Diff'rent Strokers

Events

Have you noticed how you always see the same old bikes displayed at classic bike shows ?  Z1's, RD's, GT's and CBX's everywhere you look ?  Nothing wrong with them of course, nice bikes, but it'd be nice to see something a bit different wouldn't it ?  That's what we thought.  When was the last time you saw an MVX250F ?  Probably never, you might not even know what one is.

We'd been going to the shows for a few years but you rarely see many - if any - of 'our kind of bikes' on display.  We happened to own a few unusual examples between us and so decided to show some of them off to a wider audience.  We took a small stand at the Classic Mechanics Show at Stafford (Oct 2006) and put five bikes on it.

We weren't pretending to be experts about these bikes - you probably know more than we do.  We weren't claiming to have the best examples either - these certainly aren't mint restorations or even 100% original, they're bikes that get ridden for fun.  We just wanted to let people see something that they might not be able to see elsewhere.

Despite a few misgivings (Were the bikes mint enough ?  Were they too modern for a 'classic' show ?) the response was very good.  Check the  Stafford 2006  page for more details.

Chell on the award-winning KR250 at Stafford, Oct 2006 Diff'rent Strokers at Stafford, Oct 2006 Tim and Darin at Stafford, Oct 2006 'Highly Commended' at Stafford, Oct 2006 Diff'rent Strokers at Stafford, Oct 2006

So what next then ?  Well, we'd already been invited to the VJMC 25th Anniversary Show and accepted, but in the meantime we wanted to try and get a few other people involved.  Despite being asked by a few showgoers, we had no intention of starting a proper club, but the demand seemed to be there for some sort of online community.  There are lots out there already of course and we regularly use them ourselves, but you asked for it and so we launched the  Forum.

Diff'rent Strokers at Uttoxeter, Jul 2007 NSR50 and YSR80 Gag bikes at Uttoxeter, Jul 2007 3rd Place, Best Club Stand, Uttoxeter, Jul 2007 Diff'rent Strokers at Uttoxeter, Jul 2007 Diff'rent Strokers at Uttoxeter, Jul 2007

For the VJMC Anniversary Show (Jul 2007), we wanted to raise our game.  We told them we'd be displaying twice as many bikes as the first time so we'd definitely need help to pull it off.  And that's exactly what we got.  A post on the forum resulted in several offers of bikes and they duly arrived as planned, making a great display.  That's not just our opinion either, check out the  Uttoxeter 2007  page for details and pictures.

A few months later, our 1st Birthday saw us appearing at  Stafford 2007  with a bigger and better stand and even more new people joining in.  We seem to be doing something right, filling a small niche without trying to overlap with any of the other specialist clubs.

Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2007 Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2007 Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2007 Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2007 Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2007

2008 saw us appearing at the Bristol Classic Show for the first time.  Maybe even more 'classic' than we're used to, but we seemed to attract plenty of attention - see the  Bristol 2008  page for details and pictures.

KR and our lighting rig, Bristol, Feb 2008 SDR200, Bristol, Feb 2008 YSR50's, Bristol, Feb 2008 Diff'rent Strokers, Bristol, Feb 2008 Pete's RG250 Gamma, Bristol, Feb 2008

A few months later, the second running of the VJMC Uttoxeter Show (Jul 2008).  The most bikes we've ever displayed, and none that we'd ever shown before either, including one priceless piece of racing history.  A couple of trophies came our way too so we must be doing something right.  See the  Uttoxeter 2008  page for full details.

5 Gags Barry Sheene's Mk.1 RG500 Mike and his prize-winning MC28-SP RG400, MC21, 3XV

Our 2nd Birthday saw us appearing at  Stafford 2008  with a cool all-Suzuki display and a personal appearance by a certain 1993 500cc World Champion !  Our best show yet, with plenty of new people joining in.

Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2008 Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2008 Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2008 Diff'rent Strokers, Stafford, Oct 2008

Following that, we visited the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in November to check out their bike exhibition, with a view to taking part next year.  Once Christmas and New Year were over, it was time for  Bristol 2009  with another attempt to persuade the people of the South West that they really want an 80's Japanese icon in their garage.

Bristol, Feb 2009 Bristol, Feb 2009 Bristol, Feb 2009 Bristol, Feb 2009

The  Uttoxeter 2009  show saw us do something a bit, well, diff'rent.  Not a single two-stroke on the stand, but hopefully you'll agree we did a good job.  At the end of the day, we're punters visiting a show too, we know what we'd like to see so if it's not being done by someone else we'll try to make it happen.

Uttoxeter 2009 Uttoxeter 2009

A few of us also made an appearance at the last  2-Stroke Sunday  of the year.

Shoulder Of Mutton 2-Stroke Sunday 2009 Shoulder Of Mutton 2-Stroke Sunday 2009 Shoulder Of Mutton 2-Stroke Sunday 2009

And then it was our 3rd birthday at  Stafford 2009  with an all-Honda line-up in honour of special-guest Freddie Spencer.

