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Devitt MCN Festival 2019: the highlights

Published: 19 May 2019 Updated: 06 March 2020
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Well that’s it for another year at the Devitt MCN Festival. We had more than 20,000 people attend during the weekend, and despite a little rain on Saturday, we’re thrilled to report that the atmosphere was fantastic and people seemed to have a wonderful time. Read on for a roundup of the best bits, live from our team of reporters on site.

In particular, the Bikes for Sale Live Pavilion was a roaring success, with several sales and huge amounts of interest. 

BMW GS310R

For example, this 2018 BMW G310R with 497 miles on the clock, went for £2995. It was sold by Balderston BMW, but there were also plenty of private bikes on sale, including the madcap turbo Ducati M900 Monster we covered earlier.

Shakey and his two-strokes

MCN caught up with Shane “Shakey” Byrne to talk about his collection of two-strokes and why he likes them, depite having never raced one! Watch the video here:

Video: on board with Chris Walker on the flat track!

Check out this film of Chris “Stalker” Walker taking a custom Indian Scout road bike out on the flat track during the Festival. Extra points if you can notice the point at which the footplate hit the floor…

The sun came out on Sunday!

The sun came out on the Indian stand today

It’s good morning from day 2 of the Devitt MCN Festival and while it was a foggy start, the sun’s already out and the racing should be fast and furious today.

We’ve got a load of plans to provide coverage of the big events, but why not come along and see for yourself? Tickets are still available on the door!

Day 1 draws to a close

Well as day one draws to a close, we have flat track action running on into the evening, the bar is in full swing and the BBQs are lit.

Earlier today, Shane Byrne gave us his pick of the MCN Bikes for Sale Live pavilion (video below) if you want to sell your bike or you fancy a change of wheels, make sure you come down tomorrow.

Watch a live video tour of day one of the MCN Festival:

Chris Walker races flat track

Chris Walker

Four-time British Superbike championship runner-up Chris ‘The Stalker’ Walker is competing in this weekend’s live flat track action at the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling.

Taking part in the ‘Inappropriate Road Bike’ class aboard Indian Scout with a large fly screen, the Kawasaki and Indian motorcycle dealer spoke to MCN after his first practice session.

“This is my third year here,” Walker said. “This year I thought I would be taking part in more Hooligan Class racing, but Indian asked me if I could ride something in this class instead, so here we are.

“Obviously it’s nice to have a chat and look around the show, but it’s nice to get on a bike. Despite the weather this morning, it’s also been a really good turnout.”

Speaking about the bike, Chris added: “It’s definitely inappropriate. You shouldn’t race anything that’s got a saddle – unless it’s got four legs!”

Bikes For Sale Live opens its doors

Ducati 748 Biposto exhaust

The doors have opened for the first day of the 2019 Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling and enthusiasts are already pouring into the MCN Bikes For Sale Live pavilion.

New for 2019, both private sellers and dealers are displaying a wide range of machines, all available for purchase over the weekend, including everything from two-year-old BMWs to 20-year-old Moto Guzzis.

Insane turbo Ducati M900 Monster

Ducati M900 Monster turbo at Devitt MCN Festival 2019

One of the more unusual bikes for sale is Mark Rennie’s 135bhp turbo Ducati Monster M900. The only one of its kind in the UK, the machine has recently been completely rebuilt and has done just 81 miles since.

“I bought the bike and finished it,” Mark told MCN. “The engine had been completely rebuilt already to cope with up to 150bhp, but I completely stripped it right back and then did the paint work, had the top yoke built and more.”

The Ducati M900 Monster's turbocharged engine

With an adjustable wastegate actuator, the bike is capable of running up to 150bhp, however is currently producing 135bhp and is ready to ride away today at a price of £9000.

“I had the bike on the internet already and have had a lot of interest, but at that price, I’ve had a lot of idiots. This is the first time it’s been seen in the flesh!”

Check out this bike’s engine sound here:

Also on show in the Bikes for Sale Live Pavilion was Nick Hill’s 1998 Ducati 748 Biposto – a UK bike that’s done just 24,750 miles from new.

