INTERMOT 2016: a spectacular programme of events awaits motorcycle fans once again
An attractive programme of active participation events and shows for old and young alike
As an event-oriented trade fair, INTERMOT will once again not only be offering its visitors product displays by companies exhibiting at the fair, but also impressive shows and many other highlights on the topics of motorcycles, scooters and motorsport. To facilitate this, the entire outdoor part of the Koelnmesse exhibition grounds – 75,000 square metres in total – are being given over to the event, along with special event areas within the halls. From 6 through 9 October 2016 in Cologne, the general public will be able to try out the current models on the various different test tracks, watch racing action and breathtaking professional stunt shows live. There are also lots of exciting things for even the youngest fans of two-wheelers to discover and try out, making INTERMOT the end of the rainbow for both motorcycle fans and families who love events. New to the programme this year are the 1/8-mile sprints as well as the Dirt Track School and the dirt track race strip.
The supporting programme of events at INTERMOT Cologne 2016 at a glance:
Event Action Areas – Outdoors
Exciting races, stunt shows and test tracks await visitors on the approx. 70,000 square metres of the Koelnmesse P1 and P8 event areas. On the Saturday of the fair, INTERMOT, together with the organisers of GLEMSECK 101, will be presenting the Sultans of Sprint and the top bikes in the Essenza competition in the legendary 1/8-mile sprints on the drag race strip – making sure that fans of high-performance purist bikes will get the most out of INTERMOT 2016. Dutchman Herman Jolink will be going at full throttle on his Ducati in the drag racing event. Another premiere at INTERMOT 2016: for the first time ever at a trade fair, a dirt track racing circuit! Among others, Dr. Martin Hünning and Dr. Robert Allgaier will be showing why this new sport is becoming increasingly popular. But we haven’t piled up several hundred cubic metres of mud and special flooring exclusively for the dirt trackers: on the Friday and Saturday of INTERMOT, the elite of the German side-by-siders will be competing in a final round of races. This is a unique opportunity to see vehicles that can only normally be seen at the Paris-Dakar rally. Proof that biking under electric power should be taken seriously will be provided by the riders in the e-bike World Challenge, featured by INTERMOT. On the drag race strip, spectators can witness live and at first hand just how much action, passion and power there is packed into the latest electric two-wheelers when they go at full throttle!
In the INTERMOT 2016 stunt shows, the best in the business will turn physics upside down and plant it all on the rear wheel. The who’s who of the stunt scene will be on show, performing before a large audience on the INTERMOT P1 and P8 event areas: Several-times European Champion and the public’s favourite, Herczeg “Mokus“ Balácz will be travelling from Hungary to be at INTERMOT. Equally ready for the off are Dirk Manderbach (BMW), Oliver Ronzheimer (Suzuki) and Chris Rid (Kawasaki), Horst Hoffmann and Dominik Csauth (both Suzuki), Arjan de Graaf (V2 Harley), local hero Dennis Jansen (Yamaha) and the “Legend Team” stunt crew (Husqvarna, Kawasaki) from Moscow. They will all be pulling off every conceivable and inconceivable stunt that they are capable of. The “Two-Stunt-Team” will be presenting cool stunts on four wheels in its quad show. Austrian Günter Schachermayr will be proving with his Vespa that spectacular stunts are even “doable” on a scooter.
Robbie Naumann and his freestyle motocross team will be performing breathtaking jumps, back flips and whips before an amazed audience – almost 20 metres above the ground. All of this makes for a great warm-up, both for the riders and the audience – as on Saturday evening in the LANXESS arena at the NIGHT of the JUMPS, it will all be about winning valuable points for the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) Freestyle MX World Championship.
Real, live riding fun – the test-ride tracks
The test-ride tracks are an absolute must for all visitors to INTERMOT. There is something here for every fan of two-wheelers – from young to old, from lovers of high-performance motorcycles right through to beginners.
The large test-ride track offers traditional, petrol-powered bikes. Anyone in possession of a valid driving licence can try out the latest one- to six-cylinder bikes here. More than 100 cool bikes of all brands and classes will be on hand. Anyone who does not yet have a motorcycle licence or would like to get back in the saddle can get a ride under their belt on the test track for “riding without a licence/as a returner” under expert supervision on the test track.
