Event Guide: How to make the most of Motorcycle Live 2022
When and where
Ticket prices
Parking
Celeb spotting
Which manufacturers are there?
What is there to do?
Demo rides
BikeSocial stand
I’m a new rider, what should I look at?
Classics & Customs
Eating and drinking
Top Tips
Yes, it’s that time of year again! Motorcycle Live - the annual motorcycle show held at the NEC in Birmingham over nine days is within touching distance – and with 174 exhibitors, including 50 manufacturers across four exhibition halls, things might appear a little daunting. So, here is our comprehensive guide on what is happening, where and when, plus how to make the most of your visit.
The undoubtable highlight is the BikeSocial stand because, if you’re a BikeSocial member (free by being a direct Bennetts customer, or via a monthly or annual subscription), come and claim your exclusive booklet containing 20 special show offers just for you! If you’re not already a member, thensign up here, or at the show and we’ll give you afree30-day trial.
Saturday 19thNovember to Sunday 27thNovember 2022, from 10am – 5pm each day.
Where does the 2022 Motorcycle Live take place?
The NEC, or National Exhibition Centre, is located eight miles from Birmingham city centre and is a series of 18 interconnecting exhibition halls comprising 45 acres of covered indoor space. The location is connected to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station.
The post code for your Sat Nav for the NEC isB40 1NT.
In advance:
- Adult (19+): £22
- Child (6 -18), when accompanied by a paying adult: £1
- Child 5 and Under: FREE with paying adult
- Car Parking: £10 when booked with your show tickets. (£16.95 if you pay on the day).
Plus £2 booking fee per order
On the Day (NEC is a Cashless Venue):
- Adult (19+): £27
- Child (6 -18), when accompanied by a paying adult: £1
- Child 5 and Under: FREE with paying adult
- Car Parking: £10 when booked with your show tickets. (£16.95 if you pay on the day).
Yes, it’s free, undercover, secure and you can park in an adjacent hall meaning that neither your pride and joy nor you will get wet. You can sail by the queues of traffic with a certified smile knowing that you’ll be saving £16.95 and about a one mile walk or a shuttle bus ride to the Motorcycle Live entrance.
And if you want to leave any kit then the cloakroom is open from one hour before the show until one hour after, and you’ll be charged £1 per item. Or you could take a lock and a bag, or top box/panniers and store your helmet, gloves, etc. next to your bike for free.
How much does it cost to park at Motorcycle Live?
If you’re heading to Motorcycle Live by car then, once you’ve queued to get in, it’s£16.95, unless you’ve booked your parking in advance when purchasing your event tickets, then it’s£10.
TOP TIP:head to the Birmingham train station where the access in to and out of the car park is less congested than the main NEC car parks, and the walkway from the station to the NEC is undercover. The 10-minute indoor walk is similar in distance as the NEC too, though get there early because there aren’t many spaces. The best bit, though - It’s£12on a weekday or£9at the weekend.
If you’re really up for a saving, then a number of local train stations offer free parking, and you could find a return ticket for less than£3.
It’ll be famous faces galore no matter which day(s) you attend. Other than to promote their own book, merchandise, sponsor, or to announce their 2023 ride, there’ll be a raft of recognisable motorcycling personalities ready for your selfies:
Steve Parrish, James Whitham, Dave Thorpe, Mick Extance and Peter Hickman are attending all nine days, while Neil Hodgson is there on seven days, with Niall Mackenzie and John Reynolds due in on five each.
BSB Daytakes place on Sunday 20thNovember with the likes of Brad Ray, Tarran Mackenzie, Jason O’Halloran, Glenn Irwin, Leon Haslam and Davey Todd on duty.
MBE’s: John McGuinness (Mon 21st), Carl Fogarty (Sat 26thand Sun 27th), Dougie Lampkin (both Saturdays and Sundays) and Gary Thompson (Tues 22ndand Fri 25th)
For the full list of riders that you might have heard of, head to theofficial Motorcycle Live site
And in the past, many familiar faces have been spotted browsing the show including HRH Prince William!
New bikes and manufacturers
50 motorcycle manufacturers are exhibiting with bikes and stands of all shapes and sizes to ogle, sit on, register an interest in, test the brake lever while stationary. Key staff from each are also on hand to advise and recommend with an array of 2023 models on display, many seen for the first time in the UK, including:
- BMW:S1000RR,M1000R,M1000RR
- Ducati:Panigale V4R,Streetfighter V4, V4S and V4 SP2,Diavel V4, andMultistrada V4 Rally
- Honda:CB750 Hornet
- Norton:V4SV,Commando 961
- Triumph:765 Street Triple
- Yamaha:MT-125, MT-07, XMAX 125, XMAX 300,YZF-R125, Ténéré 700 and Ténéré 700 Rally
As well as those that will be announced ahead of Motorcycle Live, many at the EICMA show in Milan with further models expected from Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Indian, Royal Enfield and Yamaha.
