Tickets on sale now. Probably going to go this year as I want some new moulded earplugs and a few other bits. I know it will only probably take ½ a day to do it all, but needs must.
So my predictions are . . . After much moaning by customers Triumph will release a new colour "Gentleman's Taupe" a kind of beige. After criticisms in the press Honda will change the rear sprocket to a 43.5 tooth for better acceleration on the Blade. Suzuki will release absolutely nothing again, tumbleweed will blow across their stand. Kawasaki will release something green and no one will care. Yamaha will release the Arrrhh 9, in skull and crossbones colour scheme with 85 bhp, make it look like an R1 and everyone will moan the brakes are "spongy". Ducati will launch a new range of clothing for the about town Ducatista with heat resistant crotch and a branded cravat. Anyone else??
Harley will be prosecuted for pollution offences after oil leaks everywhere. HD will claim a defence of "but they have done that since we first made a bike" Buell will relaunch on the opening day of the show, and go bankrupt a week later. Norton will have a stunning bike that next to no-one can afford, and only manufacture 6 before being made to recall the Norton Unobtainium and going bust. KTM will have a concept sportsbike, with 220hp. On release some time later it will be called the Super Duke 1290+a bit Touring Max RRRRRR HyperOrange and will have morphed in to an adventure bike. Features that will be unlockable at a Dealer for an extra cost will include Touring Mode where the panniers will unlock, Sports Mode where you will have an increased rev limit from 2,000 to 6,000rpm, and Commuter Mode where the bike will start and run every weekday. BMW will have a new GS featuring 26,000 touring lights and an exclusive feature that stops the rider from seeing any other bikes than a GS. An optional update will enable the mode to be adjusted so it can also hide GS riders that have been seen to acknowledge riders of non-GSs.
And going to charge an absolute fortune to get into the exhibition and as for food and drink take the Platinum Amex Card
And throngs of people who've never sat on a bike but like to think they know all about them and want other people to think they're track aces surrounding stands you want to get to because you really are the guy who's sat on a bike and done a few track days and want to see the new model up close and intimate cos you might very well buy one.
Yer miserable git still be cheaper than sitting at home with the heating on....especially at your age