Bike Shed

Bike Shed IX - London, May 25-27

Billed again as “Europe’s best independent annual motorcycle show”, London’s Bike Shed Show (a “new wave motorcycle emporium”) is staged at the iconic 19th century Tobacco Dock, alongside the River Thames in London’s infamous but now achingly chic East End.
A spin-off from the equally chic City of London ‘Bike Shed’ moto store and urban riding club, this was the ninth show, staged at the historic and charismatic former Victorian warehouse venue for the fourth time, at the end of May.
Last year saw some 14,000 “New Core” visitors, with numbers growing to over 16,000 this year - a mighty crowd with a selection of 239 high-class custom bikes (up from 219 last year) for them to drool over.

As custom bike shows go, it is a world in which contemporary custom styling collides with artisan catering and a limited number of “curated” exhibitor opportunities. Masterminded by store and show owner Anthony ‘Dutch’ van Someren and a select investor cartel, the presentation values were as upscale as to be expected, the standard of the bikes invited was as high as ever, and with a growing number of bikes by established names and manufacturers starting to populate the displays and booths, the formula remains robust and is clearly in a safe pair of hands.
 
‘2018 numbers grew to over 16,000’


Indian Motorcycle were making a big splash again with streetable Scouts and FTR750s a-plenty; Royal Enfield’s new 650 (replete with S&S Cycle exhausts) was equally high profile, with other manufacturers in this largely Harley-free zone including Triumph, Indian, BMW, Yamaha, Ducati Scrambler and Fantic (Italian based small displacement Chinese engined off-roaders). 

The event sponsors were BMW Motorrad, Indian Motorcycle, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Yamaha Yard Built, Ducati Scrambler, and from the apparel industry, REV’IT! and Dainese ‘Settantadue’ - a sub-brand that marks the race suit manufacturer’s play for a stake in the millennial market. “Settantadue presents itself as a contemporary interpretation of iconic motorcycle clothing. The label features technical garments inspired by the extensive design legacy of Dainese and made specifically for cult followers of motorcycles,” says CEO and former Ducati executive Cristiano Silei.
 
“Europe’s best independent annual motorcycle show”

Dainese’s stated values for the brand encapsulate perfectly the market positioning sought by sponsors and organizers alike: “Settantadue is imbued with the gratification only exquisite craftsmanship can provide, made possible through advanced processing techniques and cutting-edge composition for maximum protection and a modern-day elegance.”

The formula is to mix the bikes with a weekend of “live music, live art, live pin-striping/screen-printing/ leatherwork, photography, food, coffee, bars, tattoos, barbershop and curated retail and brands,” and as such, with open-area booth style the preferred presentation, the show is a success.
Save the date: Bike Shed 2019, London, May 24,25,26.
www.thebikeshed.cc