Snow fails to keep bike fans away from NEC

The Watsonian Wizard from the latest Harry Potter film, which sees Hagrid riding the bike with Harry in the sidecar.

AS the snow continues to cause chaos across the UK, it hasn’t deterred bike fans from venturing to the Carole Nash Motorcycle Live show at The NEC, Birmingham, where visitors are enjoying fun-filled days showing off the best entertainment the biking world has to offer.

The highlight for many bike fans is the presence of 38 major motorcycle manufacturers showcasing all the new models for 2011. From the long-awaited Aprilia Tuono V4R naked to the stunning Kawasaki ZX-10R superbike and the BMW supertourers – the K1600GT and K1600GTL – all the new machines are here to see, touch and feel.

On the Black Horse Stage in the Arai Entertainment Zone. 125 MotoGP race winner Bradley Smith arrived fresh from testing in Barcelona to join James Whitham and BBC’s Jennie Gow for a GP-themed Q and A session. The future Moto2 rider also took part in the HANNspree Question of Bikes quiz alongside Niall MacKenzie, Scott Redding and Danny Webb.

The paramedics and police from Channel Five’s Emergency Bikers made a special appearance at the event to film footage for an upcoming episode. They enjoyed a performance of the jaw-dropping Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross display and took part in an off-road riding session with the Yamaha Off-Road Experience.

Film fans are in for a treat if they head to the Royal Enfield/Watsonian Squire stand. The display includes the Watsonian Wizard – the sidecar and motorcycle that appears in the latest which is in cinemas now, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The classic motorcycle is ridden by Hagrid with Harry as a passenger in the sidecar in a chase sequence in the film.

Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of Event organisers, MCI Exhibitions says: “While this year’s event features more motorcycles than ever before, it also offers more variety of entertainment that ever before. There’s so much on offer and its not just for the hardcore motorcycle fan. Anyone coming should prepare to be thoroughly entertained!”

The show runs until December 5. Tickets are £17 for adults, £10 for Seniors, £5 for children aged 11-16 and kids under 10 go free. All riding experiences are free. The Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena is £5 per adult and £2.50 for children 5-16.

Jennie Gow talks to James Whitham and Bradley Smith at the NEC.