Stafford, Oct 2009 Stafford, Oct 2009 Stafford, Oct 2009

A month later and we debuted at a huge event, the  NEC Classic Motor Show 2009.

NEC, Nov 2009 NEC, Nov 2009 NEC, Nov 2009

Into 2010 and we decided not to do the Bristol Show this time.  We made an appearance at the  NSR Weekend  though, well some of us did...

NSR-World Weekend 2010 NSR-World Weekend 2010

More successful was our expedition to the  Dutch Classic Superbike Meeting  a month later.

Dutch Classic Superbike Meeting 2010 Dutch Classic Superbike Meeting 2010 Dutch Classic Superbike Meeting 2010

The  Uttoxeter 2010  show saw a return to our 2-stroke roots, but with a slight twist.  Not a particularly successful one as it turned out, but an enjoyable weekend nevertheless.

Uttoxeter 2010 Uttoxeter 2010 Uttoxeter 2010

Back on form for  Stafford 2010  with a display of 250's and more new people getting involved.

Stafford, Oct 2010 Stafford, Oct 2010 Stafford, Oct 2010

And now for  Something Completely Diff'rent  - not a show or event as such, but it did involve bikes and all four founder members, and we did wear our club T-shirts...

Florida 2010 Florida 2010

We couldn't manage the NEC Classic Motor Show in 2010 though we do want to do it again.  We didn't do Bristol either, and sadly the Dutch Superbike meeting didn't happen.  The next event was  Uttoxeter 2011  where we pulled off another great Suzuki line-up and won another award.

Uttoxeter 2011 Uttoxeter 2011 Uttoxeter 2011

Later the same month we joined in on the trackday at  Cadwell Park  hosted by  Classic Bike Trackdays.

Cadwell 2011 Cadwell 2011 Cadwell 2011

And a month later, a few of the forum regulars joined in at the  Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day.

Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2011 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2011 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2011

Before we knew it, it was time for  Stafford 2011  again, which means we've been doing this for 5 years !

Stafford, Oct 2011 Stafford, Oct 2011 Stafford, Oct 2011

Into 2012 and time for the second trackday at  Cadwell Park  hosted by  Classic Bike Trackdays.

Cadwell 2012 Cadwell 2012 Cadwell 2012

What's  The Chip Shop Run  ?  We've just made it up, and it's brilliant...

Chip Shop Run #1 Chip Shop Run #1 Chip Shop Run #1 Chip Shop Run #1

There was no Uttoxeter show this year by the way.  Our roving reporter missed the second  Classic Bike Trackdays  event of the year at Mallory but we were at the third one at  Donington.

Donington 2012 Donington 2012 Donington 2012 Donington 2012

An even bigger turnout this year for  Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day.

Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2012 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2012 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2012

And a return to where it all started for  Stafford 2012  with another variation on a theme.  And - at long last - recognition in the form of a best club stand trophy !

Stafford, Oct 2012 Stafford, Oct 2012 Stafford, Oct 2012 Stafford, Oct 2012 Stafford, Oct 2012

2013 and something new.  A great turnout of new and old people for the inaugural  SouthWest SmokeFest  and an eclectic line-up of cool strokers fired up and out for a run together.

SouthWest SmokeFest, Apr 2013 SouthWest SmokeFest, Apr 2013 SouthWest SmokeFest, Apr 2013 SouthWest SmokeFest, Apr 2013

Another trackday at  Cadwell Park  hosted by  Classic Bike Trackdays  and it was a big one !

Cadwell 2013 Cadwell 2013 Cadwell 2013

7 years old at  Stafford 2013  with yet more cool strokers.

Stafford, Oct 2013 Stafford, Oct 2013 Stafford, Oct 2013 Stafford, Oct 2013 Stafford, Oct 2013

Homologation specials on track at  Donington 2014  for World Superbikes !

Donington 2014 Donington 2014 Donington 2014

A new one for us, a great visit to  CMC 2-Stroke Day.

CMC 2-Stroke Day 2014 CMC 2-Stroke Day 2014 CMC 2-Stroke Day 2014

Another trackday/party weekend at  Cadwell Park  hosted by  Classic Bike Trackdays.

Cadwell 2014 Cadwell 2014 Cadwell 2014

Our ninth show at  Stafford  with another 2-stroke line-up.

Stafford, Oct 2014 Stafford, Oct 2014 Stafford, Oct 2014

On track at the Welsh Classic Motorcycle Festival at  Anglesey  hosted by  Classic Bike Trackdays.

anglesey 2015 anglesey 2015 anglesey 2015

VIP treatment at the  Barry Sheene Festival  courtesy of  Suzuki GB and  Endurance Legends.

scarborough 2015 scarborough 2015 scarborough 2015

The DS Northern Correspondent also made it to  Barton Bike Night  where he found some interesting stuff amongst the 20000 turnout.

barton 2015 barton 2015 barton 2015 barton 2015

Soon it was time again for the big trackday weekend at  Cadwell Park  hosted by  Classic Bike Trackdays.

