Motorcycle Live gets off to a roaring start as new bikes make UK debut

Huge crowds flocked to the opening weekend of Motorcycle Live at the NEC in Birmingham as a gaggle of new 2016 bikes arrive in the UK for the first time.

The show opened on Saturday with a surge of keen motorcyclists pouring in the NEC to make for an extremely busy opening weekend – and the tide showed no signs of slowing despite poor weather on Monday. The crowds were intent on getting up close with the rash of new bikes on show – all revealed for the first time at the recent Milan show in Italy. Some bikes were also being launched to the public for the very first time, with Yamaha’s new FJR1300 enjoying a simultaneous unveiling on each side of the Channel on Monday, as the firm also pulled the covers of the new version at the Paris Motorcycle Show. 

Of all the new metal pulling the biggest crowds, there were some clear favourites emerging, lead amongst them being the all-new Yamaha MT-10, Triumph’s new range of modern classic Bonnevilles, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin, BMW Scrambler, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Concept, KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, Ducati 959 Panigale and the firm’s all-new XDiavel cruiser.

Yamaha MT-10

Yamaha’s MT-10 was one of the biggest hits of MCN’s coverage from the Milan motorcycle show two weeks ago; the combination of the bike being a complete shock arrival, the tantalising promise of a true naked R1, and its aggressive styling proved a huge success.

Judging by the reaction to the new bike at Motorcycle Live it would seem Yamaha have another hit seller on their hands for 2016 as the YZF-R1-engined naked bike joins the surge of popularity around the firm’s MT-range. There’s no official word on a price for the MT-10 yet but it’s thought the bike will arrive extremely competitively priced, at around the £10,000 mark.

 

Richard Morton, 54, from Raunds was bowled over by the new MT-10, commenting to MCN:
“Yamaha have got their styling just right at the moment and all of the bikes manage to capture the spirit of motorcycling. I love the design. It looks so industrial and aggressive. It looks great. I would love to see an MT-10 Tracer version. That would work really well.” 

 

Stephen Corrigan, 55, from Corsham was also impressed:
“I hadn’t actually come here to look at this bike because I was here to look for something smaller and more manageable. I was here to see the Yamaha XSR700 but that wasn’t as comfortable as the MT-10. I love the grey and yellow paintscheme, too. I’ll have to ride it before I make any decision – but I love it.”

 

Gwyn Sargeant, 23, from Hereford echoed many riders’ frustrations, with so many stunning new bikes available, but not being able to afford the models they want.
“The first time I saw the Yamaha MT-10 anywhere was this morning. I must have missed it when it was first shown. I love the looks, but unfortunately I’m not in the market for a new bike at the moment because I don’t have the money – but that’s the sort of bike I like the look of.”