Jump on board and join in the action at Motorcycle Live

Thrills and spills: BMW will be holding demos at the event

It’s that time of year again, when the fair-weather bikers put their machines into hibernation, hardier ones dig out their winter gear, or treat themselves to something new, and ride on — and Motorcycle Live, UK’s biggest bike shows, roars into action.

Unfortunately, it’s being held in Birmingham, not London, but it’s nothing a good two-hour ride up the M40 — or a one hour, 30-minute train ride — can’t fix.

Running from November 19-27, this year’s all-inclusive ticket for the NEC show means that every live feature and event at the show will be included, so there will be nine different opportunities to ride a bike, a superfluity of new machinery, non-stop interactive entertainment, classic, custom and special anniversary displays, celebrity appearances and the FMX Live Arena.

The main draw at the show is the breadth of new model launches, with the world’s leading manufacturers unveiling glittering propositions for 2017, and show-goers can try them out for size.

Other attractions at the event will include striking creations in the Custom Xtreme Zone supported by Back Street Heroes and the iconic machines on display at the Classic Feature supported by The National Motorcycle Museum.

For many, the biggest thrill on offer will be climbing on board and riding a bike in one of those nine free live features.

Various manufacturers will be making a range of popular models available to try in the Test Ride Zone, supported by Shoei, Sidi and Spada, while the brand-new Experience Adventure feature, supported by Ducati, KTM, Honda and Triumph, will allow visitors to ride a range of adventure machines in the terrain they were made for.

The ACU Try Trials feature gives show visitors the opportunity to learn the basics of the super-skilled trials discipline in 15-minute sessions, and the industry’s Get On initiative will be running the Two Wheel Taster for those new to biking.

The wacky world of motorcycles

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Yamaha will bring the Dark Side MT Tour to the NEC, while BMW Motorrad will run its GS Experience demo and Harley-Davidson will return with its Jumpstart feature.

For younger budding bikers, Kiddimoto returns, with its balance bikes on the inflatable Children’s Fun Track. For something with a bit more kick, Kuberg will supply a range of its electric off-road machines for the Kurberg MX Experience, and older teenagers can get involved in the Two Wheel Taster.

Non-stop entertainment comes from Steve Parrish, James Whitham and other guests on the Black Horse Stage and there will be games and quizzes with prizes, as well as daily Q&As with racing stars from MotoGP, World and British Superbikes, the Isle of Man TT and Speedway — most of whom will also be doing autograph signings on their respective sponsor stands. You might even spot a royal biker among the crowds. I bumped into Prince William on the Ducati stand two years ago — very knowledgeable he was, too.

Kawasaki’s stunt rider Lee Bowers will be returning to the event, while another favourite, adventure rider Nick Sanders, will launch his latest film: The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man.

FMX Live will deliver heart-in-your-mouth action in the 2,000-seat FMX Live Arena — and, no doubt, an annoyingly loud soundtrack.

More at motorcyclelive.co.uk or 0844 581 2345. Advance ticket sales end at midnight, November 18.

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