Suzuki’s restoration of the G-54 – the precursor to the iconic RG500 Grand Prix machine – at Motorcycle Live 2018 has been voted as the best manufacturer feature at the annual motorcycle show, the second time Suzuki has won the award in as many years.
The bike was restored to working order by former Grand Prix technician Nigel Everett with the help of Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme. There was also assistance from Barry Sheene’s former technician Martyn Ogborne on weekends.
Positioned not only so visitors could get a closer look at it, but the bike was also fired into life at various points during the event, allowing enthusiasts to see it in the metal and also revel in the sounds and smells of the legendary two-stroke machine. Paul Smart, who raced the bike in 1974, was also present to talk about his experiences.
Suzuki GB aftersales co-ordinator, Tim Davies, who organised the live build said, “We’ve done a few builds and restorations in recent years at Motorcycle Live, but this is probably one of the most interesting because of the story that comes with the bike. When we learned about it and talked about bringing it back to life we were all really excited about the prospect. That’s when we thought, ‘if we’re this excited, hopefully other motorcycle enthusiasts will be too’. So we made the decision to bring it to Motorcycle Live so everyone else could enjoy seeing and hearing it restored to its former glory, and we’re really pleased to learn that it was appreciated by the visitors.”
The G-54 concept was born in May 1973 as Suzuki prepared to return to Grand Prix racing in the premier class, five years after withdrawing following regulation changes by the F.I.M.
The bike – where G denoted Grand Prix use only and 54 stood for 1974 – was designed and built under the stewardship of Makoto Hase and Makoto Suzuki, who had previously been tasked with converting the GT250, GT500, and GT750 machines into the TR250, TR500, and TR750 race bikes.
Barry Sheene got his first taste of the machine in November 1973, but to help keep the weight down the G-54 employed an open cradle chassis with no lower chassis rails beneath the engine. However, despite finishing second in its first ever Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand in April with Sheene aboard, by June the chassis had been replaced with a conventional double cradle design. It was raced by Sheene, Smart, and Jack Findlay that year.
The award is decided purely by public vote with no input from organisers or the Motorcycle Live show committee, which only adds to Suzuki’s delight in knowing it has bought pleasure to the motorcycling community.
For more information on Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme and Suzuki’s range of motorcycles, click here.
Watch the bike fired into life at Motorcycle Live here.
Suzuki successfully raised over £4,000 for charity at Motorcycle Live, which took place from 17-25 November at Birmingham’s NEC. The Japanese brand’s hospitality area, from voluntary donations for free hot refreshments, raised over £3,000 for the automotive industry’s BEN fund, while the Vintage Parts display and race bike build raised over £1,000 for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
The pop-up coffee stop, situated on Suzuki’s show stand, has become a Motorcycle Live mainstay in recent years. Providing an area for show-goers to enjoy a break from wandering the halls, grab a hot beverage and take the weight off their feet for a few minutes, it served over 8,500 cups of tea and coffee over the nine-day show.
This year Suzuki raised a total of £3,527.50 for BEN, an independent charity and dedicated partner to the automotive industry, providing support for life for its people and their family dependents, whether that be financial, physical, mental or social.
Meanwhile, Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme always provides visitors with an impressive array of classic road and race bikes, and this year rebuilt the very first RG500 race bike built in 1973, before it was raced in Grands Prix in 1974. Collecting for Birmingham Children’s Hospital during the restoration, £1,036.61 was raised over the course of the show.
Suzuki GB head of marketing, Fiona Cole, commented, “Every year Suzuki takes the opportunity to raise money for charity at Motorcycle Live. The hospitality area always proves to be incredibly popular with visitors to the show and whilst the drinks are free, we encourage visitors to make a donation to our nominated charities and we’re incredibly thankful to everyone who made kind donations to help us raise as much as we did for the two superb causes.”
Motorcycle Live 2018 saw 103,702 bike fans enjoy nine days of action-packed, interactive two-wheeled entertainment, during a show that has been hailed a success by exhibitors and visitors alike.
The event was packed with brand-new metal from over 40 of the world’s leading manufacturers. Much of the 2019 machinery on display had been launched just one week previously at EICMA in Milan, while Kawasaki, Norton and CCM chose Motorcycle Live to unveil never-seen-before 2019 models to the bike-mad crowd.
The brand-new Moto-Cirque arena debuted with a spectacular live stunt show combining FMX, street bikes, BMX and dance – all taking place in total darkness aside from meticulously-coordinated LED lights and lasers set to an awesome soundtrack.
“What a show, we’ve had an amazing week”, said CEO of Norton Motorcycles, Stuart Garner. “It’s the biggest show we’ve ever done and we’ve had the biggest footfall we’ve ever seen on the stand, so a huge thank you to the organisers for making it happen. It’s been a record show for Norton and we hope everyone has enjoyed it as much as we have.”
