Carole Nash MCN London Show Highlights

So that’s it – the doors are shut and we’ve reached the end of a fantastic 2019 Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show.

It’s been an action-packed event, with some top-quality racing and riding, the very latest new motorcycles – including some world exclusives – countless biking celebrities and plenty more besides.

See all the action as it unfolded using the links below:

Highlights of the MCNshow:

• Blood Runners are unsung heroes
• Chris Walker’s new Kawasaki ZX-10RR
• MCN meets Met Police – latest on motorcycle theft
• The adventure rider raising cash for teenage cancer
• Wall of Death on modern Indian – with no hands!
• Hickman crowned MCN Racer of the Year
• Bridewell talks racing colours
• Wall of death of video
• A pint with John McGuinness and Neil Hodgson
• Michael Rutter talks about his Honda RCV with MCN
• Dougie Lampkin becomes ambassador for CCM
• Meeting Ted Simon
• Exploring the Bonhams classics
• Bonhams classics walkaround video with Andy Barrett
• Sneak peek video: what to expect at the show
• Practice begins at Michelin Thunderdrome

MCN would like to thank the tens of thousands of people who joined us throughout the show. We’re already looking forward to next year!

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Blood bikers are unsung heroes of the weekend

The bike park at the show has been watched over by Blood Runners from SERV Surrey and South London. The team of volunteers also ran a helmet and kit cloakroom with all proceeds going to the charity.

MCN caught up with the Chairman of SERV Surrey and South London, Hugh Terry, who underlined the importance of fund raising to the organisation.

“We’re funded entirely by donations so raising awareness is crucial,” he explained. “We run nine marked bikes, which have all been donated but they still cost around £300 per month to run. The money raised at the show will probably keep the fleet on the road for three or four months.”

The majority of SERV’s time is used to deliver blood, but they also transport prescription drugs, patient paperwork, small pieces of equipment and breast milk.

“We make about 5000 blood deliveries per year, compared to around 250 breast milk drops. The general public often have no idea about a lot of the work we do.”

SERV is always on the lookout for new volunteers, if you think you could help, visit www.servssl.org.uk or email recruitment@servssl.org.uk.

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Chris Walker presented with Kawasaki ZX-10RR

Chris Walker has been presented with a Kawasaki ZX-10RR on stage at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show.

The bike, which is number nine of the 500 homologation specials produced, was tracked down in France and brought into the country especially for the former Kawasaki superbike racer (who wore number 9).

Alongside the usual ZX-10RR technology like lightweight titanium con-rods and raised rev limit, Walker’s bike has a full titanium Akrapovic exhaust, which pushes the power to well over 200bhp.

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MCN talks motorcycle theft with Met Police

Among the exhibitors at this year’s show were the Met Police, who were on hand to offer words of advice on an issue close to every biker’s heart – motorcycle theft. MCN sat down with PC Clem Jones to learn more.

MCN: What’s the current state of play with motorcycle theft in London?

“It’s been well publicised in the media over the course of the last 12-15 months it was at a certain level. We as an organisation came in and implemented a wide range of tactics and it has significantly reduced overall crime quite heavily, in around the 50-55% range across the board. A lot fewer victims of crime, a lot fewer victims of stolen motorcycles. It’s having a good impact at the moment.”

MCN: Is there more you’re planning to do?

“There is. We’re ever evolving, we’re always learning, there are lessons to be taken from every aspect of every day that we’re doing this. We’re showing the resource that we’re putting into it, the wide range of tactics that we’re implementing, and the skills of the officers that have been sent out to deal with it.

“It is a crime that we know evolves into other crimes in some areas, but ultimately it’s about making the public here – the general public of London, the motorcycle world as a whole – feel that they can have their bikes, it can be safe, and they can enjoy them.”

MCN: What’s the best advice for a biker who is worried about this sort of theft?