Scooters and street bikes from 50 to 125 cc make taking the first steps in learning to ride a motorcycle easy. The quad test track promises riding fun on four wheels, where any visitor who is interested in these four-wheelers and has a valid car driving licence can also try one out: simply choose a model from a range of various different ATVs and quads and off you go. Anyone drawn to travel can feel a first whiff of adventure on the touring enduro test track. These big touring bikes can be ridden under expert supervision on the challenging on-road and off-road test track. Superlight versions of enduros and specially prepared trial motorcycles reflect a trend for off-road touring that has recently emerged and this is exactly what the trial test track enables visitors to try out. To illustrate why this trend is growing in popularity, pros show just what can be done with a competition-level trial bike.
Electric mobility on two wheels is not a contradiction in terms. On the inclines and flats of the EV/LEV test track, visitors can experience the fascination and performance of electric drive technology on the latest e-bikes and e-scooters.
The Kids’ mini test track (P8) has two practice circuits ready and waiting for youngsters: one for mini bikes and the other for mini quads. This is where the next generation of motorcycle enthusiasts can have their first go at riding, safely and under careful supervision. Both circuits count towards the “INTERMOT driving licence”, which links in with other activities for children in Hall 5.2.
Action Areas – Indoors
Hall 10.1 – INTERMOT customized
The international customizing scene has been integrated into the event in a standalone, show-within-a-show format under the name “INTERMOT customized”: a tailor-made presentation platform for the target group. The whole of Hall 10.1 will become the central venue for the customizing show. This is where, in addition to the V2 custom scene, the new wave custom scene of café racers and modern adaptations will also be showcased. Numerous special events and activities on the subject of customizing will be running in parallel. Another event that will also be taking place this year again as a part of INTERMOT customized will be the AMD Championship of Custom Bike Building. It is here that the “who’s who” of customizers will be putting themselves before an international jury with their spectacular conversions. The world championship focuses mainly on the category of V2 customs, but also addresses the new custom scene with the category of café racers. The top 100 will be on show in Cologne, competing to become the 2016 world champion. In the Garage Area, professionals will be working live on site on project bikes, ensuring every step in the process is clearly explained and demonstrated. Tasks like changing the footrests, handlebars, headlights and indicators will be as expertly explained and performed as shaping and fitting a fuel tank. The area even includes a mobile spray booth. In the Garage Area, visitors can watch over the shoulders of professionals while they go about their work, can enquire about tips and tricks and come away with valuable words of advice for their own projects. In addition to the custom presentations in Hall 10.1, INTERMOT, together with Glemseck 101, is launching the “Essenza” competition: wicked conversions of two-wheelers with two cylinders, reduced to the max, made up of only the barest of essential components, highlighting the unique characteristics of the respective brands. This is where the big-name motorcycle brands take on small custom-bike workshops, aiming to take a podium place in the 1/8-mile sprint and the design category. Following an initial performance of the sprint at Glemseck 101, the final will take place at INTERMOT, along with the presentation of prizes to the winners. Online voting is open to the public for over a month, from the Glemseck festival up until INTERMOT, so that the community can use the time to decide which bike is the winner. When they are not tearing down the drag strip in the outdoor area of INTERMOT at full throttle, the outlandish Sultans of Sprint custom sprint bikes can be admired in a special event area. Biking is a lifestyle, especially for customizers. True customizers live life accordingly. Craftrad brings everything together in its concept store – bikes, fashion, design, attitude. This is where your passion for biking comes alive. On the customizing show stage, “The Stage”, visitors can enjoy talks between professionals, interviews with stars of the scene, the AMD World Championship award ceremony, the ESSENZA prize-giving, selected bike presentations and much besides, all charmingly presented by host Ilka Groenwold. Anyone wanting a restyle in true customizing scene fashion can do so in INTERMOT’s barber shop and tattoo studio. Rounding off the INTERMOT customized programme will be the “Naked Bike” show, hosted by the trade magazine Roadster. This is where visitors will be able to have a close look at unclad motorcycles in a brand-independent presentation, sit on them and get a first feel for these motorcycles – with specialist editors on hand to provide advice.