“We have broken the European record in terms of sales at shows, so Motorcycle Live has been really successful,” said Peter Riley, managing director of Airvest Ltd/Helite UK. “That is obviously fantastic, but what has been the real joy about this year’s show is the people that have visited the stand to tell us how our product has saved their life. It’s moments like that that make coming to the show absolutely worthwhile.”
Motorcycle Live 2019 will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 16-24 November – save the date
Earlier this month Kawasaki revealed plans to revive one of the most enduring and identifiable Kawasaki brands in the form of the new W800 Street and W800 CAFE parallel twin, air-cooled motorcycles.
We are pleased to announce that the first European public unveiling for the new 2019 Kawasaki W800 Street and W800 CAFE will take place at 2018 Motorcycle Live from 22nd Nov.
Having little in common with previous iterations, the newly born Euro4 compliant twins are “90% new” with a whole host of styling, technical and practical changes, many of which are, at first, hard to detect. Sharing a completely new chassis, each machine has powerful new brakes – including a rear disc for the first time on a W – as well as ABS and, in another nod to contemporary riding, LED lighting.
Celebrating the fact that “original never goes out of style” both the stripped for action 773 cm3 bevel driven camshaft W800 Street and W800 CAFE can trace their roots back over half a century to the original 1966 W1 650; at the time the largest capacity four stroke machine manufactured in Japan.
Fully A2 licence compliant and with a targeted maximum power of 35kW*, the authenticity, classic style and seductive good looks of the new W800 Street and W800 CAFE are sure to attract new riders… as well as tempting existing licence holders who appreciate classic style and carefully considered simplicity of form and function.
Suzuki is showcasing a number of striking new colour options for its 2019 model range at Motorcycle Live, including new liveries for its V-Strom 1000XT adventurer and full GSX-S range.
The use of blue and white is synonymous with Suzuki, and for 2019 those colours appear on the flagship V-Strom 1000XT adventure machine, with a blue beak, rims, and seat trim offset by the white tank. An updated yellow version – which pays homage to the iconic DR-Z Dakar-racer – is also available alongside an all-black edition. The V-Strom 1000 can also be had in the subtle-yet-classy all-black, as well as a fresh all-white. A deep red model completes the options.
The motocross-derived yellow can be found on the V-Strom 650XT, complete with gold rims and spoke wheels. A new white paint scheme with subtle blue decals joins the range for 2019, alongside a red and black version of the same scheme. A stunningly classy black and grey V-Strom 650 comprises of a black tank, seat, and wheels, with a grey beak. That grey beak carries onto white and red versions of the middleweight adventure machine.
The Royal Automobile Club took to the main stage of Motorcycle Live on Saturday 17 November to reveal the contenders for the coveted 2018 Torrens Trophy, won last year by World Superbike racer Jonathan Rea MBE.
Barrie Baxter, Chairman of the Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee said, “We are delighted to have teamed up once again with Motorcycle Live. It seems only appropriate to announce the contenders of one of the most prestigious industry trophies at the UK’s largest motorcycle show. The Torrens Trophy celebrates an individual or organisation considered to have made an outstanding contribution to motorcycling in Britain”.
The Torrens Trophy will be presented at the prestigious Pall Mall clubhouse early in 2019. In no particular order, the shortlist of nominees for the 2018 Torrens Trophy is:
Ben & Tom Birchall: The brothers from Mansfield were crowned the 2018 FIM World Sidecar Champions at the final round of the season in Germany. With only one point separating the leading two teams coming in to the seventh round, the championship saw a spectacular showdown between them and their closest rivals. The win gave the Birchalls a third world title and second championship victory.
Leon Haslam: The Haslam family is one of Britain’s great bike-racing families. Leon has raced in MotoGP, World Superbike and British Superbikes, following his father Ron. In 2018 Leon dominated the British Superbike Championship, taking 15 race wins and ending the season 70 points clear of his nearest rival. He was finally crowned champion, after cruelly losing in 2017 due to a crash caused by brake failure.
Peter Hickman: Lincolnshire rider Peter Hickman won the Superstock and Senior TT races at the 2018 Isle of Man TT and set a new outright lap record of 135.452mph, around the world’s most famous road circuit that has been in action since 1907.
Tai Woffinden: In 2018 the British speedway rider won his third Speedway World title and became the most successful British speedway rider of all time. He overcame the pain of breaking his foot in a crash in Heat 11 to win the final Grand Prix of the season in Poland. The 28-year old also won the title in 2013 and 2015.
The Club’s Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee consists of Chairman and ex-bike racer Barrie Baxter, Royal Automobile Club Chairman Ben Cussons, well-respected motorcycle journalist and TT winner Mat Oxley, commentator and former racer Steve Parrish, Club member Richard Bourne (son of motorcycle journalist, Arthur Bourne, in memory of whom the Trophy is awarded) and Queen of Bikers Maria Costello MBE who has held the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course.
