January or December? Gonna purchase the tickets earlier cause I gotta get my gf gear for next season.
All three but the selection tends to be better at the January one.
Dec has the gear that vendors could not sell. Jan has the new 2012 bikes and new gear/accessories.
there are some deals but there are some not so good deals. First show i went to (dec 08) there was one retailer selling helmets for about 20% over MRSP. I know MRSP is just a suggestion but you don't usually see items going for above MRSP when in stores. Another store had items marked up higher than their catalog price (and they were handing out catalogs). then there were stores that had great deals. some stock is really old, like 5 year old helmets (no idea on tires, didn't look at date stamps) so you have to be careful.
I haven't been to the shows in a while, so I have no idea how they are doing nowadays. And I am looking for an Arai helemt... which show is more likely to have them?
You probably see the big name retailers at the december show (though last year royal distributing was there but not selling anything), the january show with the "flea market" will probably have better deals
be aware of what you are buying.
GP Bikes does both shows. They are the biggest gear shop outside of Royal (I think)
I've never actually seen Royal at a show "selling" stuff.