Due to the ongoing global Covid-19 Pandemic, like so many events Motorcycle Live at the Birmingham NEC has had to be postponed until 2021.
However – a 2020 Show will go on, but for this year it will be online!
Running from 21 – 29 November 2020 at https://www.motorcyclelive.co.uk you will be able to browse 51 microsites from manufacturers and dozens more from exhibitors.
Obviously it won’t be the same as a walking round the huge arena with a camera and notepad to make a shortlist of what you may buy next nor be able to go home with your new helmet or latest selection of gear for the winter or even next Season but you can still sit down with a cup of coffee and spend some time perfecting your wish list!
IMPORTANT NEWS: Today the organisers of Motorcycle Live have released an important statement with regards to “Motorcycle Live in association with Bikesure Insurance 2020.”
Show organisers for Motorcycle Live regretfully announced today that following an extensive and detailed consultation period, it has been agreed to postpone this year’s show until 2021 with concern for public safety and the well-being of industry colleagues being central to the decision.
The following open letter has been issued from Managing Director of Motorcycle Live, Finlay McAllan:
“Motorcycle Live is all about audience interaction, meeting with friends, climbing onto all the latest machines and trying on the all latest gear. Many of us use it as an annual pilgrimage to meet with friends and family and enjoy a great day out together. And it’s not just the public who join us each day – we, alongside our industry colleagues – look forward to the event every year too. Therefore, as you can imagine, the decision to postpone this year’s show has not been taken lightly. Our concern for the safety of our visitors, exhibitors and industry colleagues is at the heart of this decision.
“As with any hard decision, we looked at it with a number of different perspectives and factored in various scenarios and restrictions that could be imposed. Running an event like Motorcycle Live under the COVID-19 related restrictions – such as adhering to social distancing requirements, restricting attendance numbers and dictating the direction of people around the hall – all ultimately would have impacted negatively on the experience of those attending and therefore the very essence of the show.
“The whole of the Motorcycle Live team is extremely disappointed – as we’re sure that you are too – but rest assured we will continue working behind the scenes to deliver you a fantastic show in 2021. In the meantime, stay safe and look after each other.”
Motorcycle Live 2021 will take place from 20 – 28 November.
If you are wondering what Motorcycle Live is like, the machine on display and what you could be missing, or you would just like a trip down memory lane then make sure to check out the TBNI.Blog Instagram Page or one of the reviews from the site :*
As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
Motorcycle Live 2018 ran this year from 17th – 25th November, so now that is over I can post up a few photographs along with my thoughts on the show and what I saw this year without having to issue a spoiler.
This year saw 4 halls filled with the current (and upcoming) offerings of 40 manufacturers along with a chance to test ride numerous machines both on the road and on the ever popular Adventure course where you can test on the most popular adventure bikes on a well thought indoor track. It’s not taxing, not difficult at all, but it is fun.
The Live Arena was also present and what was previously a showcase for Arena Cross this year was taken over by Moto Cirque and what these guys can do on such a small stage really is spectacular. If you get that the chance to see their show in full, take it.
Other than that it is all about the bikes and I have composed a gallery of over 100 photos for your viewing pleasure but first I am going to point out a few of my highlights…
Motorcycle Live is probably the UK’s biggest Motorcycle Show and follows closely on the heels of the big European shows – as such it is normally the first opportunity that we in the UK get to look at all the goodies the manufacturers are planning on bring out in 2018.
That makes it a pretty exciting show for UK bike fans.
Coming from Northern Ireland though it is quite a trek to get to, and it means a really early start to get the most out of the day.
I have been going over for a good few years and I had pretty much perfected the routine of getting up early getting to Belfast for a 7.30 am flight – getting into Birmingham, getting fed and getting into the event for the doors opening at 10.00 am. The flights would have cost about £70 for the return fare – Motorcycle Live and a Programme is about £30 so all in it was about £100 for the day.
This year though I went a little different. I was able to pick up flights for £19.98 for the return with Ryanair – then the £30 for the show and programme meaning the full day was costing a mere £50 ish. The only trade off was the start time and travelling.
The flight was at 6.55 am so I had to get up at 3.00 am and head to Dublin Airport. That got me in at about 7.40 am. So 2 hours 20 minutes before the show starts. Then it was time for my best kept secret. Off the plane and up the stairs in the Airport for a Frankie and Benny’s breakfast. Every year everyone hurries off the plane and rushes to the adjoining NEC – I however go upstairs, sit down and enjoy a tasty breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs (the eggs by the way are outstanding). That was my plan this year as well although it now seems that this well kept secret has been rumbled – half the damn plane went! However the most important thing remains – the eggs were outstanding!
With breakfast eaten and thoroughly enjoyed it was still only 08.30 am. An hour and a half until the doors open, so bring a book, magazine, iPad or whatever to pass the time, or if like me you like a little flutter you could always check out the casino at the Genting Arena, about 5 minutes of a walk will take you to it from the NEC – so hop on the fun little monorail and zip over to the NEC and pass the time.
Before we even consider going any further here is the most important tip for the day :
With the imminent release of ticket sales for Motorcycle Live 2016 at the NEC Birmingham I thought I would upload my Gallery from 2015.
MCL 2016 will run from Saturday 19 November 2016 – Sunday 27 November 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham so get those dates in your diary now, and if you are travelling by air, get the tickets booked sooner rather than later to make use of the cheapest fares!
MCL is a show that I make an annual trip to from Northern Ireland, personally I think it is a great show with loads to see and do, which is hopefully reflected in the photos. In 2015 there was a demo from ArenaCross, which was outstanding given the space these guys were working with, enough that I came straight out of the show and booked tickets for the Belfast show.
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