The Torrens Trophy The Royal Automobile Club has always had a close association with the motorcycling world. The Club formed the Auto Cycle Club in 1903, which went on to become the Auto Cycle Union in 1947. The first motorcycle race was held on the Isle of Man in 1905 for cars – two years before the first Tourist Trophy for motorcycles.
The Torrens Trophy recognises an individual or organisation considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of safe and skillful motorcycling in the United Kingdom OR to have made an outstanding contribution of technical excellence to further the cause of motorcycling in the UK OR to have shown outstanding skill in international motorcycling sporting events in the United Kingdom.
The Torrens Trophy was first awarded in 1978 in memory of Arthur Bourne, a motorcycling journalist who wrote a column under the name Torrens. Arthur Bourne was also a Vice-Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. It has only been awarded 11 times in its history and only when the Club feels that the achievement justifies it.
Previous winners of the Torrens Trophy include:
2017 Jonathan Rea MBE for being the first rider to win three consecutive World Superbike Championships.
2016 MotoGP racer Cal Crutchlow for being first British rider to win a premier class World Championship Motorcycle Grand Prix in 35 years.
2015 Eleven-time TT winner Ian Hutchinson for his outstanding determination, courage and overcoming adversity to win multiple TTs.
2014 Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne for becoming the first man in history to be crowned MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship on four occasions (2003, 2008, 2012 and 2014).
2013 Tom Sykes for being crowned the 15th World Superbike Champion, the fourth from Great Britain and only the second rider to win for Kawasaki in the series for 20 years.
2008 World Superbike Champion James Toseland was awarded the Trophy for his immense contribution to raising the profile of motorcycle racing in this country.
1998 Ian Kerr MBE of the Metropolitan Police for 20-years of tireless work in promoting safe and responsible motorcycling.
1989 BMW in recognition for their contribution to motor cycle safety through their development of their anti-lock braking system.
1981 Dave Taylor MBE for his vast contribution to motorcycle road safety.
1980 Transport and Road Laboratory.
1979 Lieutenant-Colonel Fredrick Lovegrove OBE.
About the Royal Automobile Club The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907, the Club was awarded its Royal title by King Edward VII, sealing the Club’s status as Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation.
The Club’s early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed for motor sports event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, whilst continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.
Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Motor Sport Association (MSA), and RAC Foundation while promoting its own motoring events including London Motor Week, which features the free-to-attend Regent Street Motor Show and the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, supported by Hiscox.
The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy and the Torrens Trophy.
Six new BMW Motorrad models will make their UK debut at Motorcycle Live (17-25 November) following the global unveiling of the brand’s 2019 model additions at last week’s EICMA Show in Milan.
From the faster, lighter and easier-to-handle new S 1000 RR superbike, to the continent-crunching new R 1250 GS Adventure, the BMW Motorrad stand at Motorcycle Live will be bursting with new metal, interactive fun and celeb interviews. The BMW stand features the ‘Make Life a Ride’ live experience and demonstration zone, which brings the thrill of on- and off-road riding to the NEC. The Arena stars Simon Pavey’s team of Off Road Skills instructors demonstrating the capability of the BMW GS range, plus Ian Biederman’s BMW Rider Training displays.
The hotly-anticipated update of the S 1000 RR is sure to draw the crowds with its completely new engine that uses BMW’s innovative ShiftCam technology. Producing 207 bhp and paired with a weight saving of 11 kg, from 208 kg down to 197 kg, the re-design of the S 1000 RR is faster and more agile than ever before.
The GS stable is also on display and has been bolstered with the latest developments to the ultimate all-rounder, the R 1250 GS Adventure, and the addition of the middle-weight F 850 GS Adventure, for riders looking for around-the-world capability.
Housing the most-advanced Boxer engine ever produced, BMW’s variable valve ShiftCam technology brings increased horsepower and torque to the R 1250 range. Featuring in the R, RS & GS Adventure, as well as the GS and RT released earlier in 2018, the optimised performance and smoothness provides versatility across the R 1250 model range.
Looking beyond the metal, the ‘World of BMW’ will wow visitors with its range of two-wheel experiences for riders of every level – from those learning to ride and develop road skills, to motorcyclists tackling off-road riding and touring the world. Beyond the live experiences and demonstrations, the World of BMW team will be ever present. BMW Rider Training will help beginners get to grips with the basics of motorcycle controls on a rolling road, while Motorrad Tours will inspire visitors with the best motorcycling roads that the world has to offer.
Motorcycle Live takes place between 17-25 November at NEC, Birmingham, you can find BMW Motorrad in Hall 2, at stand 2B20. Alongside more than 40 BMW machines on the stand, visitors can browse a selection of BMW Rider Equipment and Accessories to make sure their riding is carried out in style and safety.
