THE BikeAsia 2008 two-wheeler exhibition starts tomorrow, and while the spotlight is on the motorcycle and bicycle models to be unveiled there, as well as the live motorcycle stunt spectacles, the show also promises to be a great place to shop for motorbike accessories.

The accessories market in Asean is valued at an estimated US$600 million, or 5 per cent of the region's motorcycle and scooter market.

BikeAsia aims to introduce international manufacturers to this lucrative segment. To that end, expect to see a comprehensive range of equipment on show.

Biketech 21, for instance, has confirmed that it will be displaying its range of Arrow exhaust systems, a popular Italian brand made famous by winning race teams in the World Superbike competitions.

Crucially, many of the Arrow models are street legal, and come with all the necessary documentation to register the systems and ensure that a banshee-like exhaust howl not only sounds great on the track but also won't get you a ticket from the traffic police.

All the motorcycle helmet brands are also represented - Arai, Shoei, OGK, HJC and AGV - plus, there will be brand new helmet models unveiled exclusively at BikeAsia, such as AGV's Blade GP Tech Valentino Rossi, named after the four-time MotoGP champion.

Aside from performance features like super light weight and aerodynamics, the GP Tech's paintwork is bound to draw stares and grubby hands.

Although the race-designed helmet is perfectly useable on the street, bikers looking for less overkill will also be able to check out AGV's street-oriented Blade helmet, which will be the new top-of-the-line model of the brand's City range.

Hopefully, along with gloves and riding boots on sale, BikeAsia will encourage bikers in the region to don the kind of protection that is treated as a necessity elsewhere, but viewed here as unnecessary or an ostentatious parade of wealth.

To tempt bikers, there are Spotlite leather racing suits, complete with high-speed impact-resistant armour and velcro kneesliders.

There will even be some obscure items, such as motorcycle powertrain chains from Italian company Regina, which has no relation to the well-known local dealer of the same name. With all the accessories, bikes and shows at BikeAsia, you should be spoilt for choice.

BikeAsia is on at the Singapore Expo from April 10-13.

This article was first published in The Business Times on Apr 9, 2008.