Feature: First motorcycle exhibition opens in Sofia

The first motorcycle exhibition in the Bulgarian capital kicked off on Wednesday at the Inter Expo Center, reflecting the revival of this market in the Balkan country.

The five-day event, organized by the Association of Car Manufacturers (ACM), displays the newest bikes and scooters of 10 leading brands such as Harley Davidson, Peugeot, BMW, MV Agusta, Kymco, Suzuki and Honda, as well as accessories and everything related to motorcycles.

Stoyan Jelev, chairman of ACM, told Xinhua his association put on the exhibition because the motorcycle market has been gradually reviving in Bulgaria.

He said some 10,000 motorcycles were sold in the country in 2014; 2,000 were new and 8,000 were used, accounting for five percent of the total number of newly-registered vehicles.

Jelev said judging by the experience of similar European countries with similar climate conditions, there was more room for growth.

According to Jelev, key market players in Bulgaria were participating in the exhibition, and the most impressive brands were being presented.

"If a person is a fan of motorcycles, I am confident that he will not miss this exhibition," he said.

"Here, in one place, a potential buyer will see all the major brands of bikes, among which he possibly have hesitated in his choice, and compare all these things, which he cannot see elsewhere for so short time in one place," Jelev said.

Dimitar Silyanov, a man in his 40s, dressed in black leather, was among the first visitors at the event, and eagerly awaited seeing the exhibition.

He told Xinhua that he was really fond of motorcycles and had an enduro bike, riding in the mountains almost every weekend.

"I came here thrilled by the bikes, but it's hard to think about buying a new one," he said. "Considering the prices of new machines, it is tough with normal, average incomes for Bulgaria, so we ride second hand motorcycles," Silyanov said.

Another Dimitar came with his 5-year-old son, Ivan. Years ago, Dimitar had a bike, but now he drives only a BMW car, he told Xinhua. He said he hopes to find a bike at the exhibition, and buy it.

"I will take a small motorcycle, not big, because of my son, Ivan, to be able to ride together; a small motorcycle - scooter or something like that, not a big bike," he said. Endit