Keep up to date with all the BMW Motorrad news via:
Suzuki’s ever-popular SV650 will come with improved stopping power in 2019, thanks to an upgrade to new four-piston front brake calipers.
The middleweight naked is already widely-praised, courtesy of the punchy V-twin engine at its heart. It’s also applauded for its nimble chassis and the sporty ride it delivers, a ride that will only be enhanced with adoption of the new calipers.
The changes will also further improve the bike’s performance in Minitwin and Stocktwin racing championships, where regulations stipulate the use of standard calipers.
As well as new brakes, the venerable middleweight will come with new colour options for 2019. Utilising a dark red trellis frame and red wheels is a new silver version, while an all-black model and a white and black variant will sport a blue frame and wheels.
The SV650X – which gets café racer styling and lower clip-on handlebars for an even sportier riding position – will also benefit from the upgraded brakes in 2019, and comes in a white and black retro livery plus a new brown tuck-roll seat.
The 2019 SV650 and SV650X will be in dealerships in spring, and will be on display at Motorcycle Live, which takes place from 17-25 November at the NEC in Birmingham.
Suzuki is pleased to announce ‘For One Week Only’ – exclusive and attractive offers for customers, motorcycle enthusiasts, and those looking to get into motorcycling across the country, which will run for just seven days during the upcoming Motorcycle Live show week.
Launching on Monday 19 November and running until the closing weekend of the UK’s biggest motorcycle show on Sunday 25 November, Suzuki’s acclaimed GSX-R1000R plus GSX-R125 and GSX-S125 machines star in ‘For One Week Only’ – which also coincides with Black Friday – offering customers some great savings and motorcycle enhancing opportunities.
The current GSX-R1000R – which has won superbike championship races and titles around the world as well as winning the Senior TT on the Isle of Man in its debut year – will be available with a £1000 deposit contribution as well as the choice of either one year’s free servicing* worth over £470, or a complimentary comprehensive sports accessory pack worth over £1000.
Complimentary servicing includes the first two scheduled services and the sports accessory pack includes popular items such as double bubble race screen, pillion seat cowl, engine case savers, and brake and clutch lever guards.
The GSX-R125 and GSX-S125, popular with both commuters and young people looking to get mobile, are also available with a deposit contribution of £500, with customers again able to choose either one year’s free servicing worth over £450, or £250 that can be spent in their dealership on accessories, merchandise, or riding kit.
All three models are also available on Suzuki’s low rate finance offer until the end of the year, making these great machines even more of an excellent and affordable option for customers.
Following the ‘For One Week Only’ offer, customers will continue to be able to benefit from the £500 and £1000 deposit contribution until the end of the year.
Suzuki’s Motorcycle Live show offers continue across merchandise, parts and accessories, with special scratch cards available to visitors of Suzuki’s show stand (Hall 2, stand 2D15). Each card guarantees at least 10% off any order placed on Suzuki’s online shop, while selected cards will reveal further prizes to be won, ranging from keyrings and mugs to Kindles and backpacks.
To see and experience the full Suzuki motorcycle range and take advantage of this great but time-limited offer, visit your local Suzuki motorcycle dealer in the next few weeks and order your new machine by Sunday 25 November.
*Service offer is for the first initial service at 600 miles and the 12 month scheduled service
Advance booking for the FREE Experience Adventure feature at Motorcycle Live 2018 are now open, with show visitors able to pre-book slots to ride a choice of bikes from Honda and Triumph.
The indoor bike skills course is designed to introduce participants to their first taste of adventure riding and will feature sand, mud, logs and rocks, so riders can really get a feel for how these bikes handle on the terrain for which they were made. Every rider will be accompanied by an instructor specially trained in handling their chosen model, providing tuition on bike set-up, body positioning and balance.
A limited number of spaces on Experience Adventure are bookable in advance, with the remaining slots available to book on the day. Participants are required to purchase an entry ticket for Motorcycle Live and they must have a full, clean motorcycle licence. They will be kitted out with the necessary protective clothing courtesy of Bell Helmets and Fly Clothing.
Motorcycle Live 2018 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November. Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under**. There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford HD MAX disc lock worth £25.00.
*Advance ticket prices, closing date for advanced tickets 5pm on 16 November 2018. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order. **Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Motorcycle Live is arguably the best place away from the paddock to meet and greet some of the world’s top racers – and 2018 will be no different. The UK’s biggest bike show will open on Saturday 17 November with no fewer than FIVE 2018 world champions gracing the Black Horse Stage, in the Eurosport Entertainment Zone, paving the way for a star-studded week of rider appearances.
2018 World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea, 2018 World Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden, 2018 World Sidecar Champions Tom and Ben Birchall and 2018 World Supersport 300 Champion – and the first female rider to win a motorcycle world championship – Ana Carrasco, will all appear on the Black Horse Stage with James Whitham at 12.30pm.
