Motorcycle Live, THE bike show in pictures

Part 1: Aprilia to Indian.

Well that's it. The doors have closed on the bike show or, given the acclaim Motorcycle Live has basked in year, that should be THE bike show! The show's jubilant organisers have now confirmed what most exhibitors had already guessed - that visitor numbers were up again with over 113,000 bike fans having headed to the NEC. Why? The main reason is surely that the big boys came armed with a battery of new bikes. Norton unveiled its mighty V4, Ducati showed off its sold-out £72,000 Superleggera alongside more readily available new models, Honda had the new 'Blade, Triumph launched fresh Street variants, Yamaha introduced the refreshed R6, BMW the RnineT Urban G/S...the list goes on. Of course we here at Principal did our bit, dressing the stand with beautiful, rare and downright extraordinary machines, including a Tron bike, one-off Bonneville-beating Brough Superior, pristine '97 anniversary Honda Dream, Triton hybrid, R1M and more. Needless to say our bike insurance team earned their corn over what proved to be a very busy and successful show. Now the party's over it's time to look back at the best of what this show had to offer. There is, it has to be said, quite a bit. That's why we're going to give you an A-Z of Motorcycle Live in the form of three picture galleries. Today we're raiding our newly minted photo-library to bring you part one, A-I, from Aprilia to Indian. Aprilia shiver-900-full-view

Aprilia rode into town bearing the Shiver 900, big brother to the established 750 designed, no doubt reach into the space do comfortably occupied by Ducati's Monster and Multistrada models. It looks a good effort, compact, muscular and with those extra cubics offered by the DOHC, 900cc V-twin suggesting it should offer a lively ride. This model also sees the welcome introduction of traction control with other tweaks including a 41mm Kayaba front fork, rebound damped and preload adjustable, as indeed is the rear shock.

(Click thumbnails to enlarge) BMW Sadly BMW didn't bring the HP4 race previously unveiled in Milan, but the German manufacturer's Brum line did treat us to the R nineT Urban G/S, R1200Gs Rallye and G 310 GS. The latest addition to the fast-expanding R nineT range didn't disappoint. Harking back to BMW's original 1980 adventure R80 G/S, the new machine fits into the more affordable slot of the family, OTR prices opening at £10,550. What you lose at that price against the spec of the original Roadster is a less sophistication on the suspension and brakes, a modest steel rather than flash aluminium tank and a single clock on the panel. But the core chassis and 1170cc air-cooled boxer twin engine provide an excellent core and there are plenty of optionals available, including traction control. Yes those off road looks are purely cosmetic, but hey, it is a tasty number is it not? BMW's RnineT Urban GS bike

Our eyes were also caught by the new G 310 GS, which, despite being a model of utilitarian economy, has the grace to look the business. Yes it offers a claimed 85 mpg and, says BMW, low garage bills, but it's also offers that reassuringly familiar build quality synonymous with the marque. The 313cc liquid cooled single cylinder four-stroke offers up 34hp at 9,500 rpm and 21 ft.lb of torque at 7,500, delivered through a syncromesh six-speed transmission. ABS comes as standard with those stylish five spoke wheels halted via single disc brakes to front and rear. BMW G 310 GS Motorcycle Live

We liked too the R1200 GS Rallye, part of the newly revamped GS family. It's a versatile thing, supplied with road tyres but with nobblies among a range of optionals and accessories which point to its potential off-road charms. Standard features include that Rallye seat and generous enduro pegs. BMW 1200 GS Rallye 2017

Ducati We knew before the show opened that the 1299 Superleggera was going to be a crowd-puller. This despite the fact that all 500 of the limited edition superbike had already been sold, some heavy-walleted bikers not baulking at its extraordinary £72,000 price tag. We documented its many charms in our Motorcycle Live preview so we won't eulogise again, but simply let you feast your eyes on the pix our photographer captured at the show. Ducati Superleggera Motorcycle Live

But the Italian manufacturer was not without more realistic ie. affordable options. These included two new Monsters, the entry-level 797 and, for the somewhat more seasoned rider, a 1200. The latter is available in a higher spec version, marketed as the 1200S. This benefits from some nice premium tweaks with Ohlins and Brembo roped in to provide high performance suspension and braking whilst a carbon front guard and light alloy Y-spoke wheels with dedicated graphics are standard. A three programme ride-by-wire engine control system helps harness the 1198cc Testastretta 11° L-Twin which is capable of kicking out 150hp at 9,250 revs and 93.1 lb ft of torque at 7,750. First ride reviews suggest that in style, performance and reliability this new machine marks further progression for the mighty Monster brand. Ducati NEC 2016

