All you need to know about Motor Bike Expo 2024

100,000 square metres of exhibition space, 700 exhibitors divided among 7 pavilions, 6 outdoor areas that will host competitions, shows, exhibitions, and that will see the public playing a leading role. It will be three days to kick off the motorcycling season. From Friday 19 to Sunday 21 January 2024, at the Verona Exhibition Centre.

This is Motor Bike Expo 2024, one of the world’s leading motorbike trade fair, which, in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of its creators (Paola Somma and Francesco Agnoletto), will present an edition particularly rich in content and capable of truly welcoming the entire two-wheel universe.

MBE is the winter point and meeting place for all two-wheel enthusiasts.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND AT MBE 2024

Mass production, with the presence of 19 motorbike manufacturers in their official appearance, lots of manufacturers and distributors of clothing and accessories for you and your bike. The complete international custom scene, with big names from all over the planet and their creations, always on the borderline between mechanics and art. Motorbike sport, in all its forms, practised in the outdoor areas and told through the voices of the protagonists (riders, teams, promoters and or-ganisers), in a busy series of award ceremonies and presentations. Motorbike tourism, a phenomenon that makes travellers on two wheels increasingly protagonists of Motor Bike Expo, in Verona in search of the next adventures in every corner of Italy and the globe. All the new trends, with special focus on mobility, environmental sustainability and above all motorcyclist safety. Meetings, stories, testimonials, a shopping area and free parking reserved for those arriving by motorbike at Veronafiere.

This (and even more) is Motor Bike Expo, the show designed for motorcyclists, who love to meet at the fair, in January, to discover the novelties of the year that has just begun, to plan their purchases, trips, participation in competitions.

The numbers are evidence of the extraordinary success of this trade fair: 160,000 visitors in 2023 but also about 200,000 followers and contacts on social networks and with the media, more than 1.5 million visits to the website, thanks to a production of information and content that never stops throughout the year.

THE MAIN COMPANIES

As far as the major industry is concerned, Aprilia, Benelli, BMW Motorrad, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Keeway, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, Ohvale, QJ Motor, Royal Enfield, SYM Sanyang, Suzuki, SWM, Talaria, TM Racing, Triumph Motorcycles, UM Motorcycles and Yamaha will be present at MBE 2024 and exhibit their products.

Worthy of note for the press and media is the preview of a new production model by German manufacturer BMW Motorrad on the morning of Friday 19 January.

Also present will be leading brands in their respective segments such as Liqui Moly (main partner of the event), Bardahl, Continental, Dainese, GiVi, Motul, Pirelli – Metzeler, SW-Motech, Wunderlich, Zard…

MANY INITIATIVES IN THE OUTDOOR AREAS

The new off-road track, titled the Yamaha Arena, will host a packed calendar of events for off-road enthusiasts. On Friday, 24 riders of the “700% Made in Italy” talent, will compete in knockout trials riding their Ténéré 700s. On Saturday 20 January, the eagerly awaited Swank Rally Winter Edition, a regular race in the “gentleman” formula for the coolest off-road enthusiasts. Start and finish at the fairground, with skill tests, and a route through the most evocative scenery in the Verona area. On Sunday the Yamaha Arena will host an unrivalled event for scootercross lovers, organised by Age of Scootercross. For all three days it will be possible to try out the new Yamaha Ebike models, in city bike, gravel and mountain bike versions.

In the area dedicated to approaching riding, there will be courses for children, held by Federmoto Instructor and former speed champion Gianluca Nannelli, and for women, with instructor the beloved former world champion Marco Lucchinelli.

For those who want to try out new models, demo rides by Harley-Davidson, Talaria electric motorbikes, and Retrokit: a manufacturer of Vespa converted to electric drive will be available to the public.

In the Drifiting Area, three days of entertainment with the Area 51 Drift Show, where many crews will compete and delight the public with incredible drifts and burnouts.

The Freestyle Area will feature Vanni Oddera with his Daboot crew, who is also involved in solidarity; in addition to him, the MBE public will be able to admire, for three appointments a day, the talent of Massimo Bianconcini, Francesco Buetto, Antonio Navas, Alberto Fiorensa, and Dominik Splitek.

Finally, in the Jeep Area: the spectacular Jeep Experience activities, open to public participation.

In the large outdoor areas of MBE the public will be able to admire breathtaking performances,. take part in driving courses and try out the new models with demo rides. In the Liqui Moly Arena Europe’s best stuntmen will perform in the highly anticipated ‘International stuntmen contest’. On the same track we will also see the drivers of Mirabilandia’s “Police School” for a two- and four-wheel show.

THE CUSTOM AT MBE 2024

In the custom sector MBE is a world leader, a true reference point in the customization sector. On the other hand, it is thanks to this launching pad that Italian tuners have been able to appear on the great international scene, make themselves known and appreciated, and impose their own style and refinement, an expression of “Made in Italy”. Once again, the long-awaited “International village” will be held: an exhibition space with the presence of American companies and some of the top representatives of US custom culture. The public will be able to meet the brands Cali Raised, Lyndall Brakes, Original Garage Moto, V-Twin Visionary, Harcati, Choppers Magazine and many others…

The Chopper Magazine Invitational, a prestigious contest from overseas reserved to vehicles belonging to this iconic style, will stop in Verona for the first time. Motor Bike Expo is the only event where the four major world distributors of special parts – Custom Chrome, Motorcycle Storehouse, Parts Europe and Zodiac International – will be present at the same time, with special products and initiatives.

Custom enthusiasts  won’t miss the Dr. Jekill & Mr.Hyde world premiere, who will show the world premiere of their new exhaust, installed on a special made for the occasion.
Appointment at 12.00 on Friday 19 on the stage in Hall 2.