2018 British Superbike Champion Leon Haslam and legendary four-time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty will also appear at the show on the opening day, taking part in Q&As on the Black Horse Stage and signing sessions on their respective sponsor stands. Fogarty and Rea will take part in a chat together with James Whitham at 14.00, comparing notes on the eight SBK titles they hold between them.
The rest of the week will continue in a similar vain, with popular riders, commentators and personalities, such as James Westmoreland, Danny Buchan, Keith Huewan, Steve Plater, Julian Ryder and John Reynolds, all taking part in the non-stop entertainment. Carl Fogarty will return to the show every day from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 November.
Saturday 24 November will see Motorcycle Live join forces with the Bennetts British Superbike Championship to host the first ever official ‘BSB Day’. There will be special guest appearances from a whole host of Bennetts BSB stars, including 2018 champ Leon Haslam and fellow 2018 showdown contenders Bradley Ray, Peter Hickman and Glenn Irwin. James Whitham will host on-stage Q&As with the riders, getting all the lowdown from another thrilling season of edge-of-your-seat racing.
On Sunday 25 November, TT Day will bring the show to a close with a takeover on the Black Horse Stage featuring all the biggest names from the Isle of Man event, including John McGuinness, Conor Cummins, James Hillier and Ian Hutchinson. The riders will also appear on the Isle of Man TT stand for signing sessions and photo opportunities.
Motorcycle Live 2018 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November. Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under**. There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford HD MAX disc lock worth £25.00.
*Advance ticket prices, closing date for advanced tickets 5pm on 16 November 2018. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order. **Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. All information correct at time of release.
Kawasaki Motors UK have introduced a tantalising assortment of new models to the 2019 line-up and they are set to break cover for the first time in the UK during the upcoming Motorcycle Live show at the NEC in Birmingham, held from 17th to 25th Nov.
The all-new Kawasaki Ninja 125 and Z125 will thrill A1 licence holders. Our latest addition to the supersports category is the next level Ninja ZX-6R with a legendary 636cc capacity engine, plus a revised Ninja ZX-10R range with higher peak power of 203ps. Keeping in the theme of more power, our updated supercharged Ninja H2 unleashes an unbelievable 231ps!
In addition to new models, we will have four time World Superbike Champion and Ninja ZX-10RR rider, Jonathan Rea visit our stand for a book signing to celebrate his newly released autobiography. Don’t have a copy of Rea’s autobiography? Not a problem, you can purchase one from our stand!
Hot off the podium, the first female to win a motorcycle racing world championship and Ninja 400 rider, Ana Carrasco will also be present for a signing session along with reigning British Superbike Champion Leon Haslam. To celebrate Haslam’s triumph, renowned artist, Billy Art will be at the Kawasaki stand creating a fine artwork of Leon Haslam during the event, giving guests a rare chance to see the master pencil artist at work.
This year Kawasaki plans to maintain the title for ‘Best Manufacturers Stand’ at Motorcycle Live, taking our dealer showroom and garage inspired stand to another dimension with outdoor inspired features.
Are you a Club Kawasaki member? Perfect – you will be given VIP access to our members only area on the stand, allowing you to take a breather with a hot cup of tea or coffee and refreshments. The VIP area will also give Club Kawasaki members exclusive access and a premium view of our world famous racers during their interviews.
If you are racking your brain thinking of the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, or you need another piece of green clothing to fly the Kawasaki flag, we will have you covered with our clothing and merchandise shop at the Kawasaki stand.
Riders skill and helping to encourage new motorcyclists into our gratifying world is immensely important to us at Kawasaki, hence we will be dedicating a section of our stand to share information about our Kawasaki Rider Training School KRTS program.
Kawasaki stand location at the event – Hall 3A, Stand 3G10 & 3G15.
Find out more about Motorcycle Live 2018 here – https://www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/
A brand-new, high-tech, high-energy live action stunt show will be debuting at Motorcycle Live 2018. Moto Cirque is the brainchild of pioneering show creators Arena Sports Live and will be the first spectacle of its kind to take place in the UK.
The intensely choreographed daily performances will include world-class street bike stunt riding, BMX, freestyle Motocross and moto trials in an intoxicating mix of lights, lasers and theatrical performances. The show will be set within an amphitheater-style layout of ramps, structures and platforms, and surrounded by 2,000 seats for Motorcycle Live visitors to get a birds-eye view of the stunning show.
Entry to the Moto Cirque arena is completely FREE, with performances taking place at 12.00 and 14.00 from Monday-Thursday, 12.00, 14.00 and 15.30 on Friday and at 11.30, 14.00 and 15.30 at the weekends.