Hall 10.1 – Sports bikes special event
A particular highlight for fans of motorsport is the Sports bikes special event focusing on the subject of “Athletes and their equipment”. The trade journal PS – Das Sportmotorrad Magazin will present the latest race bikes from the Tuner GP. In the Racing special event, Bike Promotion and other sport event organisers will be showing base models and special conversions for the racing circuits of the world.
Hall 9 – Dream bike presentation
This year, readers of “MOTORAD” magazine were once again able to vote for their favourites from the last decades. The ten winning machines from the vote will be on display in the MOTORRAD dream bike special exhibition in Hall 9 at the MOTORRAD stand.
Northern section of the Boulevard – Boulevard of Touring
The “Boulevard of Touring“, which will run centrally along the northern section of the Boulevard at INTERMOT 2016 will bring the topics of touring and tourism even more to the fore. Touring motorcycles parked in the themed areas invite visitors to sit on them and try them out. Experts from the touring rider magazine Tourenfahrer will be providing information about the touring motorcycles on display and will be happy to offer ideas and suggestions for travel plans. On the Touring stage, an interesting, non-stop programme of events will be on offer: GPS and photo workshops, accounts of exciting experiences and varying photo shows, as well as tips from experienced adventurers. There is something for everyone in the Tourism Centre, immediately adjacent to the entrance area of Hall 8: advice from specialist travel operators and inspiring ideas for your next trip from hotels in the major holiday regions.
Hall 6 – AREA 4
At INTERMOT 2016, an area dedicated to quads and ATVs has been created to act as a central venue, presenting a market overview and providing an initial general insight into the subject. This is where quad specialists and motorcycle brands that also manufacture quads will showcase their product ranges in quads, ATVs and side-by-sides, divided into four themed areas: sport/off road, utility vehicles, touring, and custom. AREA 4 – showcasing the coolest quads and ATVs, all in one hall! Quadwelt (Quadworld) magazine will be awarding prizes for the best custom quads and ATVs, the ATV and Quad magazine will be presenting the “quads of the year”.
Hall 5.1 – Kids‘ Action
INTERMOT 2016 is the highlight of the year and not just for “grown-up” motorcycle enthusiasts: it is also a real experience for children and teenagers. Hall 5.1 will be entirely dedicated to “Kids’ Action”. Accommodating every age group, the hall offers a balance bike track for toddlers, whilst older children can test their skills on the bicycle and obstacle courses and gain their INTERMOT driving licence, try out Segways and Ninebots, do their first laps at the electric bike and motorcycle riding school or cruise in appropriate style at the classic bikes riding school. And the German Road Safety Organisation (Verkehrswacht) is once again supporting the education of the little visitors in the safe use of roads with a track and a park where they can practise cycling and road use. Of course, there will also be a gaming zone and “survival course“ where they can let off steam. Apart from the tracks, in 2016 the INTERMOT kindergarten will once again be available to take care of the youngsters with games, painting and fun activities, while the parents enjoy the fair. And, saving the best until last, children under 12 enter free and the cost of this fun for youngsters between 12 and 17 is only Euro 2.50 for tickets bought in advance!
Hall 5.2 – INTERMOT e-motion
The home of INTERMOT e-motion, Hall 5.2 is dedicated to the subject of electric mobility. On the ElektroRad stage, pros from the magazines ElektroRad (Electric Bike) and aktiv Radfahren (active Cycling) will be showcasing everything to do with e-bikes, touring, safety, e-scooters and, above all, how much fun can be had with electric two-wheelers. The start of the e-bike test track is also located directly in Hall 5.2. The latest bikes will be showcased and information given about them by the manufacturers. Afterwards, the bikes can be taken for a test ride on the strip! In the e-bike tourism section, INTERMOT will show how to make best use of the power of an e-bike to have an active holiday and which attractive tours are worth taking. In cooperation with Tambiente Magazine, we bring that real holiday feeling to Hall 5.2. Teams from the most exciting regions of Germany and from the neighbouring countries will show you there and then, where your next tour on an e-bike could take you.
INTERMOT Cologne will be open daily from 5 to 9 October 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on 7 October from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, 5 October is reserved exclusively for trade visitors. Private visitors can gain entry on this day with a specific day ticket on special terms. The availability of these tickets is limited. There will be no programme of outdoor activities on the trade visitor day.
