First Bike Show

Hoping to go to the Ally Pally bike show as I couldn't get to the NEC one,
is the ally pally show a poor relation to the NEC show of will it be a
worthwhile trip?

Also is there much oppotunity to buy bits and bobs cheap? and being my first
bike show, any tips like is it mega expensive for food etc?

D

 

It didn't used to be, but that would be a pretty good description of it
these days, especially as they've apparently dramatically cut down the
number of small stands this year

Sometimes, but a lot of it is tat

Yes it is - although possibly not as bad as the NEC which is pure theft

A bike show (except the NEC) is almost exclusively nothing more than
local shops, they're just under one roof, with a very small number of
unique stands that sell stuff you probably can't get anywhere else ...
at least not on a face-to-face basis, anyway

--
Veggie Dave
UKRMHRC#2 BOTAFOF#08
IQ 18 FILMS http://www.iq18films.com
V&S Extreme Photography http://www.bikehouse.demon.co.uk
Extreme Racing http://www.veggie-dave.co.uk
Put Out The Lights On The Age Of Reason

 

Yes, cos you'll meet loads of us.

The Ally Pally show is all about buying stuff off the stands at a discount.
You'll love it.

 

I've only been once to each. IMHO Ally Pally was better for cheap
bits'n'bobs and NEC for a first squint at new bikes.

Both were too crowded to be enjoyable and I've no burning desire to
repeat the experience, although I'm fairly lucky in having all the
main bike manufactures represented locally if I want to view/testride
new bikes.

As with all such venues you couldn't even eat dirt cheap.

 

Veggie Meldrew wrote

F'rinstance I got to try out the Autocom bike to bike intercom
system[1] and have a reasonable play under admittedly static
surroundings. I couldn't have done that anywhere else really.


[1] It can only be worse on the road.

 

Go by train; there's usually a few beers in the offing.

 

Dunno. Is it anything like the Hungarian bike shows?
http://machomedia.hu/old/030309/motorkiall_19.jpg

 

Last year I bought one of those Lazer Revolution lids for £150
Didn't like it, flimbsy visor and loads of breeze in my eyes.
Sold it on Ebay for £160 plus P&P.

Bought an Arai Quantum F from the BMF show in Peterborough for £160

so I was happy all round.
I've found that if you know what you're looking at then you can bag a
bargain and then
sell them on ebay for a profit.
I wish I'd bought a load of those MX bike stands at the dirt bike show for
£20.
And the MX goggles for £8 both of which are going for a £10 more than I
would've paid on ebay.

 

Anyone used the Autocom thing to listen to a CD or similar whilst
riding? If so, is it any good?

 

Yes and yes.

--
Alex
BMW R1150GS
DIAABTCOD#3 MSWF#4 UKRMFBC#6 Ibw#35 BOB#8
http://www.team-ukrm.co.uk
Windy's "little soldier"

 

Ta.