“We like to push the limits on what’s possible with a live performance and Moto Cirque will be the first of its kind,” said Matt Bates, director of Arena Sports Live. “It’s an all-new show in a completely different layout that showcases everything possible on two wheels; but what makes this show stand out, is that it’s all performed in the dark. If you’re visiting Motorcycle Live, you can’t afford to miss it!”
Motorcycle Live 2018 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November. Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under**. There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford HD MAX disc lock worth £25.00.
*Advance ticket prices, closing date for advanced tickets 5pm on 16 November 2018. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order. **Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Suzuki will restore arguably the most important racing motorcycle it ever produced at this year’s Motorcycle Live – which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC 17-25 November – with the rebuild of the G-54, the precursor to the iconic XR14 and RG500 machines that went on to take Suzuki and Barry Sheene to world championship glory.
The bike will be rebuilt over the first weekend of the show and fired into life on Monday 19 November, before being stripped and rebuilt again over the final weekend ready for a second start up on Sunday 25 November, giving visitors two chances to see the iconic machine being built.
The restoration will be carried out by former Grand Prix technician Nigel Everett. Everett worked in Grand Prix racing from the early ‘70s through to 1988, when he setup Racing Restorations, working with the likes of Sheene, Mick Grant, Kevin Schwantz, James Whitham, Roger Marshall, and John Reynolds. He also worked with Suzuki in World Superbikes from 1995 to 1997. Also present over both weekends will be legendary Suzuki technician Martyn Ogborne and former Grand Prix ace Paul Smart.
Suzuki GB’s aftersales co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said, “I think this is the most excited we’ve been for our Motorcycle Live feature build, and that’s saying something as we’ve managed to do some really cool projects in the past, from restoring a Kevin Schwantz RGV500 to building a brand new TL1000S from parts. But this bike – the G-54 – is a really rare and really special thing. It paved the way for Suzuki’s return to Grand Prix racing and spawned the bikes that took Barry Sheene to world championship glory and was raced by some incredible riders in its day. It is probably one of the most important bikes from our history, so to not only be able to restore it using our Vintage Parts Programme but do so with the likes of Martyn Ogborne and Nigel Everett is really special.”
The G-54 concept was born in May 1973, five years after Suzuki withdrew from Grand Prix racing following regulation changes by the F.I.M. But, after competing in the smaller 50cc, 125cc, and 250cc classes, Suzuki had decided to make a return, this time in the premier 500cc class.
The bike – where G denoted Grand Prix use only and 54, strangely, stood for 1974 – was designed and built under the stewardship of Makoto Hase and Makoto Suzuki, who had previously been tasked with converting the GT250, GT500, and GT750 machines into the TR250, TR500, and TR750 race bikes. The project pulled in staff that worked on the two and three cylinder 50cc machines, the twin and V4 125cc machines, plus the square-four 250cc machine.
Barry Sheene got his first taste of the machine in November 1973, but to help keep the weight down the G-54 employed an open cradle chassis with no lower chassis rails beneath the engine. However, despite finishing second in its first ever Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand in April with Sheene aboard, by June the chassis had been replaced with a conventional double cradle design. It was raced by Sheene, Paul Smart, and Jack Findlay that year.
The bike will be built and displayed on Suzuki’s stand throughout the show, located in Hall 2.
For more show and ticket information, click here. For information on Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, click here.
Kawasaki Motors UK have introduced a tantalising assortment of new models to the 2019 line-up and they are set to break cover for the first time in the UK during the upcoming Motorcycle Live show at the NEC in Birmingham, held from 17th to 25th Nov.
The all-new Kawasaki Ninja 125 and Z125 will thrill A1 licence holders. Our latest addition to the supersports category is the next level Ninja ZX-6R with a legendary 636cc capacity engine, plus a revised Ninja ZX-10R range with higher peak power of 203ps. Keeping in the theme of more power, our updated supercharged Ninja H2 unleashes an unbelievable 231ps!
In addition to new models, we will have four time World Superbike Champion and Ninja ZX-10RR rider, Jonathan Rea visit our stand for a book signing to celebrate his newly released autobiography. Don’t have a copy of Rea’s autobiography? Not a problem, you can purchase one from our stand!
Hot off the podium, the first female to win a motorcycle racing world championship and Ninja 400 rider, Ana Carrasco will also be present for a signing session along with reigning British Superbike Champion Leon Haslam. To celebrate Haslam’s triumph, renowned artist, Billy Art will be at the Kawasaki stand creating a fine artwork of Leon Haslam during the event, giving guests a rare chance to see the master pencil artist at work.
This year Kawasaki plans to maintain the title for ‘Best Manufacturers Stand’ at Motorcycle Live, taking our dealer showroom and garage inspired stand to another dimension with outdoor inspired features.
Are you a Club Kawasaki member? Perfect – you will be given VIP access to our members only area on the stand, allowing you to take a breather with a hot cup of tea or coffee and refreshments. The VIP area will also give Club Kawasaki members exclusive access and a premium view of our world famous racers during their interviews.
