Bring your Dream Machines to Poole Quay

Published: 06 July 2017 Updated: 06 July 2017

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Every Tuesday night from April to September picturesque Poole Quay becomes the exclusive domain of motorcycles, where at the height of summer as many as 1500 bikes roll into town to make Dream Machines one of the UK’s biggest meets.

The time and place has been established for well over 30 years, however a surge in popularity through the 90’s saw such an increase in the number of bikers turning up that the local authority was called upon to take action. Rather than try to close this gathering down, as has happened to certain traditional meets elsewhere in the country, the council embraced the idea; initially this involved limiting parking bays to motorcycles only, but in 1998 the building of a new sea wall saw a major transformation of the Quay and the decision was taken to close the area to all other traffic and allow bikes to park on the roadside.

Poole Tourism Office took over the running at the turn of the millennium and by working together with attendees, volunteers, local residents and Dorset Police have developed Dream Machines into the thriving event that it is today.

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Although it’s a non-commercial event Dream Machines is organised on a self-funding basis, so in order to cover the expense of road closures, traffic management, signage and other running costs there’s an entry fee of £1 per bike. Any surplus funds go to local good causes such as Dorset Docbike @DorsetDocBike (a project that provides for a highly trained trauma Doctor on an emergency response motorcycle), which has benefitted from donations of over £3,000 to date.

Dream Machines provides a draw to riders and enthusiasts from all over the south and the variety of bikes can be mind boggling; winners of the weekly Muc-Off sponsored Bike of the Night competition has included everything from customs, choppers and bobbers to sports bikes, classics and even trikes. It’s a unique location that makes for a great atmosphere so head on down to Poole on any Tuesday to spend the evening checking out rides and talking bikes with friends and fellow riders.

Where is it? The Quay, Poole, Dorset.

What does it cost? £1, however regular visitors can benefit from an £8 season ticket

When is it? 5-10 pm every Tuesday, April to September

Contact? www.pooletourism.com

If you want to get your meet in MCN, email: sam.williams@motorcyclenews.com

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.

By Justin Hayzelden

Products Editor, shed enthusiast and tournament winner. Justin has been a regular contributor to MCN since 2009, working as a road tester, roving reporter and feature writer. He has built up a wealth of experience in putting the latest machinery through its paces, as well as subjecting every aspect of motorcycle kit to the rigours of real-world riding. A lifelong two-wheel enthusiast with a deep passion for motorcycles, Justin first hit the streets at 16 on a Suzuki TS50X and has since owned more bikes than he cares to remember. A spell as a London courier saw him cut his biking teeth on some of the country’s busiest roads and as an instructor he has striven to give many a novice the grounding to do the same. Justin has ridden on four continents (so far), both as a solo rider and as a tour guide, tackling terrain from the perilous mountain roads of the Himalayas to rugged South African dirt tracks, sweeping North American highways and the glorious passes of the European Alps. He likes nothing more than an early start for a full day in the saddle and takes great pleasure in sniffing out those roads less travelled – to Justin, every bike is an adventure bike. When not testing products, Justin can usually be found in his shed, where he maintains, restores and rebuilds not just bikes, but anything mechanical that comes his way. He currently owns a 2010 Triumph Sprint 1050 ST, 1998 Yamaha TRX 850 and is running a 2024 Harley-Davidson Pan America CVO as a long termer.