Fiona and myself decided to go take a look at this new prototype Honda Africa Twin at the NEC last weekend, I took a few pics so thought I'd share my thoughts on the new bike and the show in general with you folks.
We flew down from Inverness to Birmingham on the Friday and stayed for the weekend in the Premier Inn. The NEC is easy walking distance from the hotel, even in the rain it wasn't too bad!
The door we went in took us past the Comicon show which was full of the weirdest characters you could imagine! There were plenty scantily clad ladies to ensure I walked into several people gazing in awe! LOL! Fiona of course thought it funny to ask for me to be accosted by a group of Star Wars fanatics! Bloody weirdo's! All good fun though!
- Bloodyweirdos.jpg (33.11 KiB) Viewed 1434 times
At the door of the bike show we met up with Hudders, Russ, Mica and Cath who put up with us for the whole day!
First stand was the new Norton. I had a seat on one and thought it a nice machine for a day bike but at £17k I think it'll have to wait!
Russ took me to see the new Triumph Tigers but I wasn't overly impressed by them. Just a few mods to keep an old model selling until something new comes along.
On to the main event for me, the Honda UK stand. The usual sportsbikes and soft roaders were on display, the Fireblade always makes me drool, just love those HRC colours too. The softroaders did very little for me really. I did enjoy their coffee and cupcakes while watching their floor show with a group of dancers, very polished and professional looking!
The main attraction for me was the ramp with the CRF450, NXR800 and the all new Adventure bike from Honda! I spent a long time taking in all the small details and the bike looks well sorted. The frame is pressed steel so not the finished article as they are using an alloy one on the finished one. The rear brake pedal looks a bit of an afterthought made of alloy, obviously not so good if you drop the bike but it may be changed on the finished article. The Showa suspension looks pretty trick and should be easily set up for all conditions. The new parallel twin 1000 motor looks complicated but further investigation is required. The one on show is a DCT model with no clutch or gear pedal but I'm told a manual version is expected. BUT,, what do I think? WELL,,,I can't wait to see it in HRC colours and sitting on my driveway!
- Hondastand.jpg (226.74 KiB) Viewed 1434 times
- Meandmynewbike.jpg (74.87 KiB) Viewed 1434 times
No other bikes really took my attention, just same old, same old.
I did have a good look at the Honda Civic race car that was there, nothing to do with the firm young woman who posed in the photo with me honest!
- NiceTypeR.jpg (72.28 KiB) Viewed 1434 times
Fiona as usual, enjoyed her time trying smaller bikes, I think she's well in love with the little Monkey bike!
- Fionaandmemonkey.jpg (43.76 KiB) Viewed 1434 times
Special thanks to Hudders, Russ, Mica and Cath for spending an enjoyable day with us.
Any way, a good day was had by all and there's a few pics to give you an idea of the atmosphere.
- TT.jpg (69.52 KiB) Viewed 1434 times