If you are racking your brain thinking of the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, or you need another piece of green clothing to fly the Kawasaki flag, we will have you covered with our clothing and merchandise shop at the Kawasaki stand.
Riders skill and helping to encourage new motorcyclists into our gratifying world is immensely important to us at Kawasaki, hence we will be dedicating a section of our stand to share information about our Kawasaki Rider Training School KRTS program.
Kawasaki stand location at the event – Hall 3A, Stand 3G10 & 3G15.
Motorcycle Live – the UK’s biggest bike show – opens its door at The NEC, Birmingham next month for a nine-day spectacular of all things two-wheeled. The event offers something to entertain everyone, no matter what their age or ability on a motorcycle.
In fact, there’s so much for kids to do, you’ll be hard-pushed to fit it all in to one day – and the best bit? 11-16 year olds get in for just £1 and those aged 10 and under go FREE*, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a really great day out. Here’s our top ten ways to keep the youngsters entertained at Motorcycle Live…
1) A taste for two wheels
The Strider Adventure Zone is back, providing a safe and friendly riding area with ramps, see saws and rumple strips that encourages kids aged 18 months to 5 years to explore balance and mobility on a bike. Demo bikes and helmets are provided in this FREE feature that will give your little one a taste for life on two wheels and start them on their journey to becoming a motorcyclist.
2) Go dirt riding
A full-powered Arenacross Experience will return to Motorcycle Live this year, with two mini-AX dirt tracks suitable for first-time and intermediate ability girls and boys from the ages of 4 to 12 years. Youngsters will get the chance to ride an ultra-cool electric AX machine, kitted head-to-toe in the latest AX-branded kit with instructions from the best AX coaches – and best of all, the experience is totally FREE!
3) Take a motorcycling lesson
Youngsters aged 14 and over can take advantage of a FREE 20-minute riding lesson with a professional instructor at the Get On feature sponsored by Lexham Insurance. Participants will be introduced to the brakes, gears and slow speed handling, giving them that all-important first experience of motorcycling in a safe and friendly environment.
4) See a mind-blowing show
Moto-Cirque is a brand-new FREE live action arena that promises to bring the very latest technology together with world class stunt riders, lasers and music. With seats so close to the action, your kids will feel like your part of the show! Moto-Cirque will take place three times a day at weekends and twice times a day during the week.
5) Go autograph hunting
Motorcycle Live is one of the best places in the UK to meet racers while they’re relaxed and away from the stresses of the paddock. Arm yourself with the daily schedule of autograph signings and rider appearances and make it you and your kids’ mission to seek out as many of their racing heroes as you can!
6) Race an Ace
Take it one step further than just meeting your racing heroes and try and beat them at their own game! ‘Race the Ace’ takes place at 11.30am every day on the Blackhorse Stage and sees a well-known racer go head-to-head with a member of the audience on the Isle of Man TT computer game. Children aged 14+ can take part.
7) Try the bikes for size
It’s not just the grown-ups who can climb aboard the hundreds of bikes on display and try them for size – manufacturers are more than happy to see the kids giving them a go too. There’s nothing quite like sitting astride a big, shiny motorbike to bring a big, cheesy grin to a child’s face!
8) Try all the latest kit
Motorcycle Live is a fantastic one-stop-shop for all the latest motorcycle kit and accessories, with loads of retailers offering jackets, trousers, boots, helmets and casual wear for kids. Get them trying on all the gear they’ll need to be riding pillion with you or even getting on their own two wheels in the not-too-distant future.
9) Be amazed by the weird and wacky
Aside form the brand-new bikes on display, there are also some weird and wacky machines that will amaze the youngsters. Head to the Custom Xtreme Zone supported by Back Street Heroes to feast your eyes on some unique, hand-built beauties.
10) Show them how cool you can be…
Ok, so number 10 is really for the adults BUT just imagine how cool your kid will think you are when they see you having a go at adventure riding, kitting up to head out with the Yamaha MT Tour or trying your hand at Trials. Get involved!
Motorcycle Live 2018 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November. Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under*. There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford HD MAX disc lock worth £25.00.
*Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult **Advance ticket prices, closing date for advanced tickets 5pm on 16 November 2018. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order.
The UK’s biggest bike show, Motorcycle Live, has joined forces with the UK’s premier motorcycle racing series, the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, to host the first ever official ‘BSB Day’ at this year’s event. Motorcycle Live will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November, with Saturday 24 November dedicated to all things Bennetts BSB.
BSB Day will include a takeover of the Blackhorse Stage in the Eurosport Entertainment Zone, with special guest appearances from a whole host of Bennetts British Superbike stars. James Whitham will host on-stage Q&As with the riders, getting all the lowdown from another thrilling season of edge-of-your-seat racing.
