In this report from Lorraine Johnson, Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club magazine editor, the Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show at the Bath and West Showground (21–22 February 2026) is reviewed from a VJMC perspective. With Dorset and Taunton & Bridgwater sections in attendance, alongside more than 200 stalls and a wide range of marques on display, the show once again provided an early-season gathering point for classic motorcycle enthusiasts.
With this event being held in our neck of the woods, it made perfect sense to take the opportunity to visit the Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show. In my new role as editor of Tansha – the bi-monthly magazine of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club – I had pledged to meet as many section leaders and members as possible, so I was very happy to hear that both the Dorset section and the Taunton and Bridgwater section were planning to attend. Dorset section leader, Ade Oliver, kindly made the arrangements, and we (my husband and ‘technical advisor’/photographer and I) went along.
As the event is held in February, the organisers risk the weather interfering with their well-laid plans. However, fortune favours the brave and, in the event, following weeks and weeks of incessant rain, the outlook finally improved. The temperature reached double figures, and the sun actually peeked out from the clouds in time for the gates opening and the punters arriving.
Passing through the auto jumble stalls where folks milled around in search of that elusive spare part, cuppa or ciggie in hand whilst catching up with mates not seen since last season, it was evident that the social aspect of these kinds of events is of real importance since bikers are generally a friendly bunch.
Having been held since 1980, the show now attracts a wide audience, and it was good to see a healthy crowd wandering around for a good browse on the Sunday morning when we visited. No doubt, the appearance of the inspirational Sammy Miller also helped to draw the crowds. There were plenty of stands featuring a wide range of marques. The older British brands, including Royal Enfield, New Imperial, Vincent, Sunbeam, Francis Barnett, Raleigh, Panther and Rudge, to name a few, were well represented.
The Japanese marques were more than adequately covered, not only by the VJMC but also by several regional classic clubs in attendance, with most of the Japanese brands featured alongside the European and American manufacturers. From a pale pink Harley Davidson to colourful Italian scooters, the late Simon Rees’ super-charged Triumph named ‘The Grenade’, to a sparkly Greeves Griffin Desert Scrambler – all manner of bike could be seen and admired. In our experience, this particular show appears to attract some of the most diverse and eclectic groups of exhibitors currently on the bike show circuit, and it was good to see so many had braved the muddied, pot-holed roads to bring their cherished machines out for a good airing.
The off-road and racing bike community were also well served with a range of stands featuring many beautiful and interesting machines.
It was evident that a huge amount of effort had gone into putting together some really impressive displays – not least the Wells Classic Motorcycle Club, whose stand featured not only a castle backdrop and a maypole, but also a human flowerpot! This very brave lady spent her time raising money for the Air Ambulance by dressing as a sunflower in a wooden plant pot, surrounded by a bright, cheerful array of flowers.
With over 200 stalls/stands for motorbikes, scooters, clothing, helmets, tools (old and new), bike parts (new and second-hand), vehicle cleaning items, memorabilia, and plenty of other bits and pieces, the show offers a vast range of opportunities to splash the cash or to just admire the engineering magnificence of two-wheeled machines. Multiple motorcycling organisations were in evidence with an eclectic mix from MAG to DocBik,e providing a wealth of useful information.
Various food and drink stands and stalls catered to all tastes, ensuring nobody went away hungry. All in all, the show offers an early-season opportunity to get into the mood for the motorcycling year ahead.
Find out about the VJMC, here: https://www.vjmc.com/
