It was a time for optimism
By TMX Archives on 19th Nov 08
Editor JD went to the Dirt Bike Show last week and found that life wasn't all doom and gloom... AND so to The Dirt Bike Show...
Without any doubt, whether exhibitor, retailer or more pointedly a ticket-buying visitor, you had to be realistic going into The Dirt Bike Show this year. Unless you've been marooned on a desert island for the past few months, you will know perfectly well the state of the economy and how, if you believe certain media outlets, the end of the world is nigh...
So when I left home early last Thursday morning (in the rain) with a three hour drive in front of me down the M6, from Kendal to Stoneleigh Park, there was plenty to think on regarding the day ahead. I decided that a smaller public turnout was a gimme – particularly Thursday/ Friday, based on the premise that in times of financial uncertainty, less people would be willing to bunk-off work mid-week, fearful that they may not have a job to return to. Based on that, I reasoned that the weekend crowd would possibly be greater than last year because off-road fans would still want to visit the show.
On arrival, my initial thoughts were justified but by 11am the halls, both display-only and retail, were buzzing. From there on in, I found the Show atmosphere really positive. I had actually dreaded the opposite, what if everyone had their ‘doom and gloom' head on, as dictated by the said national media? Once that happens, everything is wrong from the colour of the carpet to the strength of the tea in the canteen. But as I said, it wasn't like that, there was a good positive vibe and I reckon that everyone, especially the retailers, had their own expectations and were there to make the best of it, rather than look for the worst, which is often the easiest option.
OK, my observations are based on just a single day – but I was one of the last of the visitors to leave on Thursday, actually being accompanied to the exit by a security guard as I did not have the required Showman's pass. I didn't have a problem with that, the guy was doing his job and it was nearly 6pm...
Out in the show halls there was an impressive display of machinery and a similar positive outlook. The overall spirit was, yes it's a very difficult time but there is still plenty of interest out there. No-one has suddenly lost interest in off-road sport, they are just being careful with their money – and rightly so.
Some obvious points of interest were the all-new Husaberg enduro, the last-minute arrival of the exciting Beta EVO trials model and the first public viewing of the Xispa trials bike. And then there was the 2009 Husqvarna TC250. The Husky motor, for an MXer, really is a little gem and stands a lot of close scrutiny. It surely sets a new standards for compact design, the engine being a claimed 30% less in overall volume than its nearest rival. All I know is that it looks tiny with very slim crankcases and a low overall height, obviously helped by the gargantuan bore of 79mm and a tiny short stroke of just 50.9. It's amazing how far the engineering boundaries have been pushed over just a few short years ago, thanks mainly to advances in metallurgy and designers keen to wring out the maximum advantage. I have no idea what its rev-limit is but I'm guessing a lot! Although with just a five-speed gearbox there must be good torque in there somewhere. This is definitely one to watch. It also crossed my mind that it would very likely make a good starting point for a trials engine – light, compact, what more do you want...?
Shows are also about the people and of course the DBS was packed with them, well, that is the idea, but as usual it was a Who's Who of off-road in Britain so I won't attempt to go through the individuals one at a time. Suffice to say that the paying public had the chance to see, chat to and maybe have
a photograph taken of themselves with an off-road ace in a relaxed none-race environment.
Shows work on many levels, it is not ALL about looking at bikes and buying bargain-basement gear – although those ploughing round armed with large bags and a glassy-eyed stare may well disagree. The Dirt Bike Show is a very real chance for everyone, trade and public to chat, exchange views and hopefully all get a better idea of what is currently making the sport tick – and just as importantly, what isn't.
Then of course there's the Purple Helmets (I'm thinking of applying) and their refreshing, madcap, irreverant take on life puts everything into perspective...