Having remained for a long time in the shadow of its Milanese big brother (EICMA), the Lyon Motorbike Show has serious arguments to boast and we would not be surprised if it were to impose itself, in the near future, as a major event among the specialised fairs.

In this article, we will review the elements that argue in its favour and that should convince you to plan a visit this year. And to finish, since we are never short of good tips, we will give you some hotel and restaurant recommendations to make sure you have a smooth stay.

We’ll conclude with a photo gallery to illustrate what we mean. Ready to go? Then hop on!

Lyon Motorbike Show

Let’s state the obvious: the city of Lyon

Let’s start with a truism, the city itself. Situated just a stone’s throw from Switzerland, easily accessible by road or public transport, Lyon has many charms to offer.

First of all, it is the capital of French gastronomy, and a well-known website, TripAdvisor not to name it, lists nearly 2,800 options for eating out: traditional Lyon bouchons, small neighbourhood addresses, the Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, and haute gastronomy.

But Lyon also has a lot more to offer and this trip should allow you to combine a visit to the show with a food/shopping/touring escapade.

So why not combine the pleasant with the enjoyable?

See you at the end of the article for our recommendations and good tips.

Lyon Motorbike Show

The fair in itself

But let’s now take a look at the show itself, as that’s what it’s all about.

Launched in 2018, it is a relatively young festival/show, but one that has nothing to be ashamed of compared to its main competitors, notably the EICMA in Milan, and which already shows a great deal of professionalism.

In this respect, a few elements deserve to be highlighted and strongly plead in favour of a visit.

The price

At 16€ (presale) or 19€ at the venue, with a WE pass at 30€, and free for children up to 10 years old, access to the show is meant to be popular. However, we strongly recommend that you buy your tickets in advance to avoid queuing at the ticket office.

Please note that the press days are also open to the general public. Also, you will have the possibility, and we recommend it, to go during the week, outside the big crowds of the WE.

The venue

With its 140,000m2 of available space, Eurexpo Lyon offers a very pleasant set-up to its visitors, since everything is on one level, divided into 5 halls. This gives an impression of freedom. You can visit the show in complete peace of mind, without having the impression of being oppressed like in other venues.

However, this may be a slight bias, as we usually go on Friday.

Access is relatively easy if you go by car, but a bit more complicated if you go by tram from the city centre. It takes about 30-45min with a change.

The exhibitors

You can count on the presence of most, if not all, of the manufacturers, but also of the equipment suppliers. It is true that these manufacturers present their new models mostly at EICMA, but we would not be surprised if they also reserve the possibility of doing so in Lyon in the near future.

Moreover, each year, thematic retrospectives are organised by the different clubs and federations of France: the Dakar or Le Mans bikes, the cult bikes of the films. Or all the evolutions around the same emblematic model. In short, we sometimes feel nostalgic, and in Lyon, it is the history of motorcycling that is also presented.

And it is also there that we realise how strongly the motorbike culture is embodied in this country. And that is good to see, while our passion is often decried by more and more detractors.

Customs, and sale of clothing/accessories

A space is also dedicated to custom bikes. And these sometimes come out of the brilliant imagination of their designers. And we have to admit that some of them have all the makings of a piece of art.

It should be noted that some brands also organize competition among their dealers and the best custom bikes are displayed at the salon. For instance, in 2022, it was Royal Enfield that exhibited the best customs.

Finally, many boutiques will have a stand at the salon and sell accessories and clothing intended for bikers, with even the most demanding tastes. Note that these shops often offer special promotions for the show. So, are you ready to do business?

The demo rides

To our knowledge, this is the only show that currently offers a real indoor offroad track to test your future Trail in real conditions.

Moreover, most of the manufacturers will offer you test rides on the new models of their range. Note that they are all concentrated in the same place, so it’s easy to book a ride with the different manufacturers you might be interested in.