“What we are here to promote as well today is how a little bit of education around security and looking after your own machine can help. We’re running a campaign here called Lock, Chain, Cover. It’s very simple, it’s nothing new, but it’s about putting the concepts together and looking at it as a whole.

“Locking the bikes with some good quality security products is always a bonus; it’s about making life hard for the criminal. The longer they’ve got to get through those mechanisms, and the higher risk it is to them.

“The chain, again – looping the chains around the back of the bikes through the rear wheels, trying to make that a little bit more challenging for the criminal.

“But the biggest thing in my opinion is the cover aspect. If you cover your motorcycle, which is relatively inexpensive to do, they don’t know what’s underneath it. They don’t know whether there are alarm sets or anything like that so they tend to leave that bike alone. If you advertise your bike by not covering it, you’re giving them a fighting chance.”

More from MCN on motorcycle crime:

• New Met Police taskforce for motorcycle crime
• MCN readers offer full support to Met moped tactics
• Home Secretary defends Met after concerns over new tactics

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Adventure rider raising cash for teenage cancer at the MCN show

With the Michelin Adventure Stage continuing to stun thousands of budding explorers, guest speaker Mark Kemp needs your help to raise £26,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Mark began raising money for the charity four years ago, after a friend’s son was diagnosed with the illness, and originally planned to raise £5000. Flash forward to present day and he is on the verge of crossing the £26,000 mark.

The 56-year-old automation engineer has travelled all over the world on his BMW F800GS Adventure, initially covering over 26,000 miles around Australia, before moving across New Zealand and then most of the world!

Hosting talks all weekend and taking donations from visitors, Mark turns 57 tomorrow and would like nothing more for his birthday than to cross the £26k threshold. 

“I thought I’d try and raise five grand,” Mark told MCN. “I’m almost on £26,000 and that’s all down to motorcyclists. I got about £60 yesterday and the same again today, and I’m hoping to break the £26,000 marker tomorrow.”

Mark wants to eventually reach £30,000 in order to allow the charity to pay for a specialist cancer nurse for a year, and has a number of distance rides arranged for the near future to help bolster his total. 

“Let’s face it, who doesn’t know somebody who’s got cancer?” He added. For those unable to attend the show tomorrow, you can also donate at www.justgiving.com/Mark-Kemp3 and get more information at www.facebook.com/RTW4TCT.

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First Wall of Death on modern Indian race bike – with no hands!

MCN was in pole position to see the first ever no-handed run of a modern specially adapted Indian Scout DTRA Hooligan race bike on the infamous Wall of Death. Watch the video below:

It was made possible thanks to a chance meeting on-site at the show between Indian and David Winters of Atlas Throttle Locks, who supplied the parts that enabled stunt rider ‘lightning’ Luke Fox to complete a lap of the Wall with no hands on the bars.

Speaking to MCN after the attempt, Winters explained a little about his Throttle Lock and how it works:

“We actually laser-cut all these parts, and we rivet it together. There’s six sheets that we rivet together and they all do something different internally.

“The product that we make, the throttle lock, fits on nearly every single motorcycle out there because it simply mounts on the throttle tube, and uses pressure against the throttle housing. It’s thumb activated and you have full control of you throttle at all times, even when it’s on.”

If you fancy having a go yourself, Atlas will sell you one: “We have an all-black version that is about £110 and then we have one that has a polished, stainless steel finish for those chrome accented bikes and that’s £117.”

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Peter Hickman announced as MCN Racer of the Year 

World’s fastest road racer and British Superbike front-runner Peter Hickman has been crowned MCN’s Racer of the Year. 

After a public vote that saw more than 20,000 responses from MCN readers, the two-time Isle of Man TT winner and current lap record holder received his award from MCN Editor, Andy Calton, on the Saturday of the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show.

MORE SPORT FROM MCN

• McAMS Yamaha reveal 2019 livery
• Oxford Racing Ducati show-off 2019 colours
• Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki reveal latest colours

Hickman joins a star-studded roster of former winners, including two-time 500cc Grand Prix champion Barry Sheene and four-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea.