Cadwell 2015 Cadwell 2015 Cadwell 2015 Cadwell 2015

Our first visit to the  Classic Motorcycle Festival  at Donington, but definitely not the last.

Donington 2015 Donington 2015 Donington 2015

Another cracking   Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day.

Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2015 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2015 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2015

Stafford Show  - that's ten of these we've done now !

Stafford, Oct 2015 Stafford, Oct 2015 Stafford, Oct 2015

Another great turnout for  CMC 2-Stroke Day.

CMC 2-Stroke Day 2016 CMC 2-Stroke Day 2016 CMC 2-Stroke Day 2016

And big crowds as usual at  Barton Bike Night.

Barton 2016 Barton 2016 Barton 2016 Barton 2016

Loads of two-strokes at the big trackday weekend at  Cadwell Park  hosted by  Classic Bike Trackdays.

Cadwell 2016 Cadwell 2016 Cadwell 2016 Cadwell 2016

A slightly smaller turnout for  Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day  this year, but still a top event.

Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2016 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2016 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2016

Our tenth birthday at Stafford Show.

Stafford, Oct 2016 Stafford, Oct 2016 Stafford, Oct 2016 Stafford, Oct 2016

May 2017, and the brilliant  Endurance Legends  weekend at Donington.

Donington 2017 Donington 2017 Donington 2017 Donington 2017 Donington 2017 Donington 2017

Is the   Cadwell Trackday Weekend  the best event of the year ?  Very probably.

Cadwell 2017 Cadwell 2017 Cadwell 2017 Cadwell 2017

A little quieter than usual at  Barton Bike Night.

Barton 2017 Barton 2017 Barton 2017 Barton 2017

Our 12th display at Stafford Show.

Stafford, Oct 2017 Stafford, Oct 2017 Stafford, Oct 2017 Stafford, Oct 2017 Stafford, Oct 2017

May 2018, and another cracking weekend at the  Endurance Legends  event at Donington.

Donington 2018 Donington 2018 Donington 2018 Donington 2018 Donington 2018

A month later and the usual brilliant weekend at  Cadwell...

Cadwell 2018 Cadwell 2018 Cadwell 2018 Cadwell 2018 Cadwell 2018

...which was just a warm-up for the amazing  Classic Suzuki Day.

Classic Suzuki Day 2018 Classic Suzuki Day 2018 Classic Suzuki Day 2018 Classic Suzuki Day 2018 Classic Suzuki Day 2018

Our 13th display at Stafford Show.

Stafford, Oct 2018 Stafford, Oct 2018 Stafford, Oct 2018 Stafford, Oct 2018

And our 14th visit to Stafford Show.

Stafford, Oct 2019 Stafford, Oct 2019 Stafford, Oct 2019 Stafford, Oct 2019

Been a few years since we made it to  Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day  but it was worth the wait.

Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2020 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2020 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2020 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2020

And in these strange times, the next event we made it to was...  Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day.

Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2021 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2021 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2021 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2021 Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2021

And 7 years after we first visited, we were back at the Welsh Classic Motorcycle Festival at  Anglesey  hosted by  Classic Bike Trackdays.

anglesey 2022 anglesey 2022 anglesey 2022 anglesey 2022

Hot and busy at  Barton Bike Night.

Barton 2022 Barton 2022 Barton 2022 Barton 2022

Next up ?  Not sure.  We like doing new things but there are plenty of established events that we'll get to if we can - please let us know if there's somewhere you think we should be.  And we'll need your help too of course.

Rather than publish a list on here, the best place to see - and suggest - future shows, trackdays, meets and runs can be found on  Forum Events.

Stafford 2006     Uttoxeter 2007     Stafford 2007     Bristol 2008     Uttoxeter 2008     Stafford 2008     Bristol 2009     Uttoxeter 2009     2-Stroke Sunday 2009     Stafford 2009     NEC 2009     NSR Weekend 2010     Dutch Classic Superbike Meeting 2010     Uttoxeter 2010     Stafford 2010     Florida 2010     Uttoxeter 2011     Cadwell 2011     Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2011     Stafford 2011     Cadwell 2012     The Chip Shop Run 2012     Donington 2012     Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2012     Stafford 2012     SouthWest SmokeFest 2013     Cadwell 2013     Stafford 2013     Donington 2014     CMC 2-Stroke Day 2014     Cadwell 2014     Stafford 2014     Anglesey 2015     Barry Sheene Festival 2015     Barton Bike Night 2015     Cadwell 2015     Donington 2015     Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2015     Stafford 2015     CMC 2-Stroke Day 2016     Barton Bike Night 2016     Cadwell 2016     Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2016     Stafford 2016     Donington 2017     Cadwell 2017     Barton Bike Night 2017     Stafford 2017     Donington 2018     Cadwell 2018     Classic Suzuki Day 2018     Stafford 2018     Stafford 2019     Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2020     Yorkshire 2-Stroke Day 2021     Anglesey 2022     Barton Bike Night 2022


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