The final attendance at the
NEC International Motorcycle and Scooter Show
finished just 1% down on 2004, but with exhibitors,
visitors and the organisers reporting positive
feedback on an improved event.
The organisers admitted to
be somewhat relieved by the final result in
a year when all the major consumer shows have
recorded a drop in attendance.
"We knew that this would
be a hard year, but the industry has put on
a great show offering an interactive, entertaining
and informative showcase that we can build
on for the years ahead." said show organiser
Finlay Macallan.
BMW
BMW proudly revealed their
world launch as the 2006 BMW R1200 GS Adventure.
As a replacement for the
hugely popular and successful R1150 GS Adventure,
the new 1200cc model features more power,
less weight, and improved off-road capability.
The exciting all-terrain machine assumed centre
stage on the BMW stand throughout this year’s
Scooter Show.
CCM
A fantastic shot in the arm
for the British bike manufacturing industry
as leading manufacturer CCM launch its brand
new FT35S model at the show. The street version
of its American style flat tracker marks a
radical shift in direction for the British
company, although the new model does take
strong influences from the firms successful
off road history. The retro style American
flat track racer is based on a completely
new chassis that has a much reduced seat height
compared to any previous CCM model, and an
ultra low centre of gravity to give the bike
a very nimble feel whilst still maintaining
straight line stability at speed.
Ducati
Ducati launched the new Ducati
Monster S2R1000, The Paul Smart 1000 Limited
Edition and the Sport 1000 to the UK market.
Honda
The new Honda Deauville appeared
in the UK for the very first time at the NEC.
For 2006, the bike has received new looks,
courtesy of updated bodywork, a new headlight
and a two-position adjustable screen.
Also new to the show was
the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade - a legend since
first launch back in 1992, the new-generation
does not disappoint. With race wins in World
Superbikes and the fiercely competitive British
Superbike series, the Honda Fireblade is one
of the most competitive race machines out
on track.
Finally, Honda’s newest
addition to the CBF range, the CBF1000 arrived
at the NEC set to take the ideals of performance,
value and ease-of-use to a higher level. The
CBF1000 embraces Honda’s ‘just-fit’
outlook on motorcycle design, ensuring that
the bike is comfortable for many different
people as well as being easy to ride and fun
to use.
Kawasaki
Leading manufacturer Kawasaki
unveilded an incredible four new models to
a UK audience for the first time at the NEC
show – the ER-6f, ZZR1400, VN900 Classic
and KX450F.
Suzuki
Suzuki launched several new
models including the GSR600 which enters the
Suzuki range offering an unrivalled package
of performance, handling, technology, style
and comfort, in an exciting new middleweight
streetfighter. The race bred GSX-R series
has two new additions with the GSX-R600 and
GSX-R750, and with over 20 years of development
behind the series, Suzuki expects the next
generation of GSX-Rs to be the most advanced
sports motorcycle ever! Finally, the iconic
Bandit 1200/S leaps on to centre stage in
2006 with a long list of updates and changes
geared at making the machine even more appealing
to the masses.
Triumph
Triumph launched three new
models in the the UK at the NEC. The Rocket
III Classic – the follow-up to the hugely
successful Rocket III shares the same engine
and composed chassis as the Rocket III, so
effortless riding whether two-up, fully-loaded
with luggage, or solo comes guaranteed.
Adding a new twist to the
Modern Classics range is the twin-cylinder
Scrambler which makes its UK debut at the
NEC. A fresh take on Triumph’s past,
the Scrambler is a redefinition of the bikes
made famous by 50’s thrill-seekers such
as Steve McQueen. Authentic styling cues such
as the flat seat, small headlight, knobbly
tyres and upswept pipes make the Scrambler
a ‘must see’.
Finally, the triple-cylinder
Daytona 675 Triple - one of the most eagerly
awaited bikes of 2006 - will also be on show
in Birmingham and promises to be the first
three-cylinder middleweight with masses of
bottom-end torque, linked to a heavy mid-range
punch that’s topped with a searing burst
of peak power.
Yamaha
Yamaha unveiled their most
exciting new line-up for many years, featuring
the awesome new YZF-R6R, bristling with MOTOGP
technology and YZF-R1SP- a high spec limited
edition tour-de-force. Touring fans were amazed
at the FJR1300AS- the first production semi-automatic
motorcycle. Also new for this year are the
brutal FZ1 Fazer machines with R1 engines
and funky MT-03 660 model.