“It’s special because it’s voted for by people in this hall and all the readers of MCN across the nation,” Hickman told MCN.

“I had no idea I had won, so that was a bit of a nice surprise! It’s really cool because it’s voted for by the fans. It wasn’t a panel of judges who might be influenced, but it’s the public and they are only influenced by how you come across on the TV and how you ride a bike.” 

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Bridewell reveals 2019 Oxford Racing Ducati colours 

British Superbike front-runner Tommy Bridewell attended the Ducati stand at 11am this morning to talk about his 2019 Oxford Racing Ducati machine.

Unveiled as the doors opened yesterday, the striking black and silver colourscheme is markedly different to the colours sported by the MotoRapido effort in the past.

Displayed on the Ducati stand, the new colours are shown on a show-bike rather than Bridewell’s actual V4R race machine, which is currently on its way back from Bologna to the UK as the Hampshire effort prepare for the 2018 season.

Speaking to three-time British Superbike champion Niall Mackenzie on stage, Bridewell said: “I’ve got a great team and a great package behind me.

“It looks amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing the design on the actual racebike.” 

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Racing gets underway again at the Michelin Thunderdrome

The first racing of the day at the Michelin Thunderdrome has taken place at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show, with a sea of excited fans enjoy close-knit action from the likes of Neil Hodgson, Richard Cooper, Wayne Gardner and more.

With most of the riders adopting a traditional leg-out stance, British GP2 rider Kyle Ryde stole the show with his unique knee-down riding style.

Ahead of the first race, Neil Hodgson took to Facebook Live to host a grid walk of all the riders. Hear what they had to say below:

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Day 2 begins…

It’s day two of the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show! The doors have just opened and the sun is shining down on what promises to be another superb day of live racing, expert talks and fresh metal.

Ahead of the show opening, we popped over to the Devitt Insurance stand, who are displaying a number of unique motorcycles, including a one-off deBolex Engineering Energica Ego.

Built in just seven weeks, the team have done away with all of the modern bodywork to create a minimalist, elegant cafe racer.

Producing 145bhp and 200nm of torque, the bike is capable of around 125mph and was produced in partnership with TW Steel watches for the release of a new film called ‘Oil in the Blood’.

Working with the likes of Yamaha, Royal Enfield, Ducati, BMW and Harley-Davidson, the feature covers everything from maverick bike builders El Solitario crossing the Sahara to ice racers on the frozen lakes of Wisconsin.

The man behind the camera, Gareth Maxwell Roberts, says ‘this is not a film about motorcycles, it’s about motorcycle people’ and having seen it, we whole heartedly agree.

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Wall of Death

Luke Fox is here with his 15ft wall of death where he is performing death-defying feats across the weekend.

Among the bikes used is a 1920s Indian Motorcycle, specially adapted for the job of riding the wall. Watch the video below to find out more.

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A pint with John McGuinness

After a long week of work there’s nothing better than a pint in the local, and 2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson decided to do exactly that. His venue was the McGuinness Arms at the #MCNshow following a busy day of racing at the Michelin Thunderdrome.

Behind the bar was proprietor and 23-time TT winner John McGuinness, and MCN was there to see it unfold.

Find out what happened here:

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Rutter talks us through his Honda RCV

One of the many amazing race bikes to see at the London ExCel this weekend is Michael Rutter’s MotoGP-inspired Honda RC213V-S, which he rode to a second-place finish at the 2018 Macau Grand Prix.

Parked on the Practical Sportsbikes stand for the entire event, the bike will be fired into life on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, at 11.45am and 10:30am respectively. Producing a monstrous 123dB of noise at tickover, the growling V4 engine is worth the ticket fee alone.

We caught up with the six-time TT winner earlier today to discuss what the bike is like to ride. “The first time I rode it at Donington it was still in running-in mode, so it was so hard to tell what it was like. What I did notice was wherever you put it and wherever you turn it was just effortless.