But it’s not all about new bikes. Harley-Davidson, for example, are shipping in the King of the Baggers championship winning bike as ridden by Kyle Wyman and is based on the 2022 Road Glide Limited.
The Honda Rolling Road (Hall 2) and Harley-Davidson Jump Start (Hall 3a) are features available for you to try the NT1100 DCT or either Pan America 1250 or Nightster 975.
Trade stands (retail)
安全,行李,头盔,夹克,裤子,gloves, boots, body protection, bobble hats, snoods, personalised key rings – you name it, it’ll be on sale with many traders and manufacturers highlighting special show offers too. If you fancied a new then now’s the time to a) try it, and b) get some proper professional fitting advice. Some manufacturers won’t sell at Motorcycle Live but will offer a glimpse at their full and latest range with experts on hand to chat with.
Trade stands (advice)
的一部分,摩托车是你生活的美丽end up with a raft of new ideas about riding than you anticipated – you might book a tour of Peru, buy a brown and red leather jacket, or sit on a Harley for the first time. Among those 174 exhibitors are experts in all fields of motorcycling from custom fit ear plugs, trackers, rider charities, insurance, bike rentals, tour guides, cleaners, training, lobby groups, security, and more. Cruise up and down the aisles and you’re bound to come across a friendly face who’ll enhance your motorcycling part of your life.
Black Horse Stage
At the rear of Hall 3 you’ll find the focal point to much of the interaction with the Black Horse stage playing host to a range of entertainment. Pick up a copy of the programme when you arrive or find the day’s activities listed on the Motorcycle Live social media channels, but among them will be:
- Whitham Talks– racer-turned commentator, Jamie Whitham hosts a daily talk show with guests from all corners of motorcycling.
- Race An Ace– if you’re a dab hand on the Isle of Man TT computer game, then daily at 11.30am Whitham and Steve Parrish host a competition where you can race against a TT rider.
- R&G Wheel Change Challenge– you’re against the clock as you attempt to change the rear wheel of a superbike, with prizes for each participant plus daily and overall prizes for the fastest of each day or the overall event.
- Biketrac Stronger for Longer– how long can you hold a pair of 4kg Grab Bag chains?
- Gerbing Dress for the Cold– new for 2022, the competition is against the clock and is based on the number of clothing layers that might be required.
- Question of Bikes– a daily quiz held at 1pm and hosted by Steve Parrish, sees team captains Jamie Whitham and Niall Mackenzie and their respective teams of riders and biking celebs go head-to-head with their fingers on the buzzers over multiple rounds of motorcycling trivia.
- VISIN Bike Balance –it’s a slow race challenge as the aim of the game is to take the longest time possible to ride a Ducati electric bicycle between two cones on the stage without putting your foot down.
Yes! And it doesn’t matter if you’re 18 months old, if you don’t have a licence, or if you’ve got 40 years of riding experience under your belt, there’s something for everyone, and it’s all free:
- Kiddimoto Balance Bike (Hall 4) –little ones from 18 months to 5-years-old can zip around a flat, carpeted course enclosed within an inflatable perimeter. Experts are on hand to offer guidance, and safety gear is provided. There’s no need to book either.
- Arenacross Youth MX Experience (Hall 4) –if you’ve taking children between four and 12 years-old this gives them a chance to try motocross on a purpose-built dirt track designed for novices and those more experienced. All kit is provided but places need to be booked.
- MCIA TryRIDE (Hall 2) –a free motorcycle lesson for anyone aged 14 or over, and is designed for those who’ve never ridden before, or who are returning to riding. All protective gear will be provided.
- Test Ride Zone (Hall 3a) –45 bikes from Honda, Husqvarna, KTM, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha are available to be booked on a first come, first served basis. Full riding kit can be provided, and riders must have the relevant UK licence.
- Electric Test Ride Zone (Hall 2) -all you need is a CBT or a full licence to test the latest electric motorcycles and scooters on an indoor track.
- Experience Adventure (Hall 4) –at least ten bikes are on offer from the likes of Ducati, Honda, Yamaha and Triumph for you to test your off-road skill. All kit can be supplied as well as instruction but booking on the day is recommended and you’ll need the appropriate licence for the bike you wish to ride.
And we’ve already mentioned the Honda and Harley-Davidson rolling road experiences.
How do I get the most from a demo ride?
While you wait to get on the road, get familiar with the bike’s controls and make sure you know how to change the rider mode or traction control setting if that’s going to be important to you
Again, while you wait, get the brake lever and mirrors adjusted for your taste so you’re not wasting time or concentration on the ride itself
Can you flat foot? Are you legs too splayed? Is it too big or too small?
