Another year and another visit to MCL (formerly Motorcycle Live) – as I drove down the M6 on a chilly November morning, I was looking forward to what the motorcycle industry had to offer and yet again MCL 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham did not disappoint. It’s always a highlight of the biking calendar as there’s nothing quite like seeing what’s new and where the industry is heading.

The mainstream manufacturers – Triumph, Suzuki, BMW, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki invested heavily in their presence this year. All of these big names had large, impressive stands with some genuinely exciting models on display.

However, I’ll pick through some of my personal highlights and observations about the show below.

Are Norton back?

One brand that has gone through some changes in recent years was Norton, now backed by TVS they showcased their recently launched new models:

• The Manx – supernaked
• The Manx R -superbike
• The Atlas and Atlas GT midweight adventure bikes

There is not doubting the investment that has gone into these new models and for many riders, I think they will tick a lot of boxes, but I was a little disappointed to see the design language move so far away from the previous V4CR and V4SV. The new models are in no way bad looking bikes and will be laden with trick technology; however, having seen them in the flesh I felt that they somehow blended in rather than stand out – the Manx R could be confused with a modern R1 or Ducati superbike, whilst the Atlas models have somewhat of a 90s adventure/touring bike feeling to their styling but didn’t quite hit the mark for me personally.

Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I’m sure these bikes will do well for Norton.

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Trends: Lightweight and smaller capacity bikes take centre stage

One trend that was impossible to miss – the growing push toward lightweight 400cc-ish machines. Brands are leaning hard into that sweet spot of power, agility and accessibility. It’s great to see how much innovation is happening in this segment with bikes like the KLE500 from Kawasaki, Thunderbolt 350 from BSA, F 450 GS from BMW and the Scrambler 400 from Triumph. At the same time, there was a noticeable influx of smaller brands from India and China exhibiting too, such as Voge and Kove which added a fresh dynamic to the show – although I was surprised not to see CF Moto there after their impressive business growth over the last few years.

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What about Electric Motorbikes?

There was also a clear increase in the number of electric bikes at the show. With battery technology continuing to improve, I expect we’ll see even more electric models emerging not just from smaller manufacturers, but from the big bike companies as well. The shift is definitely picking up pace. My favourite was British-built electric motorcycle manufacturer Maveing who focus on providing sleek, quiet transportation for city travel. They use removable batteries that can be charged from any standard household outlet, and customers can order their bikes online for direct home delivery.

The bikes I’d choose if budget didn’t matter

We can all dream and there are always a few bikes that catch my eye, but there were two standout bikes on the day:

Firstly, a grey MV Agusta Superveloce – The flowing lines, the meticulous design, the overall presence of it… genuinely stopped me in my tracks. It’s one of those bikes you walk away from, only to turn around for one more look. Totally impractical, expensive and probably uncomfortable to ride – and yes, I still want one.

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Secondly, and with a somewhat higher price tag, was a bike from Langen, a small British manufacturer showcasing some of the most beautiful bikes at the show. The bike in question was the Lightspeed – a high performance neo-retro roadster with 185BHP, steel trellis frame, lashings of carbon fibre and copious amounts of high end components to drool over.

Langen’s philosophy is that “Motorcycles should provide raw excitement to ride and be a pleasure to stand and admire. Form and function can work in perfect harmony.”

A brilliant reminder of the craftsmanship and creativity still thriving in the UK.

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What else was on at the show?

Outside of the new 2026 model launches from various motorcycle manufacturers, the show delivered all the familiar highlights – live music zones, chill-out areas, and plenty of entertainment. Add in an abundance of not-so-cheap street food, and the result was a vibrant atmosphere throughout the halls.

A live moto action show ran throughout the day, featuring FMX freestyle motocross and impressive trials stunt displays. Whilst BMW has there team putting the GS models through their paces in their off-road area.

Visitors could get hands-on too, with the chance to take part in test rides on both petrol and electric bikes. Whilst, newcomers benefitted from the excellent “Learn to Ride” zone designed for first-timers and returning riders alike.

For the more confident crowd, the sharply angled knee-down bike provided the perfect photo opportunity, while the racing simulators offered a chance to indulge in some light-hearted track-hero fantasies.

The gear and accessories hall – packed with apparel, parts, and lifestyle products was buzzing during my entire visit.

On top of that, riders, industry experts, and content creators took to the stage for talks on travel, bike tech, and broader industry insights.

All in all, MCL 2025 was a fantastic day out, full of energy and excitement, and a promising glimpse into the future of motorcycling in the UK.

Now does anyone have a discount code for Langen?