Another great custom bike from Hawg Heaven, based in Norfolk.
This one fuses some retro WWI bi-plane design details into the lowrider format, beautiful swingarm reminds me of a bridge support, hydraulic rear suspension adjusts ride height and yes, it can be ridden on the road.
Love the way the motor simply hangs from that lovely arched [...]
NEC Show 2007; Hawg Heaven custom
NEC Show; cute girlie
This cutie was on the Carole Nash stand, very smiley indeed. A refreshing change in fact from the norm.
I heard a rumour that one of her CN stand-mates was later asked to vacate the show, due to being miserable with the public. It seems to be a growing trend amongst the showgirls these days – [...]
NEC Bike show; New Enfield Woodsman
Here’s another variation on the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 – the Woodsman.
Yes, it’s got vintage off-road style, but not that practical maybe and I reckon the bike is too pretty to get stuck in a swamp somewhere in mid Wales.
It looks beautifully made; I like the big bash plate beneath the engine, the paint is stunning, [...]
NEC Motorcycle show 2007; Generic Trigger 50
This is the new Trigger 50 MX moped from Generic, who are being imported by EP Barrus in the UK.
A close look revealed this was far better made than the average Chinese brand 50cc moped/enduro model and whilst there’s little doubt that plastering `Competition ‘across the side of it won’t make it any use off-road [...]
NEC Motorcycle Show 2007; Sexy Thing
If you’re interested, the bike she’s sitting on finished as Best Streetfighter in the Custom Xtreme competition.
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Motorcycle showgirls; two
More from the archives…it is a rough job y’know, but someone has to etc.
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Motorcycle Show girl pics; one
Just packing stuff to visit the NEC today here’s some pics of showgirls from past events to brighten your day..
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NEC Motorcycle Show `07 preview
Nearly time to visit the NEC once more for the International Motorcycle and Scooter show. All the new 2008 bikes have been seen at Paris and Milan, but you never know, there could be a surprise launch, especially from a small manufacturer, plus some amazing custom bikes in the Xtreme zone.
Ducati are back, and Benelli’s UK [...]
Harley 1200 Sportster Nightster
Got the new H-D 1200 Nightster on test this week. First impressions weren’t that good, it felt incredibly heavy, really struggled whilst moving it around on the driveway.
But it rides way better than Sportsters of old…by old, I mean the late 90s, which is the last time I rode either the 883 or the 1200 [...]
Top stunt rider; Marc Gillepsie
Just a quick pic of Marc Gillepsie, one of the top stunt riders in the UK in my eyes. Always makes it look easy, can ride the bike blindfold (!!) and a genuinely nice guy to boot.
Currently testing a Harley 1200 Sportster Nightster, will post something on that, plus pics next week. Plus the Nec press [...]
NEC Motorcycle show; Hyosung 450SM
Just got the press stuff on the new Hyosung 450 Supermoto, which is due to make its UK debut at the NEC show later this month. Looks funky and fun.
I like Hyosung for two reasons; first they are decently made bikes, far better than the average Chinese 125-250 sized bike. I tested the 650 GT [...]
UK new motorcycle sales; October 2007
The MCI have released stats for the Oct 2007 new bike registrations, which are slightly baffling.
The MCI reckon that bike sales are up 11%, set against Oct 06 figures, but the trade contacts I have spoken to recently have all suggested that selling most new motorcycles has been tough all summer and getting much harder.
One [...]
Milan Show; Honda DN-01 Touring Scooter
This hybrid touring bike/scooter is what Honda think we’ll be keen to ride in 2008. Hmmm, not so sure.
Years ago Honda had a similar attempt at inventing a niche for older riders who want a big scooter, which actually handles like a motorbike, it was called the Pacific Coast PC800, and it bombed. Big time.
The [...]
Milan bike show babe
This is Ethel Flangebuster, she works part-time as a nuclear power station de-commissioning technician in Wisconsin, but enjoys restoring classic model boats, Halal cake-decoration and extreme hopscotch in her spare time.
Actually, I just made all that up. She refused to speak to me and spat her chewing gum into my camera bag as I passed [...]
Milan Show; Moto Guzzi V7 Retro Tourer
Moto Guzzi premiered their new V7 retro style machine at Milan’s motorbike show. I was expecting a V7 Cafe Racer, something long and lean like the mid 70s V7, with some cool red and green graphics…but this thing looked more like a vintage Police bike.
Can’t say it does it for me, and if you like [...]
Milan; Megelli 125S concept
Spoke with Neil Graham from Megelli UK at the Milan show, as the company introduced its Supermoto and Naked 125 models for 2008, plus this design study for a sporty 125.
The design is British, with manufacture in Taiwan/China to keep costs down. The engine is afour stroke single from SYM in Taiwan.
My impression? Great looking [...]
Milan Show; F800 GS
Quick pic of the new F800 GS, an all new model from BMW.
Long travel suspension and a rugged build…looks capable off-road and obviously easier to handle for novices when off-roading on gravel trails etc.
No word on UK price as yet, should be around £8000 we reckon, with a range of upgrades available at the usual [...]
Milan Show; Bimota DB7
Just beautiful, really unique.
Yep, Bimota have a credible superbike now they can use the 1098 Ducati motor, rather than the old Multistrada unit, albeit tweaked a bit by Bimota technicians.
It’s a real step up for Bimota, which is a tiny factory located in Rimini, about the size of your average PC world store.
What’s the DB7 [...]
Milan Show; Guzzi Stelvio 1200
The new Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200.
Looks well made, fairly tall in the saddle, some useful Givi luggage options, a serious rival to the BMW R1200 GS, which gets a makeover for 2008 by the way.
No definite word on the Stelvio’s price as yet, probably in the £9000 region.
Milan Show; Slinky Suzuki Chick
Suzuki didn’t have any world motorcycle launches in Milan, but this B-King lovin’ lady was definitely worth seeing.
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