Have you noticed how every year around October, you’re flooded with motorcycle news about the latest models? Well, you can experience all that excitement in person –  and as one of the first – at EICMA in Milan.

EICMA is the ultimate place to be for motorcycle enthusiasts, the sacred ground where the biggest motorcycle fair takes place. The Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori is held in early November at the Fiera Milano, a massive exhibition center northwest of Milan. For a week, everything that’s new in the world of motorcycles is showcased for the press, industry professionals and the public.

Visiting EICMA had been on my bucket list for years, and this year I can finally cross it off!

How to get there

Getting to the EICMA motorcycle show involves a few practical steps. But don’t let that hold you back – in hindsight, it’s surprisingly straightforward. Here’s a quick breakdown:

EICMA runs for nearly a week, from Tuesday to Sunday. The first two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) are reserved for traders, press and influencers. From Thursday to Sunday, the event opens its doors to the general public. In early September, I booked a ticket for Friday at a price of €15. From mid-September, the price rises to €20, and tickets at the door cost €25.

I flew with Ryanair on Thursday evening from Brussels-South to Milan. But just as Brussels-South is not actually in Brussels but in Charleroi, Milan’s budget airport is located in Bergamo. From Bergamo, a shuttle bus (€10 one way) takes you to Milan Central Station in about an hour. From there, you can take the metro to any part of the city. For EICMA, hop on metro line 1 and get off at Rho Fiera, the final stop.

EICMA, here I come!

EICMA officially opens its doors at 9:30 AM, but like many other eager visitors, I arrived at 8:30 AM. Unsure of the exact entrance location (there are several), I followed the kilometer-long bridge with the poetic name Ponte di Mare, which cuts through the exhibition halls. It led me to a shorter line and conveniently to an entrance located between Halls 22 and 24. Unbeknownst to me at the time, this was where Suzuki and Yamaha were set up, two brands I was particularly excited to check out.

At exactly 9:30 AM, the doors opened. Once inside, it didn’t feel too crowded, though that would change quickly.

My main goal was to check out the major brands, focusing on the latest releases. Beyond that, I planned to Continue reading →