“When we unlocked the ECU and added the race kit so it was full power it shocked me. When you go into the Melbourne Loop with a superbike with superbike levels of weight it’s so hard to get it turned and stopped. With this, you think you’re never going to stop, but you just let the brake off and next thing you’re round the corner and coming out again!”

As well as planning to return to Macau this year, Rutter is currently in the process of getting the bike ready for other international road racing events, including the Isle of Man TT. This would make him only the second rider to race an RCV at the event, with Bruce Anstey previously piloting one for Padgets Motorcycles.

• Re-watch the Macau GP with MCN here

Also present at the event today was Rutter’s mechanic, Alec Tague, who recounted the sound of the bike within the city walls of Macau.

“It was a moment and everybody in pitlane was just stood listening. Michael had gone out and Hickman was behind him and you could literally hear every gear change around the whole of Macau,” he said.

“That’s six kilometers – unreal. Even on the slow stuff you could hear it going up and down gears. Early in the morning at around 7am it was a surreal moment and coming down the start finish straight it made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.”

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Dougie Lampkin annouces partnership with CCM

Twelve-time world trials champion and first man to wheelie the entire Isle of Man TT course, Dougie Lampkin, has today announced a partnership with CCM Motorcycles. 

Announced at 11am today at the Michelin Thunderdrome, Lampkin will join the firm’s other celebrity ambassador, four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, in representing the Bolton-based company.

MCN caught up with the trials ace at the show. Expressing his delight at the news, he said: “There’s always been a strong connection between the Clews family and the Lampkins, which started in the 1960s.

“The brand has grown massively over the last two years. It’s something different, stands out and it’s British! They asked about doing a partnership and I said it sounds brilliant,” he added.

“I’m really pleased that after all my competitions, I’m still doing things like this and this is adding to that. It’s also in Great Britain, with friends and a great product.

“I’ve been spending some time on the Scrambler and Spitfire variants and it’s really nice and easy to ride. If you’re going out to meet your mates, you can throw on a helmet, hit the button and you’re away. The ease of use is fantastic.”

Alongside riding production machines, Lampkin has also been helping with the development of CCM’s latest Spitfire Six prototype. Using a 600cc single-cylinder, four-stroke motor producing 55bhp, extras include a £300 bronze anodising kit and a £300 British Racing Green Tank.

You can get up-close and personal with this machine at the show for the rest of today and all weekend.  

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Meet Ted Simon, intrepid motorcycle explorer

Alongside all the manufacturer stands, the Michelin Thunderdrome and John McGuinness’ bar, the Michelin Anakee Adventure Stage, in the TomTom Adventure and Travel Zone will play host to none other than intrepid motorcycle traveller, Ted Simon, whose round-the-world trip on a Triumph Tiger 100 in the 1970s inspired many budding explorers to travel the world themselves.

MCN spoke to Simon, who had simple instructions for anyone considering a trip on two wheels, “put nothing on the bike, put ten pounds in your pocket and see how far you can get.”

“You can’t plan an adventure,” he continued, “it only becomes an adventure when something unexpected happens. Everyone should run out of petrol and have at least one accident – that’s when things get interesting. All of my accidents have been wonderful.”

“Adventure biking is something that came along after my time, I think it’s a way for people to imagine they’re doing the same thing that I did. It’s slightly suspect to me because an adventure is something that just happens.”

Simon thinks it would be a good thing if more people put more miles on their motorbikes and says that it can be easy to feel the need to have all the latest kit when adventuring is really a state of mind.

“You can have an adventure walking to the post office,” he continued. “I still ride, I’ve got a curious little three-wheeled thing, a Piaggio MP3, and an old BMW 650, which is a bit of a donkey, probably ridden by a donkey, too.”

