Kick-start a two-wheel adventure with Motorcycle Live

Not only is this your best chance to view all the latest machinery, there will also be trade stands and a good dollop of entertainment thrown in.

Events at Birmingham's NEC will be kick-started with the best of British racing talent out in force for an opening ceremony that will see MotoGP star Cal Crutchlow fire up his Yamaha M1 machine on the Black Horse Stage.

He will be joined by current World Supersport champion Chaz Davies, double World Superbike champion James Toseland, Moto2 rider Bradley Smith and 125GP contenders Danny Webb and Taylor MacKenzie.

Adding to the startling sound of the Yamaha M1 on stage will be a Moto2 race bike, provided by Buckinghamshire-based business FTR Moto.

"We wanted to do something totally different to open the show this year - something that represents what Motorcycle Live is all about," says Finlay McAllan, managing director of organisers MCI Exhibitions. "By having the two bikes fire up on stage, we are really bringing home the message that the 'live' element is not just a name. To tie this in with a celebration of British talent seemed very fitting."

Yamaha Super Ténéré are running The Escape Zone where, they say, visitors will find all the inspiration - and equipment - they need to plan that motorcycle adventure of a lifetime.

If older motorcycles are more your thing, head over to the Classic Zone, where there will be a display of machines dating back to the 1920s.

Over at the Custom Xtreme Zone you'll be able to marvel at all the chrome - and ingenuity - wrapped up in some of the finest customised motorcycles around, while at the T+MX and DBR Off-road Zone you will be able to try your hand at off-road riding with Yamaha and the ACU Trials Zone.

Worried that your children might get bored? They're catered for too. At the Suzuki Off-Road Experience, children aged six and over can enjoy tuition from fully trained instructors, learning the basics of bike control and off-road riding techniques on mini Suzukis.

For visitors wanting to hone their bike control skills, the ACU Trials Zone will be running twice-daily demonstrations followed by open sessions for visitors to try their hand at trials riding under the guidance of the experts.

Children as young as five can enjoy a free taster session with My First Honda Licence, designed to introduce aspiring young riders to motorcycling in a safe, controlled environment. They will be guided around a street scene before receiving a printed mock-up licence.

Motorcycle novices - or those thinking of returning to two wheels - can try a two-wheel taster session in the Get On Arena, specially designed to show what motorcycling is all about.

Occupying a secure area in hall 4 for the duration of the nine-day event, Get On will be offering riders over the age of 16 the chance to take part in 20-minute taster sessions. Visitors can choose from a range of scooters and motorcycles and there will also be the option of electric scooters for eco-friendly future riders.

All safety equipment will be provided and a fully qualified instructor will give a one-on-one briefing ahead of each session. Participants will then be introduced to the basics of biking. While walk-up appointments will be available, you can pre-book at geton.co.uk.

Participants can then find out everything they need to know about biking - from where to do a CBT and how to get a licence, to buying that first bike and getting kitted out and insured.

If you want to watch how the experts do it, there will be entertainment in the form of the Ramp'd Up Freestyle Motocross Arena.

For tickets, visit motorcyclelive.co.uk or call 0844 5812345. For the latest news and updates, visit facebook.com/motorcyclelive or follow @motorcyclelive on Twitter.