 20 motorcycles you can sit on plus all the other 'stuff' needed. You ain't going to get change for a £100k at Excel or the NEC just to rent the floor space and pay for the necessaries you need. It's little surprise many industries are turning to other means of advertising.

 

It's worth a quick scan of the below to see how much the exhibition halls charge for the essential 'extras'

https://www.thenec.co.uk/media/6998/nec-exhibition-full-order-form-printable-22-23.pdf

[RideWithStyles]

honda will only show what they think will be good sellers and maybe a public reaction/teaser if lucky.

its a great shame when a manufacturer doesnt/can’t attend a show.

 the basic small stand costs an absolute fortune to run let alone the big ones that the manufacturer go for and more elaborate it goes up,

there’s the set up design, preparation, layout, stands, walls, floors, lighting, fixed bike stands, posters/leaflets, pay of setup, TVs, tables chairs, desks, computers, IT crap, workers pay, clothing, staff, pieces you lay out, stocking of merch,  cleaning/repairing/replacing of said stuff, for a week, then transport…..so much more, so for someone like Honda or bmw it’s way more than £100k…

they are more of a showcase/advertisement than a money making spin, never had, never will, but if you don’t show the chances of getting a bite is less….especially if a dealer isn’t around the corner. 

the “sellers” sweet spot for size and selling stuff will be clothing,helmets, accessories and tyres etc. 

 

how many people really will turn up Ona bike when most already have a car?

then if other people will be going will in go in the car at that time of year…. Bit of a low ball throw on a low (cold) end of the season for a small country to be honest.

[S-Westerly]

The show i really want to go to one day is the Italian  EICMA one. That always seems the best going.