Ted will be talking about his journeys and his thoughts on adventure motorcycling at the show, alongside Nick Sanders, Steph Jeavons, Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes (with their homemade sidecar), Sweet Lamb KTM Adventure Centre’s Mark Molineux will be explaining basic off-road skills and MCN’s own Michael Guy will be discussing bike selection.

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Meeting the Bonhams classics

After two long days of setup, the 2019 Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show has finally opened its doors to the public.

With thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts arriving bike bike, car, train and more, MCN spoke to visitors as they queued to enter the show.

Peter Fitton rode his Yamaha TTR250 from Twickenham this morning and said: “I just wanted to see all the new bikes. I’m meeting my brother here who’s looking to buy a new bike, and I’m just window shopping.

“I wanted to have a look at the Triumph Speed Triple. I have an older one and want to see the new model. Perhaps it’s time for an upgrade!”

Friends David Whitehead, Tim Elms and Andrew Dring got the train to the event from Stowmarket. Talking to MCN outside the show, David said: “I’d like to see the Royal Enfields. All the development work happens in this country and I’d like to see the new twins.”

Fellow visitor, Mitchell Rice, added: “I just want to see some new bikes and maybe have a look at the riding gear. I already have a Suzuki SV650 and I’ll have a look at the new SV650X model here.”     

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Our reporter Dan spent some time with Bonhams’ Andy Barrett to walk through some of the stunning classic bikes on show, and explain a little about their significance:

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Plus, join him for a sneak preview of what else to expect in our Facebook Live behind-the-scenes broadcast below:

Visitors will be able to view all of the latest machines from a wide-range of manufacturers, as well as some breathtaking past and present race bikes.

This includes the 2019 McAMS Yamaha, set to run in this year’s Bennetts British Superbike championship with Tarran Mackenzie and Jason O’Halloran.

This season’s livery was revealed earlier today and retains the striking blue, red and black design, however has been tweaked slightly for the Raceways Motorcycles-run team’s third year in the premier class.

Mackenzie will also be competing in the Michelin Thunderdrome action, alongside names including Neil Hodgson, Kyle Ryde, Tim Neave, Richard Cooper and Wayne Gardner.

Check out @tazmac95 finding the limits of grip on the @Michelin Thunderdrome! pic.twitter.com/Cbmnlhf0mD

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) February 14, 2019

Away from this, other great attractions include the wall of death, McGuinness’ bar and a wide range of classic machinery supplied by the likes of Bonhams and Extreme Trading Ltd. What’s more, over on the Practical Sportsbikes stand Michael Rutter’s rip-snorting Macau Honda RC213V-S will be started up on each day of the show.

As if that wasn’t enough, the show will host the first ever UK viewing of the MV Agusta Superveloce 800 and Brutale 1000 Serie Oro. Both revealed at the back end of last year, the Superveloce remains a concept bike, however the Serie Oro is a new model for 2019, boasting 212bhp and a cutting-edge electronics package.

The bike won “most beautiful motorcycle of the show” contest at Eicma 2018 – perhaps it can take that crown again in London?

Check out this onboard of @NeilHodgson100 warming up with @tazmac95 @Neave14 @TheWayneGardner @Jimbohillier37 and @peterhickman60 in the Thunderdrome at the #MCNshow in London. Who’s your money on for the win? pic.twitter.com/Sr7j4HEOsN

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) February 14, 2019

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Practice begins at the Michelin Thunderdrome

Practice has begun at the Michelin Thunderdrome flat track zone, with riders from the world of British and World Superbikes, as well as grand prix, getting to grips with their Honda CRF100 race bikes.

With no front brakes and limited engine braking, riders must slide their way around the corners before firing out onto the two straights.

With the first practice run of the event finished, MCN spoke to British championship rider Tim Neave, who is racing at this weekend’s event.

Warmup at the Michelin Thunderdrome has been pretty heated so the racing should be intense! #MCNshow pic.twitter.com/ZStgqe5RSr

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) February 14, 2019

“It feels a bit grippier than last year,” Neave said. “The first few laps were a bit slippery with all the dust on the track, but now we’re all here it’s a lot better.

