One hitch: where to look first?

THE biggest two-wheel festival of the year is at Birmingham's NEC all this week, with a mouth-watering line up of new sports bikes, funky scooters and wild, live, motorcycle action.

More than 100 machines are making their UK debuts at the International Motor Cycle and Scooter Show, which runs until Sunday.

More than 200,000 visitors are expected to attend the ten-day show, which was launched with a media and trade day last Thursday.

Among the new models being unveiled was Buell's new Lightning XB9S.

Harley-Davidson, Buell's parent company, now has a strong link with Oxfordshire after the recent opening of its new European HQ in Oxford.

The 984cc v-twin Lightning features cutting-edge technology, first used on the radical Firebolt XB9R, but with minimalist styling. This gives it aggressive looks and a raw appeal.

Buell stunt rider Craig Jones, who was crowned European Stunt Champion in August competing on his Firebolt XB9R, will be signing autographs on the stand, talking to fans and showing videos of his amazing stunts.

Harley-Davidson, besides also showcasing its radical, glittering cruiser, the V-rod, was recalling its history as its centenary looms with a display of its classic machines -- including a replica of Captain America, the famous chopper ridden by Peter Fonda in the cult movie Easy Rider.

Another new departure for Harley at this year's show is a separate stand for its vast array of stylish clothing and beautifully-designed accessories.

Swapping from mammoth to minnow, Bicester-based EP Barrus has an endless list of new models to show off. They included the RX125, RYZ125, RY50, Adventure buggy, MRX4 road-legal sport quad and lots more.

The firm's expansion of the Moto-roma and Motorhispania ranges, to include many more 125cc models, follows the marketing success of its smaller-engined bikes last year.

Another local firm at the show is Oxford Products, the accessories giant based in Kidlington. Its four-sided stand is packed with the latest HJC helmets, and up-to-the-minute touring and security kit.

The list of new-for-2003 bikes seems endless, but many show-goers searching for effortless performance, cutting-edge styling and space-race technology, will have their eyes glued firmly on the launch of an array of 600cc sports bikes.

As befitting their racing heritage, the Japanese big three -- Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki -- modelled the new CBR600R, ZX-6R and R6 looks from machines that compete in the MotoGP series.

The only exception is the arrival of Triumph's new 600cc Daytona. Its shape has echoes of the Aprilia Futura -- with sharp-angled styling that would not be out of place on a space shuttle. The factory has yet to prove its claims that the new offering will outgun rivals from the Land of the Rising Sun, as the bike has yet to turn a wheel.

Fans of hyper-sports bikes are spoilt for choice with the debut of Suzuki's all-new GSX-R1000--one of the fastest road bikes around--and Ducati's awesome 999R, the replacement for the legendary 916 which dominated the World Superbike Championship during the 1990s.

The 999R has already been aclaimed as the 2002 Motor Cycle News Machine of the Year.

Aprilia also unveils its revised RSV Mille--a carbon copy of the bike campaigned in this year's World Superbike Championship.

As many fans will be rooted to the spot viewing the new machinery, others will be enjoying the show's live attractions -- including a freestyle display of stunt jumping, free test riding facilities for mopeds and two special zones designed to focus on customising and touring.

The Custom Zone features 24 very different machines, as well as being a shop window for anyone thinking about giving their bike a new look to match their personality.

There is a wild mix of bikes and trikes to demonstrate that no two machines need ever look or perform the same.

On display are such wild creations as Rich Taylor's Blower Bike, Dodge's Hayabusa, Nev's GSX-R750, Woody's Fishtailed Chop, Vince Summer's 1216 Bandit and Richard Taylor's 2000cc-engined Harman, which features no fewer than 36 brake pads -- all needed to help it stop!

Meanwhile, the Touring and Leisure Zone is geared towards a more sedate pace with exhibitors offering luxurious trips abroad.

The Red Bull Freestyle Team, including reigning UK Freestyle champion Chris Brock, plus Fraser Swanson, Gary Taylor and Steve Cousins, are still battling to pull off the wildest airborne move in the Alpine Stars Freestyle Arena. This year's circuit features a never-seen-before double jump.

Show goers can also sharpen their riding skills at the Devitt DA/BSM Try a Scooter Arena. A range of machines from all the leading manufacturers -- including Bicester distributers EP Barrus -- are available to test on a specially built indoor circuit.

Race fans have the chance of getting up close to the machines of their heroes -- like the Moto GP machines of Valentino Rossi (Honda RC211V), Carlos Checa (M1 Yamaha) and Kenny Roberts (Suzuki GSV-R).

World Superbike fans can drool over newly-crowned champion Colin Edwards's SP2 and the Ducati of series runner-up Troy Bayliss.

Carl Fogarty, four times World Superbike Champion -- was at the show on Saturday, signing copies of his new magazine.

Tomorrow is expected to prove a hit with the younger bike fans, with the appearance at the show of chart-topping group Liberty X.

The group will present a Motorcycle Industry Association award to the youngster who has made the most significant contribution to motorcycling during the past 12 months.