What’s On

Classic Bike of the Year

See the ten finalists at the MCN Motorcycle show at Excel in February

This year’s ten best reader restorations. From a 125cc off-road Beta to an incredible ’69 Bonneville re-born from a pile of scrap, this year’s shortlist is as diverse as it is spectacular, representing as it does thousands of man-hours of work and the kind of financial investment small European states would kill for. But which is best? We need your vote.

You have three ways in which to let us know your favourite. Under each machine you’ll see a dedicated email address and phone number – you can use either to register your vote. Alternatively you can see the bikes in the flesh at the MCN Motorcycle Show at the Excel in London, February 4-7, and vote on the day.  

While modern motorcycling will of course be well represented, as ever the Classic Bike of the Year stand will be the big draw at the show, and rest assured it will be suitably reinforced to take Peter Andrews’ outrageous twin-engined Tri2ton. There’s no substitute for getting up close and personal with the bikes, so get along to the show, have a good poke around, argue the toss over a fifth cup of tea and drop your vote into the ballot box. Behind the scenes, the papers will be counted by halls of dedicated staff, much like a general election only with a heightened air of anticipation and much less chance of a politician winning. Then, on the Sunday afternoon and to much applause, the winner of Classic Bike of the Year 2009 will be announced and presented with his cheque for the princely sum of 1000 guineas.

Click on a thumbnail image below to see the ten finalists.