“We’re all on the same the same 100cc bikes, so it’s a good level playing field and the best man wins, really!”

When quizzed on who was the favourite for the win, Neave added: “Taz Mackenzie is probably going best at the minute, but I’d like to think it would be between me and him, really.”

The Lincolnshire man has a background in flattrack, being competitive in the dirt before moving to circuit racing. “Flat track was my first discipline before I went road racing. I had five years doing that and was British Junior champion and Pro champion.”

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Wayne Gardner arrives

1987 500cc Grand Prix champion, Wayne Gardner, has arrived at the ExCel, London to get his first taste of the the Michelin Thunderdrome. 

The Australian flew in from his home in Monte Carlo this morning for the event and spoke to MCN ahead of his first practice session. 

“This is my first time at the show and I want to have fun and go home in one piece,” the former grand prix star said. “It’s a fun event and I want to stay out of trouble and have fun.

“I’m involved in classic events called ‘World GP Bike Legends‘ and I’m still riding quite a lot of classic bikes that we used to race and 1000cc machines. These bikes are vastly different, but I will enjoy riding them!”

Gardner will compete alongside a number of other racing stars with experience at both British and world championship level, including Yamaha BSB hopeful Tarran Mackenzie.

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MV Agusta Super Veloce 800 concept: first UK appearance!

It doesn’t get any more exotic than this… the MV Agusta Super Veloce 800 concept is making its only UK appearance at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show!

With a unique style that is half retro, half futuristic, this stunning machine is a nod to MV’s racing heritage but packed with the latest technology and high-end components. See this work of engineering art on display this weekend.

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The Rossi MotoGP bikes arrive

Two of Valentino Rossi’s former MotoGP racers have arrived at the ExCel, London, ahead of this weekend’s Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show.

The bikes in question are a 2002 Honda RC211V and an early four-stroke Yamaha YZR-M1 and will be displayed as part of the Michelin 70 years of Grand Prix display alongside a number of other former racing two and four-stroke machines, set to arrive later today. 

A stunning array of past and present metal had already made its way into the halls before this, with the first machines arriving at the site late on Wednesday.

This included three gorgeous classic Suzuki 500 Grand Prix racers and the latest BMW and Honda models. What’s more, attractions like the wall of death and John McGuinness’ bar have already been erected, ready to wow biking enthusiasts from Friday morning onwards.

View this post on Instagram

It’s setup day at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show 2019. Looks like it will be an incredible show, with @jm130tt ‘s bar ready for action, @hondaukmotorcycles CRF100s lined up for @hickyracer60, Neil Hodgson, @therealwaynegardner and more in the @michelin Thunderdrome, plus @motogp bikes like this one from @ktm_uk.

A post shared by MCN (@motorcyclenews) on Feb 13, 2019 at 8:52am PST

Today will see the final machines entering the east London venue and the stands completed ahead of the show opening on Friday. What’s more, the star-studded roster of riders competing in the Michelin Thunderdrome will also get their first taste of the course on a fleet of flattrack-inspired Honda CRF100s.

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Bonhams classic motorbikes

Prestigious auction house, Bonhams will also be previewing some bikes that will go under the hammer later in the year, Including a 1922 Chater Lea Combination, three Brough Superiors from the 20s and 30s and a 1925 Coventry-Eagle Flying-8 with an estimate of £100,000-£120,000.

This Brough Superior SS100 ‘Alpine Grand Sports’ 981cc is expected to fetch between £140,000-£180,000 at auction. Also making an appearance will be this 1922 Chater Lea 885cc Combination, which features a stylish and luxurious sidecar. The Chater Lea is expected to fetch £12,000-£16,000.

 

Keep an eye out on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram today for plenty of updates, as well as a Facebook Live preview with 2003 World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson. Remember to use the hashtag #mcnshow in your own posts, so we can see exactly how your days have been at the event, too.

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