Ducati 748 Biposto

Meanwhile, this ’99 KTM Duke 1 is up for sale at £1999 with just 13,125 miles under its belt.

KTM Duke 1

The excitement is already building for the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling this weekend, the action gets underway today! On this page we’ll be providing live coverage of the event as it unfolds, so keep checking back to see all the fun of the Festival!

Explore all Devitt MCN Festival attractions here

Camping at the MCN Festival

Day one is underway, the overnight campers are stirring and the smell of bacon is wafting across the site. The first action of the day is DTRA, it’s been slightly delayed by this morning’s rain, but the sky is brightening up and racing should start just after 10am.


New for 2019: MCN Bikes for Sale Live Pavilion!

We’re bringing MCN’s classified ads to life at this year’s Festival with the new MCN Bikes for Sale Live pavilion. Featuring a wide range of machines from dealerships and private sellers, the area will be packed with bikes for every budget from low-mileage minters to bargain restoration projects.

With 20,000 people expected at the show there’s no better place to buy or sell a bike. Displaying your machine in the MCN Bikes for Sale Live pavilion couldn’t be easier. Pre-register on www.mcnfestival.com and on the day bring along your licence and the V5 document for the bike you’re selling. It’s just for road-legal machines, so no race bikes please.

Shakey Byrne, Carl Fogarty, Dougie Lampkin and Chris Walker confirmed for 2019 Devitt MCN Festival

Four of the UK’s biggest biking celebs have just confirmed they’ll be coming to the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling on May 18/19. The fab four will be on site the entire weekend signing autographs, posing for selfies and being interviewed on the MCN stage. With decades of tales to tell from the world of WSB, BSB, Trials and even sidecar racing the MCN Stage is bound to be packed so make sure you get to the show early.

Carl Fogarty and Dougie Lampkin are appearing courtesy of CCM and when they’re not on stage they’ll be on the CCM stand drooling over the firm’s latest machines.

Biggest test fleet in Europe for 2019 Devitt MCN Festival

Boasting the biggest test fleet in Europe, the Devitt MCN Festival is the only place where you can ride 2019 bikes from all the major brands back-to-back! All you need to do is go is to the show, head to the Black Horse Finance manufacturer zone, find your preferred manufacturer stand and book a test ride.

Don’t forget your licence and helmet. It’s that simple! Test fleet bikes include:

Grab a bargain

From end-of-line bargains to the very latest riding kit the Festival is the ideal place to stock up on new kit and with more than 100 retail stands already booked there’s going to be plenty of choice.

From massive retailers such as Mega Motorcycle Store, Alpha motorcycles and Clinton Enterprises (the race team kit) there’ll be discounted lids, leathers, textiles and luggage with special deals that you’ll not find anywhere else.

While it might be tempting to buy riding kit online the chance to try it on and see exactly what you’re getting before you hand over the cash is invaluable, especially when it comes to safety gear such as lids and leathers. And when there’s also the chance to bag a few bargains it makes perfect sense to buy your kit at the Festival.

DirtQuake comes to the MCN Festival

DirtQuake action at the MCN Festival

DirtQuake is the maddest, wackiest and most bonkers race series in the world and it’s coming to the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling this May!

With grids made up of everything from full-on choppers to mopeds, DirtQuake is a unique and totally madcap race series that has seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years including international rounds in Italy and the USA. The action takes place around a speedway oval and the racing is dirt track in style but with a lot more laughs! It’s a fantastic antidote to ‘serious’ racing and you’ll be able to get a taste of the extra special DirtQuake atmosphere at this year’s Festival.

Dubbed the ‘DirtQuake Showdown, pre-event special’, there will be five races per day at the Festival combining all the classes you’ll see at the 2019 DirtQuake event that’s held at the Arlington Stadium in Sussex on August 9-10.

The Festival also boasts a full two day round of the (slightly more serious) DTRA race series that includes the thrilling and heavyweight Hooligan racing. The DTRA action rolls into Saturday night and as a special bonus for campers who turn up on Friday we’ve also got a full round of youth speedway racing courtesy of the Peterborough Panthers!

