Midrand - The most important feature of the now-defunct Amid Motorcycle Expo at Kyalami was that it was one of the very few bike shows in the world where punters could actually ride the new bikes.
And when the show lost that all-important element, it simply faded away.
But now the good old days are back, with the announcement of the first annual South Africa Bike Festival, to be held at the newly rebuilt Kyalami circuit from Friday 27 May to Sunday 29 2016.
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The organisers are promising that this will be 'more than just a bike show', with live action and entertainment for children of all ages, bikes and quads to ride, products and information both for the public and the trade about adventures, leisure activities and all things engine-driven.
There will be live music, celebrities, motorcycle parades and mass rides, custom bike competitions, stunt and enduro-cross riding displays, as well as lots of food and drink.
The emphasis will be on safe and responsible motorcycling, says convenor Nicole Muller, aimed at just as much at the 'bike curious' public - especially younger ones - as at mainstream bikers, helping to grow the potential target market year by year.
CONFIRMED ENTRIES
With heavyweight backing from British company Clarion Events and the Discovery Channel, the 2016 SA Bike Festival already has confirmed entries from BMW, Ducati, Can-Am, Honda, Husqvarna, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, Linhai, Polaris, Suzuki, SYM, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha.
The show will also mark the official reopening of the country's premier circuit after its several-hundred-million-rand rebuild by new owner Toby Venter, giving motorsport fans their first real chance to see for themselves what's been done - and even find their way round the new corners, even if at a somewhat less hectic pace than their heroes.
Ticket prices will start at R190; for more information visit the SA Bike Festival website , where there will also be early-bird ticket specials on offer.