Welcome to Bandit country. As a tribute to Suzuki's big retro bruiser the Sheffield Streetfighters show could almost have been organised by Suzuki's PR department. Which is not to detract from the superb examples of paintwork and specialist one-off engineering on show, but most of the glittering beauties on display seemed to have started life as one or another incarnation of the ubiquitous GSXR based four.

 

Harking back to the olden days it was good to spot a couple of heavily modded Katanas amid the sea of glitter, and the future had managed to creep in surreptitiously in the guise of two smart super-motos too. But to my eyes the most pleasing bikes on show were those which refused to get sidetracked into glittery paint and murals and instead soothed the eye by emphasising the smooth lines and curves of the bike itself. A matt black leatherette effect Bandit looked refreshingly understated and the best looking bike in the show for me was, dare I say it, a stock Harley V-Rod.

 

The usual round of stunt riders did their stuff up and down the access road outside, but spectating arrangements really are something of an afterthought with punters squeezed onto an overlooking balcony. Once the crowd is more than two deep there's no chance of a decent view, leaving punters with the choice of wedging themselves up against the barriers for most of the day to keep their place or missing most of the displays. At least the beer was OK and there wasn't too much of a queue at the bar.

The indoor show had the usual trade stands, no doubt packed with bargains for the busy streetfighter builder. And for those requiring new leather jackets, helmets or sunglasses this is early-season heaven. But after an hour or two we took the bike half an hour out of Sheffield up the A57 into Derbyshire, and found a delightful old boozer with stunning views, real ale and peacocks. A much nicer place to while away a Saturday afternoon. If you're seriously into turbos, nitrous, glitter paint and page three model spotting the Streetfighters show is unmissable. Otherwise you might want to be out on your bike instead of paying to look at other peoples Bandits.

Dr.Rod.