2017 Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show

1st February 20176th March 2017 Martin Haskell 0 Comments

If like us you’re deep in the throes of winter and Jack Frost is nipping at your nadgers, you might want to cheer yourself up by making your way to the 2017 Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show, which is once again being held at the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands from February 17-19.

If you don’t fancy getting your pride and joy encrusted with crud and salt, or you need to buy something bulky that won’t fit in a rucksack or pannier, there are a variety of ways you can get there, to paraphrase Burt Bacharach’s classic song, trains and boats and planes really are passing by. Your public transport options include the Emirates cable car, flying in to the Docklands Airport or arriving by driverless train on the Docklands Light Railway.

However if you do decide to brave the elements on your bike or scooter, you can park it under cover for free and for a small fee you can safely deposit your helmet and coat there too – although the exhibition hall isn’t especially warm so don’t go too mad – and if you’re coming from south of the Thames the Woolwich Ferry is free too (and you can usually go straight to the front of the waiting queue of cars and trucks). But be warned, if you go by car the hourly parking fees are commensurate with renting an apartment in the West End.

So what will be there once you get in? Well eighteen of the world’s leading bike manufacturers will be displaying their 2017 ranges, including Triumph’s brand new 765 Street Triple and Yamaha’s new R6.

The live action ‘Slide’ show in the central arena will feature TT legend John McGuinness taking on Neil Hodgson, Troy Corser, Chris Walker and from down under, speedway stars Mark Lemon and Kevin Doolan.

For GP fans a rare collection of the legendary Barry Sheene’s race bikes will form an exclusive display, plus a trio of Ducati MotoGP Desmosedicis formerly ridden by Loris Capirossi, Carlos Checa and Casey Stoner respectively will also be on show. The Dukes will be on static display throughout the show but will be fired up on the Saturday – so you might need your ear plugs.

There will once again be a vast display of custom machines from across Europe competing for best in show and in a similar vein Harley-Davidson’s ‘Battle of the Kings III’ will showcase a variety of Sportsters customised by UK dealers that are due to be pitted against one another to represent the UK in the European heat.

Classic and rare Hondas will be on show from the David Silver Museum, and Coys will be auctioning a selection of extremely collectable and much sought after bikes and memorabilia throughout the weekend.

There are a variety of food and drink outlets available at the ExCeL Centre, as well as a ‘food hall’ section at one end of the bike show. On the other hand you might want to put a ‘meal deal’ in your rucksack and spend your money on something for your bike…

Tickets are on sale now and are available at the discounted online price of £17 until 14th February (£21 on the door). Under 15s go free and there are discounts for Seniors, students and groups of six or more. A paddock pass for the Slide Arena is available for £40 (including general show admission), giving access to the paddock, a private bar and tiered seating.