EICMA is about so much more than new motorcycles

Trying to see everything at EICMA is an almost impossible task. The sheer number of helmet manufacturers alone could keep you occupied for days. I recognise many of the brands, but there are also plenty of manufacturers I’ve never even heard of before.

I wouldn’t even dare guess how many helmet exhibitors there were at this year’s show. But one thing is certain: anyone looking for a new helmet has plenty to choose from.

I paid a visit to Portuguese manufacturer NEXX, which has a very special reason to celebrate this year.

25 years of helmets from Portugal

NEXX is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is marking the occasion with, among other things, a special anniversary helmet. What makes the company particularly interesting is that all its production takes place in Portugal. In an industry where much of the manufacturing has moved to other parts of the world, NEXX has chosen to keep its production on home soil.

During my visit, I was given a closer look at the anniversary helmet, the new X.R5R and the company’s Y collection. The Y collection is NEXX’s offering in the mid-range segment, aimed at riders looking for a helmet at a different price point from the manufacturer’s more premium models.

It’s always interesting to hear directly from the manufacturer, particularly when you get to learn about the thinking behind the different product ranges and how they are designed to complement one another.

Enduristan hosted a different kind of event

Not all the new products were presented at the exhibition centre itself.

Swiss company Enduristan had instead chosen to organise its own event in a cosy venue in central Milan. Quite a contrast to EICMA’s enormous exhibition halls, constant noise and never-ending stream of visitors. Enduristan had initially gathered its importers from around the world for a meeting. Afterwards, invited members of the press had the opportunity to discover this year’s new products.

But the visit wasn’t just about products. We also had the chance to meet the people behind Enduristan, chat with them and gain an insight into the company and their approach to equipment for motorcycle travel.

It offered a completely different opportunity for conversation compared with trying to make yourself heard in a noisy exhibition hall.

One of the new products Enduristan presented was the updated Hurricane 2 backpack, available in three sizes: 12, 15 and 25 litres.

The backpacks feature a slimmer, more ergonomic design and are made from a new, durable, abrasion-resistant and waterproof three-layer material.

The red interior makes it easier to find items in your luggage, while a separate external compartment provides space for things such as wet waterproofs without getting the rest of your belongings damp.

The main compartment is completely waterproof, and thanks to attachment points on the top and sides, the backpacks can be fitted with accessories such as Enduristan’s Sidekick bags or bottle holders.

We could also find several clever and practical accessories designed to make packing easier. These included a waterproof waist bag, a first aid bag and various organisers to keep all those handy tools together in one place. There are also packing bags for clothes, smaller items and dirty laundry, featuring transparent panels so you can quickly see what’s inside without having to open them and rummage around. Practical solutions that help keep your luggage organised, especially on longer motorcycle trips.

The evening also featured a surprise guest, Lyndon Poskitt, a well-known adventure motorcyclist to many and an ambassador for Enduristan. He shared the story of how his collaboration with Enduristan began, and we had the opportunity to buy his book, which runs to no fewer than 600 pages! Naturally, I wanted my own copy, signed by Lyndon himself.

Now I just need to find the time to read all those pages.

The people behind the products

It’s easy to get caught up in all the motorcycle news at EICMA. New engines, more advanced electronics and models that get us dreaming about next season. But it’s also the opportunity to meet the people behind the products that makes a visit to the show particularly interesting.

Hearing NEXX talk about its 25 years as a helmet manufacturer or sitting down with the people behind Enduristan adds another dimension to their products. And sometimes those encounters also mean leaving Milan with something entirely different from what you had planned.

In my case, a signed book of around 600 pages.