2012 Tokyo Motorcycle Show: support acts

The Tokyo Motorcycle Show is as destination for all sorts of businesses, including the staples such as tyre, suspension, spark plug, clothing, battery, chain, exhaust, helmet, protective clothing, accessory and, err, Valentino Rossi memorabilia emporiums, as well as those specialising in products like dynos and cleaning kit.

And there’s more – even Kirin’s new zero alcohol beer has a stand all on its own (no doubt to take on arch-rival Asahi), as well as the motorcycle arm of the police and the motorcycle recycling scheme. Everyone comes out to play.

And there are not-for-profit organisations, too, such as the one that’s spreading the good word about Fukushima, as it grapples with post-earthquake rehabilitation.

But just how do you jazz up products that are rather pedestrian? With respect to the great service that spark plugs provide, they probably fall under that umbrella. But one major manufacturer, NGK, is attempting to add some sparkle to its stand with bingo (which we’ve yet to partake in) and a game where revelers have to try and land a ball into one of four plastic sleeves for a chance to win prizes. Well, a spark plug, but it’s a still a windfall nonetheless.

Over at “round, black and made of rubber” (Graeme Crosby: 1983 Castrol 6-Hour) land, Bridgestone is showing the way with a road race experience corner and live chats with sporting luminaries, and we also like the fact that Casey Stoner’s 2010 MotoGP championship-winning is also on display, adding some real grunt to its ‘racing improves the breed’ pitch.

Bridgestone is pushing hard on its all-new S20 Battlax tyre in Tokyo, which the Bikesales Network used – and was very impressed with – at the recent Australia launch for the 2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Of course, beautiful young women are thick (well, thin…) on the ground at Tokyo Big Sight, the massive waterfront complex that also hosts the Tokyo Motor Show. Some outlets took that fast femme thinking to the next level, caging a young girl to throw the spotlight on its cleaning product, and another had three twirling and gyrating on a carousel spruiking – well, I’m still trying to find out…

We haven’t brushed past any Japanese celebrities yet, but former 250 GP winner and world championship runner-up Shinya Nakano is prominent, especially with his new company 56 Design, which produces all sorts of motorcycling gear, as well as customised Arai helmets.

While Nakano’s business is still finding its one of the most impressive outlets is that of Tokyo-based company Komine, which has  a massive range of racing gear, casual wear, gloves, off-road protective equipment, rain gear, boots, shoes, and even cycling gear.