The ‘Clubstyle Connection’ bike show goes international, selecting unique pieces from all over Europe… and beyond. The specialist magazine LowRide will propose its own bike show, dedicated to garages, rising tuners and private individuals. Acclaimed in 2023, an extraordinary artist Darren McKeag will return from the United States, flanked by the best Italian artists in the sector. Further curiosity will be the ‘Distretto Ruote Piccole’ (Small Wheel District), which will gather customised scooters, mopeds, Vespa and Lambretta.

The top event will be the MBE Award, which will award the title of “The King of custom 2024” to the best tuner at the show. To make the menu even richer, there will be an exhibition of American cars, classic cars, hot-rods… a catwalk of world-class guests of honour: in addition to those already mentioned, from the United States there will be customisers Sosa Metal Works, Bob Seeger (Indian Larry Motorcycles), Jeff Holt (V-Twin Visionary), Paul Yaffe, photographer Michael Lichter, Choppers Magazine editor Cary Brobeck; from Germany, Wanna Be Choppers and Fred Kodlin; from France, Back Corner Custom Bike; from Norway, Oslo Motor Show.

UNMISSABLE BENEFITS AND CONTENT FOR VESPA LOVERS

MBE 2024 will also become an unmissable event for lovers of the Vespa, a vehicle that has revolutionised the mobility of Italians, an iconic expression of genius, creativity and industrial capacity. There will in fact be special discounts for members of the Vespa Club d’Italia (90,000 members, 11,000 of which in Veneto alone) who will be able to enjoy reduced ticket prices (€16 instead of €24) and free indoor parking. An exhibition area dedicated to 1980s Vespa models and culture will be set up, with particularly valuable pieces, and it will be possible to give strength to the “Vespa Italian cultural heritage” campaign that, through a large popular petition (that can also be signed at the exhibition), calls for the Vespa of the 20th century to be protected by the State and not to be subjected to circulation restrictions as a historic vehicle.

MOTORCYCLING TOURISM AT MBE

Hall 7 will provide ample space for the motorbike tourism sector, an activity to which MBE was the first to devote great attention, recognising its potential and growth prospects. The MB Travel area is dedicated to all operators in the tourism sector who intend to offer their services to the general public of motorcyclists. Tour operators, motorbike travel agencies, accommodation facilities – such as hotels, campsites, equipped bed & breakfasts – but also motorbike clubs and resorts operating in the tourism segment, which is so vital for the Italian economy. In this field, the partnership with Wonder Italy, an organisation that operates throughout the country in close cooperation with the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, is being renewed and will propose the events of the 2024 programme. Very interesting in this respect are the free courses offered at the trade fair by the specialist magazine RoadBook, in cooperation with main sponsor Liqui Moly; the various lessons will focus on really important topics for motorcyclists: vehicle maintenance, riding position, luggage arrangement and GPS navigation. Info, redazione@roadbookmag.it www.roadbookmag.it

FEDERMOTO AND CIV: AWARD CEREMONIES AND OFFICIAL PRESENTATIONS

As always, the presence of Federmoto, of which MBE is a regular partner, will be crucial. At the stand of the Italian Motorcycling Federation (Hall 6) it will be possible to obtain all kinds of information, in particular on the opportunities and advantages offered by membership, for those who habitually use motorbikes, for those who make it their passion or for those who practise their favourite sport on motorbikes.

The participation of the FMI turns the spotlight on competitions: with the award ceremony, on Saturday 20th at 3.00 p.m., of the Italian Speed Championship (CIV), the CIV Junior and the Italian Minimoto Championship: an authentic catwalk of already established champions and future promises of the national sport. On Sunday 21st, from 11.00 a.m., honour of the podium for the protagonists of the CIV Classic and Vintage Motocross, while at 3.30 p.m. the PATA Talenti Azzurri will be presented, young talents already selected to take part in the 2024 national and international championships.

MB EDUCATION, WORKSHOPS FOR 1500 SCHOOL STUDENTS

For the tenth year MBE will open its halls to schools, training and the passion of teenagers with the ambitious MB Education project. To celebrate this anniversary, the event is signed and supported by Yamaha and will see riders Alessandro Delbianco (World SBK) and Alessandro Botturi (Dakar, AER, En-duro World Championship) take the floor with Yamaha mechanics and product managers. Other top brands involved in the initiative will be Liqui Moly and Pirelli with Metzeler’s on and off-road offerings. Around 1,500 high school students from central and northern Italy, accompanied by their teachers, are expected on the mornings of Friday 19th and Saturday 20th. A mix of information and orientation that invariably manages to capture the attention of young people. Two main themes for this edition, technological development in the motorbike industry and safety on the roads.

USEFUL INFO

Getting to Veronafiere to immerse yourself in the three-day Motor Bike Expo is extremely simple, by plane, train, motorbike, car. Both the railway station and the airport are perfectly connected with the exhibition centre. Those arriving at the exhibition by motorbike will be able to park inside free of charge… All information on how best to plan your trip to MBE 2024 can be found at www.motorbikeexpo.it

The event will be open non-stop from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., advance tickets cost €21 (+ fees) and are available on TicketOne and VivaTicket. At the cash desks, operating at the Can Grande, San Zeno and Re Teodorico entrances, the ticket costs €24.

Federmoto, HOG and Vespa Club d’Italia members are entitled to discounts and reductions (€16); children up to 5 years of age, free admission; children from 6 to 17 years of age, over 65, disabled people up to 79% disability and accompanying disabled people over 80%, groups of at least 30 people, reduced ticket (€16); disabled people over 80% disability, free admission.

The main partners of Motor Bike Expo 2024 are Liqui Moly, Virgin Radio and Jeep; media partners: RAI Public Utilities and Lulop.com.