2013 Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show - Report
Held from November 15 to 17, the attendance figure this year is the best for any ETF-organised show in Sydney or Melbourne since 2004. Even Friday, usually the quietest day, saw crowd numbers that exceeded expectations.
Those 28,000+ visitors got their money's worth, with a record 140 exhibitors covering virtually all the major motorcycle, quad and scooter manufacturer/importers (Husqvarna was the only notable absentee), motorcycling clubs, travel and tour operators, motorcycling publications, riding apparel, bike accessories and servicing gear, a huge in-show retail store from Motorcycle Accessories Supermarket, and plenty more.
Away from the stallholders, there was entertainment in the form of indoor trials bike displays from The Hell Team, with outdoor action from the Showtime FMX crew and stunt riding from KTM's Lukey Luke. The 'Wheelie Zone' demonstrator, Stay Upright rider training demos and Harley-Davidson's 'Jump Start' bikes were popular attractions, too.
While they've been in the country for a while now, Indian Motorcycle made their Australian show debut at Sydney, as did American ATV and buggy manufacturer, Arctic Cat. Ducati's new 899 Panigale drew attention, as did a number of new models from Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW Motorrad, Triumph, Kawasaki and others.
If classic bikes were more your style, the 'Walk of Fame' through the exhibition's Grand Promenade showed off more than a dozen classics from Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi, Honda, Triumph, and more.
Away from the new bikes, the Sydney Café Racers had more than two dozen custom machines on display, covering everything from stripped Postie Bikes, to wild bobbers, café racers, a steampunk-inspired drag weapon, and a few others that defied description!
The builders' ingenuity and individuality was impressive, with highlights including a seat trimmed in denim (complete with a pocket!), fairing made from a mixing bowl, fuel tank fabbed up from a pair of exhaust silencers, and an oil tank that looked like it was made from a cocktail shaker!
The Showtime FMX team showed a couple of very tidy Kawasaki-based custom road bikes, too.
Special guest this year was Charley Boorman, famous for his motorcycling adventures, both solo and with good mate, Ewan McGregor. Boorman, who's currently in Australia on his 'Charley Boorman Live Tour,' entertained the crowd each time he took to the QBE stage. The likeable Brit also spent time at the Compass Expeditions stand.
"What a fantastic showing for the 2013 Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show," said Paul Mathers, Event Director and Portfolio Lead (Motoring Lifestyle), Exhibition and Trade Fairs.
"The crowds began on Friday morning and we had to usher people out on Sunday evening -not even Sydney's inclement weather would keep them away.
"This year we implemented a few new exhibits and features, which proved extremely popular with visitors and exhibitors alike."
"The inaugural Walk of Fame created a great talking point for visitors and really gave our show a point of difference. We will definitely be bringing it to Melbourne in 2014.
"We would like to make a special note of thanks to our sponsors, without which the Show wouldn't have been possible, namely QBE Insurance our naming rights partner, as well as the Isuzu UTE D-Max, which was our official vehicle sponsor," Mathers concluded.
Melbourne will host the next ETF motorcycling event - the Australian Motorcycle Expo - on November 21-23 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. To keep up to date with the latest news, go towww.australianmotorcycleexpo.com.au.