Audience members will be able to submit their own questions for the riders on the day via the #AskWhitham hashtag and could also be in with a chance of winning one of four pairs of season tickets for the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship. The ever-popular Question of Bikes quiz, hosted by Steve Parrish, will be all about seasons, teams and riders past and present.
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship will also host its own stand within the Motorcycle Live halls throughout the nine-day event, giving show visitors the chance to get even closer to the stars of the series with rider signings and appearances.
“We’re really pleased to join forces with the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, to host what looks set to be a fantastic addition to the Motorcycle Live line-up”, said the show’s managing director Finlay McAllan. “We always celebrate the championship at the show, welcoming the riders with open arms and including BSB content in our stage schedule, but this is the first time we’ll be hosting an official BSB Day. It’s exciting for everyone involved, not least the show visitors.”
Motorcycle Live 2018 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November. Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under**. There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford HD MAX disc lock worth £25.00.
*Advance ticket prices, closing date for advanced tickets 5pm on 16 November 2018. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order. **Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
This year, Motorcycle Live will play host to over 40 of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers – and what sets the UK’s biggest bike show apart from any other motorcycle event in the country is the fact that its visitors will be among the first in the world to see the brand-new 2019 models in the metal.
Many manufacturers will be shipping newly-unveiled machinery direct from the EICMA event in Milan, which takes place just days before Motorcycle Live opens its doors. Bike fans making the annual trip to The from 17-25 November will get to see, touch and – in some cases – sit on these models before anyone else.
The roll call of manufacturers in attendance reads like a who’s who of the motorcycle industry, with every corner of the two-wheeled world represented. Whether you’re into sports bikes, cruisers, tourers, scooters, three-wheelers, off roaders, electric bikes, adventure machines, trials, customs, classics or even sidecars – there is something for everyone. For the full list of manufacturers, visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/exhibitors/
Motorcycle Live will also house over 200 other exhibitors showcasing all the latest motorcycle kit. If there’s a two-wheel accessory, gadget or gizmo in existence, chances are you’ll find it at Motorcycle Live. In addition to all this, the all-inclusive ticket includes 10 FREE interactive riding features; non-stop live entertainment; biking celebrities and Moto-Cirque – a brand-new FREE live action arena that promises to bring the very latest technology together with world class riders, lasers and music.
Motorcycle Live 2018 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November. Advance tickets are on sale now priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under**. There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford HD MAX disc lock worth £25.00.
*Advance ticket prices, closing date for advanced tickets 5pm on 16 November 2018. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order. **Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult .
Triumph has won Best Manufacturer Experience at Motorcycle Live for the second year running after another successful showing at the NEC, Birmingham last November.
Visitors to the Triumph stand highlighted its knowledgable and friendly staff alongside the running of the Moto2 test engine as reasons it stood out against the competition.
Martin Hough, Triumph Marketing Manager, UK & Ireland, said: “It is great to win this award for the second year running and is a credit to everyone working at the show. We certainly made a noise with the running of the Moto2 engine, but it is more pleasing that the passion and dedication of our staff shone through. We look forward to welcoming fans to the Triumph stand at the MCN London show next month.”
Check out the Triumph Motorcycles stand (M45) at the MCN London Motorcycle Show from 16-18 February at the Excel Centre.
Suzuki’s restoration of Kevin Schwantz’s 1989 Suzuki RGV500 at last year’s Motorcycle Live has been voted best manufacturer feature of 2017 show.
The iconic Grand Prix machine was completely stripped, before being carefully and meticulously restored by Team Classic Suzuki chief mechanic Nathan Colombi on the Suzuki stand during the course of the show.
The restoration was supported by Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, which has provided some of the show’s headline entertainment in recent years, with the build of a brand new TL1000S from genuine parts, the restoration of an original GSX-R750F, and the build of Team Classic Suzuki’s Katana, which competed in the European Classic Endurance series in 2017.
The award was handed out based solely on visitor feedback.
Suzuki GB’s aftersales marketing co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said, “When we’re thinking of ideas for each show, we just do what we know we’d like to see. We’re enthusiasts, ultimately, the same as everyone that visits Motorcycle Live, and last year we were just as excited to see the full restoration of such an iconic race bike as everyone else. However, there are lots of great features at Motorcycle Live each year, so it is really special to know that what we did was appreciated, and we’re very grateful for the title.”
Suzuki’s new SV650X was on display in the UK for the first time at the event, where the Japanese brand displayed its full 2018 model range, as well as Michael Dunlop’s Isle of Man, Senior TT-winning GSX-R1000.
Motorcycle Live is biggest motorcycle show in the UK, and takes place for nine days annually in November.
For information on Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme or to view its 2018 model lineup, visit bikes.suzuki.co.uk
Motorcycle Industry News and Images mainly from UK
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