The Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors is hoping that this year's Motorcycle and Quad Lifestyle Show, on at he Johannesburg Expo Centre, Rand Show Road, Nasrec from 8-11 August, will kick off a brighter season after a few years of depressed sales.
Pre-show publicity promises some delectable new models: for example, Moto Guzzi, an iconic Italian brand with a glorious history, has recently been reintroduced to South Africa by local distributor KMSA with a small range of new models that appears to be hitting the spot with South African riders.
The California 1400 Custom is a derivative of the capable California 1400 Touring that made a huge impression on the judges of the recently held Pirelli Bike of the Year competition.
MINIMALIST APPROACH
Gone are the panniers and screen of the Touring to be replaced by a more minimalist approach that highlights the lines and cruising potential of this V-twin-powered Moto Guzzi.
Both versions of the California will be on the KMSA stand at the show.
Moto Guzzi also has a 1200cc V-twin that is found in three distinct models covering a wide range of motorcycling applications.
The Griso is a naked bike, the Norge a luxury cruiser and the Stelvio is Moto Guzzi's interpretation of a adventure tourer. All three models will be available for a closer look at Nasrec.
Then there is the smaller V7, a 750cc naked bike.
APRILIA
Sports machines from this 'manufacturer on a mission' compete in the strongest segment of the local motorcycle market with big V-twin and V-four engines, electronic adaptive suspension, adjustable drive modes and traction control.
New models on display will include the naked Shiver 750, now equipped with ABS, and their top of the range naked sport bike, the Tuono V4 R APRC ABS.
Also on the Aprilia stand will be 2013 versions of the RSV4 R APRC superbike that took Max Biaggi to two World Superbike championships, the SRV 850 ABS super-scooter and the Mana 850 - a fully automatic motorcycle using many of the same ingredients as the 850 scooter.
Of particular interest to the younger rider will be Aprilia's RS4 125, a bike that emulates the technology and desirability of its bigger V4 brother and provides the ultimate introduction to sport riding.
BMW
The Blue Propeller Company will be displaying two new models at the show, the new R 1200 GS and the F 800 GS Adventure, as well as selected motorcycle accessories and some of the newest rider gear available.
The new R 1200 GS is a major leap forward for a model which has consistently been the best-selling large capacity motorcycle in adventure-obsessed South Africa. More safety technology and a significant performance increase are designed to keep the R 1200 GS in its leading position in the adventure touring segment, though there is every chance that it will be challenged by its smaller sibling, the F 800 GS Adventure – the first time anything other than the R1200 has received the rugged “Adventure” treatment, designed to make it a truly go-anywhere motorcycle.
AMERICAN CRUISER
Victory Motorcycles is manufacturer of alternative American cruisers that has shown a growth in popularity here. Having just celebrated 15 years of business, Victory has released a special 15th Anniversary version of its Cross Country Tour. The 15th Anniversary Cross Country Tour Limited Edition will be the main feature on the Victory stand at the show
With XM radio, an audio system featuring four Kicker speakers and a Garmin GPS system this Limited Edition model comes with all the fancy stuff a touring rider could dream of, including a full lockable luggage system, featuring lid rails that hark back to the very first Victory, the V92C.
LIMITED EDITION
The very first Victory motorcycle to roll off the production line in 1998 was a red and black V92C with gold pin-striping, and fifteen years later a run of just 150 of these 15th Anniversary Cross Country Limited Edition units featuring commemorative paint and anniversary badges will roll off the same assembly line.
Back then, Victory Motorcycles offered only the one model, but the American manufacturer has been busy and now offers a range of cruisers, baggers and touring models.
Visitors to the show will be able to get up close and personal with all these models, including the gutsy Judge and the glitzy Boardwalk - a contender in the recent Pirelli South African Bike of The Year competition.
FULL-DRESS SUZUKI CRUISER
Suzuki will show off the new VL1500, the latest version of the long-running V-Twin model. Now liquid-cooled, it’s a full-dress cruiser that continues the theme after a three-year absence.
Also on display will be the new four-stroke GW250 Inazuma, which was a finalist in the recent Pirelli Bike of the Year.
For the first time in several years, Suzuki will have the latest range of 2014 RMZ motocross bikes available before year-end, and is planning to introduce tham at Nasrec if they arrive in time for the show.
MEET THE STARS
Moto3 star Brad Binder and World Supersport ace Sheridan Morais will be on the Motorcycling South Africa magazine stand on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August, to chat with fans and sign posters, while Rockstar Energy girls will be in attendance, handing out free Rockstar Energy drinks and no doubt posing for photographs!
The magazine will also be giving away a Leatt Neck Brace to one competition entrant as well as MCSA goodie bags.
SHOW AND SHINE
There will be a Concours d’Elegance and Show & Shine competition over the course of the weekend, open to any bike from any era.
The Concours D’Elegance will take place on Friday 9th August and the Show & Shine on Saturday 10th August. Entry is simplicity itself; arrive before 10am on either day and tell Pierre that you are entering your bike. Judging will start at 11am and the winners will be announced around 2pm.
The different judging classes will be as follows:
Best Standard motorcycle
Best Street Modified
Best Street fighter
Best cruiser
Best Bobber
Best Café Racer
Best Custom
Best SA Made Chopper
Best Imported Chopper
Best Classic
Best Harley
Best Trike
Best Rat Bike
Best Engineered
Best Paint Job
And, finally, Best In Show Overall
SUPERMOTO RACING
Round four of the SA Supermoto series will be run at Nasrec on the last day of the show, bringing a new dimension of movement, noise, colour and excitement to the normally static nature of the show while introducing the element of competition into the mix for the first time. These guys have to be seen to be believed and this will be the perfect opportunity.
Supermoto is a unique branch of the sport, with the action taking place 70 percent on tar and 30 percent on dirt. Glen Brydges has designed a tough circuit at the showgrounds and the Monster Energy soundstage will provide commentary and live music to accompany the racing.
Practice and qualifying will start at 9am and racing will continue until about 4pm. Title contenders such has Cam Petersen (who’s also a hotshot SA Supersport racer on an MV Agusta F3) and Rudolf and Petrus Botha, will start as favourites - but keep an eye on 2011 S1 champion Michael Kok, who has decided to dust off his Supermotard and make a one-off comeback.
Tickets for the AMID Motorcycle and Quad Lifestyle Show are available at the gate or through Computicket.
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