Date: 12 February, 2016
Location: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London, E16 1XL
Winter’s here and that can only mean one thing for fans of classic bikes.
Yes, the capital’s best bike show is upon us once more. The three-day MCN London Motorcycle Show gives you the chance to check out up-to-date machines, as well as enjoy some top retail therapy and unmissable interviews with your biking heroes.
Our top picks
All-star “slide” racing: Described as the US equivalent of British speedway, it’s a small track sport with thrills and spills aplenty that sees riders literally sliding to get round corners.
The racing will help to celebrate 20 years of the MCE British Superbike Championship (BSB). John McGuinness, the legendary Isle of Man TT racer, will be going head to head with a handful of the series’ greatest competitors:
• Winner Neil Hodgson (2000 on his Ducati 996)
• Winner Tommy Hill (2011 on his Swan Yamaha YZF-R1)
• Four-times runner-up Chris Walker (Crescent Suzuki)
• Two-times winners John Reynolds (2001 and 2004, the second time on his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000)
• Three-times winner Niall Mackenzie (1996-98 on his Cadbury Boost Yamaha YZF 750)
Each of the BSB luminaries will be getting back on the bikes that propelled them to fame and glory.
The live slide action can be seen three times over Friday and four times each over both weekend days.
Coys bike auction: The show stages its first world-class motorbike auction.
More than 100 cycles will be going under the hammer on the Saturday of the event.
Gems include a 1978 Ducati 900SS in an as-new condition, a Moto Guzzi 8c V8 replica and other Italian speed machines.
This is relatively unchartered territory for Coys. Last year they staged their only other bike-only sale at Oxfordshire’s Blenheim House, seeing four machines fetch record prices.
If you’re interested in bidding it costs £10 for a special auction catalogue, which admits two visitors. It costs £350, inclusive of VAT to sell.
Best of the rest
The show is divided into four different zones:
• Adventure: Learn all about adventure biking
• Custom: Some of the planet’s greatest custom machines will be battling it out on the track
• Classics: Witness some golden oldies and enjoy the show’s Classic Bike of the Year contest
• Sports/performance: See some of the newest high-tech racing bikes
There are also hundreds of retail stands where you’ll be able to pick up a bargain.
How to get tickets
Tickets cost £17 for adults in advance (£21 on the day), £15 for OAPs (£18) and children go free with each paying adult.
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