Go green at this year’s MCN Festival!

Kawasaki have just released details of their test bike fleet for the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling this May and we’re in for a real treat!

From the amazingly capable and nimble Z400 to the big and ballsy H2 SX SE+ the fleet has something for everyone. To get on board one of these 2019 machines all you need to do is turn up on the day with your lid and licence.

Kawasaki have produced some incredible machines over the past couple of years and their 2019 line-up boasts some of the most exciting and technologically advanced bikes on the road.

Try a Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE with MCN

The new Versys 1000 SE is dripping in tech gadgets, including electronically adjustable suspension and even a bluetooth connection, so you can adjust your suspension settings on your phone.

Kawasaki will also be bringing the all-new Z125 to the festival. There will be trained Kawasaki staff on hand to instruct new riders around a secure riding area.

The full Kawasaki test fleet:

Festival campers get first choice!

The bikes on all the test fleets are booked on the day. You simply go to each manufacturer with your licence to sign up for the bike you want to try.

Campers get first access to the show on both days so will be able to avoid the queues and bag the most popular bikes for the weekend. You’ll also get FREE entry to the evening entertainment plus FREE entry to the action taking place in the Indian Live Action Arena on Saturday night.

The Festival is held on May 18-19 at the Peterborough Arena. Weekend passes include a camping pitch and start at just £30 per person when you book in a group of four or more.

Come and meet Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne!

Meet the six-time British Superbike champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, who will be interviewed on stage and will be available for signings and selfies one both Saturday and Sunday.

As well as a packed programme of races, a huge club zone and unrivalled opportunities to test ride the latest new bikes in the Black Horse Finance Manufacturer Zone and bag yourself fantastic bargains, it boasts the biggest number of stunt shows ever.

No fewer than five world class stunt acts will thrill the crowds with everything from Steve Colley’s trials show to the fast-paced and high-flying Arenacross FMX crew. The action includes…

Arenacross FMX

Arenacross FMX

On Sunday, see pro MX riders jumping 40ft in the air across a 70ft gap while performing whips, backflips and multi-bike tricks!

Two Brothers Racing Stunt Team

Two Brothers Racing Stunt Team

An adrenaline-fuelled, all- action street bike team that specialises in drifting. Sponsored by Michelin, rider ‘Vandal’ has been the UK street bike freestyle champion three times and has a Guinness world record while ‘Toddy’ was 2016 UK champion, so you can expect the very best.

The Dave Coates stunt show

This is one of the most popular motorcycle stunt shows in the UK and it’s not hard to see why. Dave is the master of bike control and performs everything from high speed burnouts to ‘skiing’ using special skids, off the back of the bike. Dave also performs on a variety of Yamaha machines including a YZF450 quad.

Luke Fox Wall of Death

One of the oldest stunt shows in the world but still one of the best. Luke and the team ride the wall on everything from go karts to the new Indian Scout – plus there’s the thrilling ‘Hell race’ that features three bikes on the wall at the same time!

Steve Colley’s stunt trials show

Steve Colley's stunt trials show

Steve makes controlling a trials bike look effortless, leaping impossible distances from a standstill and even performing tricks without a front wheel. He’s also promising a lot more public participation this year so be prepared to get involved!

Make it a weekend

Camping at the MCN Festival

Camping tickets start from just £30 per person if you book in a group of 4+ (£35pp non-group price) Campers get first dibs on the test ride slots plus free access to the evening venues and live music. There’s so much to see and do you’ll need a whole weekend to fit it all in!

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By Gareth Evans

Head of digital - motorcycling; engineering enthusiast, historic motorsport fan. Gareth is an award-winning NCTJ-trained journalist and editor, a member of the British Society of Magazine Editors and a digital publishing nerd. He's worked in both bike and car journalism over a career spanning 15 years, and regularly contributes to Classic Cars magazine and Parkers.co.uk alongside his work in motorcycling. He's running a Kawasaki Ninja 650 this year on the MCN Fleet.