Demonstrations and special events

This exhibition also offers numerous activities and demonstrations:

• L’intrépide: a burlesque race of pre-1940 bikes, in vintage clothes of course
• Auction of rare and collectible motorbikes
• Autograph sessions with pilots
• Indoor MX
• Wall of Death

And many more. In short, something to satisfy all types of audiences, even the youngest. Lyon Motorbike Show

Food and drinks

Because this is France, and gastronomy is part of its heritage, there will be many catering options available. And not just gas station sandwiches 😉

Electric bike exhibition

For some it is a swear word. For others it is the future. At Cruizador, we will be careful not to tell you what to think.

However, it is difficult to judge without trying, isn’t it? At the show, you will also find all the latest trends in electric mobility on two wheels. So why don’t you see for yourself?

Lyon Motorbike Show

There’s a bit more, shall we put it on anyway?

To conclude, we give you a small list of restaurant/hotel recommendations. So get to your notepads.

Accommodations

We are quite fans of the Mama Shelter brand. Modern design, excellent value for money, evening with live music, copious breakfast buffet, attentive staff. In short, a must try! More info here

Otherwise, go to your usual booking platform or Airbnb to get the best deals, depending on your budget and the place you want to stay.

Restaurants 

It’s hard to say without knowing your tastes and budget.

But here are a few places that caught our attention. Note however that you would be well advised to make a reservation to be sure of getting a table, as most of these establishments are quite demanded.

• Traditional cuisine: les enfants terribles (here) or le Bistrot de Lyon (here)
• Fish/Seafood: La Poissonnerie (here)
• For meat lovers : l’Argot (here), La Table de Max (here)
• For vegans/vegetarians : Prana (here)
• For a good pizza/pasta dish : Casa Nobile (here)
• Upcoming bistrot : Le Bistrot du Potager (here)
• Food court : Food Traboule (here), Halles de Lyon Paul-Bocuse (here)
• Brunch places: Mowgli Café (here), Slake Coffee Shop (here), Pimprenelle (here), Mama Shelter (especially on Sundays)

Bars

As far as bars are concerned, there are plenty of options. But to do a little bar hopping, go to

• In the Opéra district, towards the Place des Terreaux/Hôtel de ville.
• In the Croix Rousse district, which is very lively both day and night.
• In the rue des Marronniers

Afterwards, it’s up to you to let yourself be guided by the crowd and the atmosphere of the moment.

Shopping

Many shopping addresses in Lyon. But let us give you 2-3 recommendations:

• Uniqlo : so yes, it’s not the most original advice to start with. But Uniqlo offers clothes with unbeatable value for money, especially technical clothes (down jackets, thermal underwear, etc.) which could be very useful during your road-trips, especially at the beginning or end of the season. So get equipped without breaking your piggy bank. Two addresses: one in the city centre, the other in the Part-Dieu shopping centre.
• Royal Racer: We already told you about it in our list of gifts for bikers (here). But Royal Racer also has a shop in Lyon, rue de la Mercière. In short, a shop where you can find all the gear of the gentleman/gentlewoman rider: accessories, leather jackets, helmets, Japanese denim, etc. Note that they usually also have a stand at the show. More info (here)
• Baak Showroom & atelier : Baak has become a major player in the customisation of motorcycles, especially on Triumph bases. Some time ago, thanks to their growing popularity, they opened a temple dedicated to bikes, where you can find spare parts to customise your bike, textiles, etc. It’s a bit out of the city centre, but the place is worth a visit (if you have some time). More info here
• Cockpit LyonA must-see address for all those who are passionate about vintage clothing and fine pieces. A shop full of quality clothes, sometimes second hand. And staff who will give you the details on each piece. In short, you will find unique pieces that will turn heads when you pass by, whether you are on your bike or not. 4 pl du Gouvernement, Lyon 5ème. More info on their Instagram
• Maison Malleval: for all those who are looking for good bottles of wine or liquor (here).

Otherwise, you will find most of the international brands in the square from Place Bellecourt to the Opera, passing by Place de la République and the newly renovated Hotel Dieu.

We hope you find these recommendations useful.

Thank you for reading and see

Ride on!

Picture Galery

And to conclude, and give you some motivation to visite the fair, here are some impressions. Click to enlarge! 

Lyon Motorbike Show