Get your phone out and take loads of photos of the bike and its details – you’ll want to reminisce as soon as you get home
专注于对你最重要的,i.e. if you regularly carry a pillion and they’re with you, get them involved in the ride, or at least to have a seat before or after the ride to check for stability, comfort, room, weight distribution
Don’t get too close to the person in front, give them space and allow yourself plenty of breathing room too. It’s not a race either, there aren’t any prizes on offer!
Think about how the bike might fit into your life – is it easy to manoeuvre at low speed, does it have enough storage, or Bluetooth, or a USB, or cruise control, or a centre stand, or heated grips, etc.
Ask questions about the bike before the ride; does it have a slipper clutch, traction control settings, or a quickshifter?
What’s the weather protection like – if that matters? Is there a screen, is it adjustable? What about hand guards? Will you take it on track, in which case does it have a brake lever protector?
Maybe go armed with a list of questions to the manufacturer stand before, or after your ride.
Is there enough power, or too much? Where does the bike make that power, if city commuting with an average speed of 20mph mainly in third gear is your common ride then how does the bike feel at that speed in that gear, and how light is that clutch/accelerator ratio? Is it practical?
Yes, we have our own stand! Based in Hall 3 (Stand 3C47) behind the188bet金博宝注册stand, a selection of our very own Steve Rose, Steve Lamb, John Milbank, Andy Shewbridge, Michael Burton or Michael Mann will be on hand everyday with big smiles and plenty of chat.
Get more from motorcycling with BikeSocial, the UK’s biggest bike club. If you’re already a member come and collect your booklet with 20 exclusive discount offers to save £100s at the show and enter competitions with awesome prizes (proof of membership will be required). If you’ve not yet joined ask about our free trial on the stand. You can also enter our competition to win a new Yamaha R7 in 60th anniversary colours worth £8700. Get a picture of yourself on it at full lean too #elbowdown!
Try your hand at picking motorcycle locks to win top-rated bike security. The BikeSocial team of experts will be on hand to answer your questions about bikes, suspension, better riding, products and kit and help you get more from motorcycling. And we’ll have special guests, racers and biking celebrities on the stand most days too.
>>Click here to find out what's happening on the Bennetts stand
If you’re new to motorcycling then you will easily be the best friend of virtually every manufacturer and exhibitor spread across the entire show. A2-friendly or lower capacity bikes are ten-a-penny, so choose to spend your time wisely. Whether you fancy going electric or sticking with good old-fashioned ICE, then make sure you heed as much advice from as many experts as possible, and while it may seem a little overwhelming to begin with, you can’t ever have too much information. Don’t make any rash decisions either – shiny, new motorcycles will be everywhere you look but do consider the extras, from safety gear, security and insurance – the costs start to add up.
That said, manufacturers will have their full ranges on show so you can spend the whole day trying them all for size. It’ll be easy to forget the one you sat on at 10.15am once you get to 4.15pm, so make notes or film each one. Get someone to take a photo of you on each so you can remind yourself.
Aside from the bikes themselves, you could try a sample at the MCIA TryRIDE or Test Ride Zone (see above for more detail). Then there’s the clothing and helmet manufacturers, and insurance advice from the likes of188bet金博宝注册all at one show, so make the most of your time and the fact that everyone is all in one place!
The show caters for all tastes, even if you didn’t know you were into classics or customs. The former will be centred around The National Motorcycle Museum’s tribute to the 120-years of Triumph, including some never-before-seen machines that you can even sit on.
The Custom Heroes display is brought to the show by Back Street Heroes magazine who have the six category winner on display from their Custom Bike Championships which saw 1700 entries.
While the dining options available at the show or in the adjacent plaza and atriums aren’t of Michelin star standards, there’s still plenty of options, and we’d certainly advise putting in the research to save yourself from standing in a queue for 10-minutes instead of spending that time pulling clutch levers around the show.
无论你是在费用,,蔬菜,蔬菜an, gluten free, or looking for a more luxurious bite, the NEC can provide, to an extent. The biggest issue in the show itself, across the four halls, is the limited seating unless you’re prepared to picnic on the floor. Head out into the atrium (don’t forget to have your hand stamped so you can get back in), and there’ll be more options, from Starbucks and Subway to Wetherspoon and The Cornish Bakery. In fact, there are 13 food and drink outlets outside the main exhibition halls. But remember, they’re cashless. Here’s acomplete list.
- Wear comfortable shoes, your 10,000 daily steps target will be obliterated
- Just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean it will be inside, so wear lots of layers
- If you’re leaving after 4pm then it’ll be dark outside, so the tinted visor won’t be helpful
- 拍照的offici平面图al website or on your arrival, then you won’t get lost
- The four halls are laid-out in a horseshoe shape
- Watch your step when heading onto manufacturer stands – they tend to use spotlights and lots of electricity which means the stands are raised to cover the cables
- If you’re looking for a demo ride or to sit on a specific bike, then arrive early before the crowds
- Take a backpack to make it easier to carry around the freebies and goodies without compromising the use of both hands. You could always sneak in your own drinks and snacks…