Back in learner-friendly territory the new Monster 797 is a decent proposition. OK this is pretty much a no-frills option but then if you're a new rider then bells and whistles are less important than an affordable, comfortable and controllable machine - something that gives confidence on the road. Having said that, you still want it to look the part and the 797 doesn't disappoint, being visually reminiscent of the original 90s Monsters. At its beating heart lies the same 803cc air-cooled engine previously utilised in the Scrambler and which offers a top whack of 75hp at 8,250 rpm and 50.8 lb ft of torque at 5,750. Suspension comes to the front courtesy of a non-adjustable 43mm Kayaba USD fork with a preload and reboundable Sachs monoshock on the back. This is a bike that screams accessibility, from its mooted price tag - said to be sub-£8k - to its rideability and pleasing aesthetics. Ducati has labelled it as a "gateway" bike, a machine to woo newbies to the Monster family. Ducati Monster 797 new for 2017

L-Twin cylinder, 2 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder, air cooled

Honda It's rare for Honda to disappoint at the bike show and the ever-confident company was true to ebullient form at the NEC, with an impressive selection of metal on display. We detailed the manifold delights of the new Fireblade in our Motorcycle Live preview, but seeing was indeed believing. We took a predictable shine to the SP which not only looks the business but has the spec to deliver it. The 999.8cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC Inline-4 offers out 178 hp at 12,250 revs and some 84 lb ft of torque, and is negotiated via a wet plate clutch and six speed gearbox. You'll also find a 43mm Ohlins telescopic inverted fork keeping this smooth at the front with TTX36 damper sat below that single unit seat. ABS is naturally standard, with a four piston Brembo monobloc harnessed to dual hydraulic discs helping out in stopping the spoked front wheel. The back is tamed by a single hydraulic disc with single piston caliper, with front and rear both equipped with sintered metal pads. cbr1000-r-fireblade-sp-full-view

Much admiration was heaped on the two concepts Honda brought to Birmingham, the CRF100L Africa Twin and CB1100TR. The former, pitched as a "go anywhere" Enduro Sports, looks the real deal when it comes to tackling tough terrain, its raw styling and low weight hinting at impressive off-road capabilities. Time will tell if it makes it to the production line but it seems plenty of show visitors are wishing it so. Africa Twin concept Motorcycle Live

With its 58 side plate the CB100TR tips its helmet to the late and great Honda Moto GP legend, Marco Simoncelli. Designed in Rome for the European market the concept also aims to share, say Honda, "the emotion and excitement of US flat track culture." Marco Simoncelli tribute

Indian Completing this, the first chapter of our A-Z of Motorcycle Live is Indian, a manufacturer which has fast gained ground since being relaunched by Polaris Industries in 2013. Joining the now well established (and acclaimed) Chief Scout range is the Springfield which employs the same 1100cc air-cooled V-twin as on the Roadmaster, but harnesses it for touring. Clearly pitched to compete with Harley's Roadking this commanding, hard-panniered bagger offers plenty of grunt at low revs and, despite it stature and hefty 350kg weight, is reputedly a pleasingly light steerer. Reviewers have also commended its comfort, noting the firm-but fair nature of the stitched saddle and welcoming sizeable footboards and effectiveness of the windscreen, a detachable affair that can be clipped on or off in seconds. Other standard features include cruise control which is no doubt regarded as essential for a bike that is effectively a cross between a cruiser and tourer. It's not a cheap ride - it lists at just under £20k - but is certainly an option for the serious road traveller. Indian Springfield bagger

Coming next.... That's it for now but keep your eyes peeled for part two of Motorcycle Live in pictures. In that instalment among bikes we'll be covering will be Kawasaki's new Z650, KTM's 1290 Super Adventure, Moto Guzzi's V7, Royal Enfield's Himalayan and Peugeot's Metroplois 400i. And if you're wondering where within K-P Norton got to, you can see our dedicated tribute to the stunning V4 simply but clicking here!

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Motorcycle Live, THE bike show in pictures

Motorcycle Live, THE bike show in pictures

Part 1: Aprilia to Indian.

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