The Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show 2009 opened its doors today at the Birmingham NEC with a spectacular line-up of new bikes and household names from the motorcycling world out in force to thrill visitors.
As the UK’s premier two-wheeled Show, the ten-day event is a focal point in the biking calendar attracting a 140,000 strong crowd together with world and UK bike premiers from all the leading manufacturers. With an all-new Off Road Zone making its debut this year, every facet of the bike industry is now represented at the Show, culminating in both the highest number and range of bike launches ever witnessed at the event.
Highlights included the return of the iconic British marque, Norton, whose stand has already been the destination of choice for hordes of visitors including world-renowned chef, Gordon Ramsay, who marvelled at the Commando 961SE and the Café Racer Commando. Other big names lining up to reveal their stable of latest bikes included Kawasaki who featured heavily with no fewer than five bikes being introduced to the UK market for the first time, from supermoto and MX style machines to the restyled Ninja, 1400GTR and all new Z1000. Meanwhile, KTM presented the most powerful single cylinder of all time, the 690 Duke R, alongside Victory’s stunning CORE concept, which was on show for the first time outside of the US. Visitors have also been treated to a spectacular range of the latest models from BMW (S1000RR), Suzuki (RM-Z250, RMX450Z Enduro, GSX1250FA, Intruder M1500), Kymco (Naked KR 125 & LIKE 200i) and Husqvarna (SMS630), which marked their return to the Show after a 12 year absence.
The Show would not be complete without the welcome presence of riders and commentators from the worlds of MotoGP, World and British Superbikes and The Isle of Man TT. Facilitating various bike launches and meeting visitors have been James Toseland, Troy Corser, Bradley Smith, John McGuinness, Charley Boorman, Carl Fogarty, Leon Haslam and Steve Plater with many more stars expected throughout the Show. Breathtaking daily performances by some of the world’s most notable supercross stars including defending SX1 and SX2 Champion Mike Brown, title challenger Zach Osborne and newly crowned Canadian MX1 Champion and double British Supercross Champion Colton Facciotti, have been whetting visitor’s appetites ahead of the opening round of The Future West ACU British Supercross Championship which get underway on Saturday 5th November at the NEC.
Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of MCI Exhibitions, commented on the first day of the 2009 Show: “The atmosphere here on the opening day at the NEC has been electric – the buzz about the new Off Road Zone, the Supercross Championship, the riders, interactive features and competitions is what this Show is all about. I am really looking forward to welcoming thousands of bike fans, newcomers to motorcycling and families to the NEC over the next ten days to discover it all for themselves.”
Visitors have every opportunity to enter various competitions at the Show where, on the opening day, David Outhwaite from Salisbury in Wiltshire already walked away with a full set of leathers, helmet, bike service and insurance cover courtesy of George White Superbikes and Carole Nash whilst Barry Smith from Birmingham was awarded £1,000 and the help of a personal shopper to spend on the vast range of bike accessories available at the Show!
The 2009 Carole Nash Bike Show NEC is open to the public until 6th December in halls 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4 & 5. Ticket prices for this year’s Show have been frozen giving visitors even better value.
For more information visit www.motorcycleshow.co.uk.
