Sunday 5 December 2010

Six Appeal at the Motorcycle Show

At last year’s Motorcycle Show BMW showed a concept bike with a straight-six engine. This year it gathered together several six-cylinder bikes.

The Honda CBX is something of a favourite of mine.

From Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2010

From Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2010

I don’t think I’d ever seen a Benelli Sei before:

From Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2010

Or a Kawasaki KZ1300

From Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2010

Motorcycle Show Highlights

I spent a couple of hours going round the Motorcycle and Scooter show at the NEC.

There was a lot to take in and, as you’d expect, some shocking crowds. At least if you’re interested in learner legal stuff it is quite easy to get at. I quite liked the Kawasaki D Tracker and Suzuki VanVan, they look a bit toy-like but should not intimidate novice riders.

From Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2010

The SYM 125K looked a lot like the old Honda CG125 and also the Yamaha YBR125. At £1,500 or so it looks like good value but I’d rather buy a motorcycle from a company I know.

From Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2010

I also wanted to try a couple of sporting 125s for size. The Yamaha R125 felt a bit small (as did some of the other Yamahas I sat on). I preferred the Honda CBR125.

Of the bigger stuff, the Honda CBR1300 felt good.

From Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2010

My favourite bike remains the Triumph Thruxton. It just feels right; all the controls are just where I want them. So many bikes suffer from bars that are too wide and straight but not this British machine.