Hot on the heals of the Paris motorcycle show, the top bike manufacturers move on to the Birmingham NEC in one weeks time for the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in association with The Sun, and those on the look out for the latest bike launches will not be disappointed! Not only will the best of the bikes that were unveiled in Paris a week ago be in the UK for the first time, but visitors will also witness the exclusive world launches of several brand new models. Bigger than ever before, the NEC show will play host to the greatest launch of new bikes ever seen in the UK, and here is a summary of some of the most exciting:

BMW Motorrad UK will showcase the world premier of a new model that will be on sale in 2006. Full details are still firmly under wraps but the excitement is building as the NEC will be the first time anywhere in the world that motorcycle journalists and bike enthusiasts can see this new machine in the metal.

Yamaha will unveil their most exciting new line-up for many years, featuring the awesome new YZF-R6R, bristling with MOTOGP technology and YZF-R1SP- a high spec limited edition tour-de-force. Touring fans will be amazed at the FJR1300AS- the first production semi-automatic motorcycle. Also new for this year are the brutal FZ1 Fazer machines with R1 engines and funky MT-03 660 model.

A fantastic shot in the arm for the British bike manufacturing industry as leading manufacturer CCM launch its brand new FT35S model at the show. The street version of its American style flat tracker marks a radical shift in direction for the British company, although the new model does take strong influences from the firms successful off road history. The retro style American flat track racer is based on a completely new chassis that has a much reduced seat height compared to any previous CCM model, and an ultra low centre of gravity to give the bike a very nimble feel whilst still maintaining straight line stability at speed. 

Hot off the plane from Paris, Triumph will launch its three new models in the UK at the NEC. The Rocket III Classic – the follow-up to the hugely successful Rocket III shares the same engine and composed chassis as the Rocket III, so effortless riding whether two-up, fully-loaded with luggage, or solo comes guaranteed.

Adding a new twist to the Modern Classics range is the twin-cylinder Scrambler which makes its UK debut at the NEC. A fresh take on Triumph’s past, the Scrambler is a redefinition of the bikes made famous by 50’s thrill-seekers such as Steve McQueen. Authentic styling cues such as the flat seat, small headlight, knobbly tyres and upswept pipes make the Scrambler a ‘must see’.

Finally, the triple-cylinder Daytona 675 Triple - one of the most eagerly awaited bikes of 2006 - will also be on show in Birmingham and promises to be the first three-cylinder middleweight with masses of bottom-end torque, linked to a heavy mid-range punch that’s topped with a searing burst of peak power.

Leading manufacturer Kawasaki will be unveiling an incredible four new models to a UK audience for the first time at the NEC show – the ER-6f, ZZR1400, VN900 Classic and KX450F.

Following its unveiling at the Paris show, the new Honda Deauville will appear in the UK for the very first time at the NEC. For 2006, the bike has received new looks, courtesy of updated bodywork, a new headlight and a two-position adjustable screen.

Also new to the show is the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade - a legend since first launch back in 1992, the new-generation does not disappoint. With race wins in World Superbikes and the fiercely competitive British Superbike series, the Honda Fireblade is one of the most competitive race machines out on track.

Finally, Honda’s newest addition to the CBF range, the CBF1000 will arrive at the NEC set to take the ideals of performance, value and ease-of-use to a higher level. The CBF1000 embraces Honda’s ‘just-fit’ outlook on motorcycle design, ensuring that the bike is comfortable for many different people as well as being easy to ride and fun to use.

Seen for the very first time in the UK, Ducati will be launching the new Ducati Monster S2R1000, The Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition and the Sport 1000 to the UK market

For 2006 Suzuki have launched several all new models including the GSR600 which enters the Suzuki range offering an unrivalled package of performance, handling, technology, style and comfort, in an exciting new middleweight streetfighter. The race bred GSX-R series has two new additions with the GSX-R600 and GSX-R750, and with over 20 years of development behind the series, Suzuki expects the next generation of GSX-Rs to be the most advanced sports motorcycle ever! Finally, the iconic Bandit 1200/S leaps on to centre stage in 2006 with a long list of updates and changes geared at making the machine even more appealing to the masses