NEC Bike Show

[Scott_rider]

I went yesterday. It was pretty good but maybe not as good as previous years. I liked the Tenere 700 (a lot) and the BMW GS's and the new Triumph Rocket 3.
As for the new Suzuki V-Strom styling then wtf have they done? it's like a throwback to 1974... ! Just my opinion....

[byewayrider]

Reminds me a lot of the classic dr800 big... But that colour is okay for Budgies and Ford ka lol...

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Yes, 'channeling the sprit of DR Big' is no doubt what the marketing department thought.

Given that manufacturers seem to be engaged in an endless 'build the ugliest bike' contest, I don't think it looks too bad.

Let's hope they have better luck with it than the ghastly over-priced re-hash of the Katana. An outrage when compared to the original Hans Muth/Target Design motorcycles.

In fact, are they using up new Katana headlamps on the 'Strom?

[TomBoyNI]

There is a DR800 there with like 5 or 6 miles on the clock.

[TomBoyNI]

I quite liked the V Strom too, I think it’s a great tribute.

[byewayrider]

Great pics of the iconic Suzuki. BIG Dr. Still looks great today .. And man is that last a picture scary copy...

No wonder Suzuki flounder in sales..

[daveuprite]

Let's hope they have better luck with it than the ghastly over-priced re-hash of the Katana. An outrage when compared to the original Hans Muth/Target Design motorcycles.

Yep, agree with that. I walked into Moto Move in Limoges a couple of days ago. A big multi-dealership. I hadn't yet actually seen the new Katana in the flesh. Well I walked straight past a black one without even noticing it. Only when I properly concentrated on which bikes were which could I pick out the Katana from all the GSRs and other rather dull semi-naked street bikes. Suzuki have really missed a trick with the Katana and badly wasted the chance to revive an iconic name. The new one in no way lives up to the original vision.

In contrast, in the Kawasaki section, there sat a beautiful shiny Z900RS Café in grey metallic with green stripe. It looked superb, and the perfect revival of an awesome classic bike. If I had had 14,000 euros in my pocket with nothing else to spend it on, I really think I would have taken one away with me that very day. The best translation of retro style into a really good modern road bike.



However MotoMove has recently become a Beta dealership too, and there was the whole 2020 range sparkling away calling me like sirens on the rocks. 9000 Euros now buys the brand new, mega-updated 390RR, or a 480 for just 200 notes extra. Bloody gorgeous.

[johnnyboxer]

Let's hope they have better luck with it than the ghastly over-priced re-hash of the Katana. An outrage when compared to the original Hans Muth/Target Design motorcycles.

Yep, agree with that. I walked into Moto Move in Limoges a couple of days ago. A big multi-dealership. I hadn't yet actually seen the new Katana in the flesh. Well I walked straight past a black one without even noticing it. Only when I properly concentrated on which bikes were which could I pick out the Katana from all the GSRs and other rather dull semi-naked street bikes. Suzuki have really missed a trick with the Katana and badly wasted the chance to revive an iconic name. The new one in no way lives up to the original vision.

In contrast, in the Kawasaki section, there sat a beautiful shiny Z900RS Café in grey metallic with green stripe. It looked superb, and the perfect revival of an awesome classic bike. If I had had 14,000 euros in my pocket with nothing else to spend it on, I really think I would have taken one away with me that very day. The best translation of retro style into a really good modern road bike.



However MotoMove has recently become a Beta dealership too, and there was the whole 2020 range sparkling away calling me like sirens on the rocks. 9000 Euros now buys the brand new, mega-updated 390RR, or a 480 for just 200 notes extra. Bloody gorgeous.

Those Beta do look tasty

[Tonibe63]

We didn't bother going last year due to the feeling of 'same shite, different year' but this year it was a nice day for a ride out on the bikes so why not. Sadly within an hour at the show it was decidedly meh.
For me the stand out bike was the Yamaha T7 in terms of useability, the CCM Spitfire purely for style (over function) and some of the more quirky bikes like Benelli and Himalayan .......... but maybe that was due to the rest being so uninspiring.
The best thing we saw was the Bmw offroad school demo rider, impressive skills but .......... that was about the rider not the bike.