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2009 Yamaha XJ6 and Diversion road test review
By Niall Mackenzie on 31/03/2010 13:58:15
Niall Mackenzie goes walkabout with a pair of Yamaha’s budget bikes in the Australian outback. Disappointingly, Jenny Agutter is nowhere to be seen.
it will be a bit of fun to ride, and, as I’ll explain in a moment, it certainly doesn’t disappoint.At the front end, the dash, headlight and conventional 41mm front forks have a minimalist but functional look, which I actually prefer to the more expensive
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First Ride: 2006 Honda Fireblade
By Niall Mackenzie on 20/09/2010 22:47:05
It wasn't broken but Honda fixed it anyway. Niall plays 'spot the difference' with a freshly honed 2006 Fireblade
Yamaha launched its original R1 in 1997 we congratulated it on giving us the most exciting road bike ever. Over the next four years it gradually sedated this fine tool before finally re-fitting excitement and character for '04. Since '02 Suzuki has been
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2010 BMW S1000RR Niall Mackenzie track test
By Niall Mackenzie on 03/06/2010 16:56:00
Visordown’s road test editor is also a three times British Superbike Champion. So who better to sample the most eagerly awaited bike from BMW? Niall Mackenzie takes the S1000RR to the edge
lane here at Portmão makes it feels like someone’s nicked the engine. BMW claim a dry weight of 190kgs and I wouldn’t dispute it, they’ve even managed to make that feel less than it is.The BMW bloke in the pre-ride press conference encouraged us to do
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Niall's Spin: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade review
By Niall Mackenzie on 17/09/2010 15:42:02
I believe you get back exactly what you put in with the latest Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
Click to read: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade owners reviews, Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade specs and to see the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade image gallery.Whether you're a track day ace or a quick road rider, 'predictable' is the word I'd most associate
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First Ride: 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
By Niall Mackenzie on 07/11/2008 12:08:31
Honda doesn’t do quirky on its sportsbikes without a very good reason. Niall puts Honda's new superbike through its paces
model but after his wife tried the pillion seat (her rump was of ample size) said it was way too small.Heading out the pit lane at the Losail circuit in Qatar and my first impression was once again the Blade had a pretty perfect riding position
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First Ride: 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 review
By Niall Mackenzie on 13/05/2008 23:05:44
More power, less weight, and all wrapped in a GSX-R1000 looky-likey form. It's bound to kick butt on-track - but can it deliver on the road?
I WAS PLEASED when I heard my first ride on the 2006 GSX-R600 would be on the road only - French roads, in fact - instead of the more usual track-based sportsbike launch. All new supersport bikes have impressive engine performance, plus they corner
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First Ride: 2005 Honda CBR600RR
By Niall Mackenzie on 31/03/2008 22:17:22
Two years on and the all-conquering CBR600RR gets its first major revamp. Has the best just got better? Crash test dummy Niall flies to Estoril to find out.
themselves as the manufacturer with the best supersports bike for the road and the racetrack. The lack of mid-range punch was always evident when comparing the current CBR with the competition, but saving weight and increasing torque have gone hand
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Niall Mackenzie's BMW S1000RR superbike test review
By Niall Mackenzie on 19/02/2010 14:24:53
Visordown’s road test editor is also a three times British Superbike Champion. So who better to sample the most eagerly awaited bike of 2009? Niall Mackenzie takes BMW’s S1000 RR to the edge...
on pit lane here at Portmão makes it feels like someone’s nicked the engine. BMW claim a dry weight of 190kgs and I wouldn’t dispute it, they’ve even managed to make that feel less than it is.The BMW bloke in the pre-ride press conference encouraged us
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First Ride: 2007 Yamaha YZF-R1
By Niall Mackenzie on 02/04/2008 11:15:27
First out of the blocks for 2007 and hoping to stay there, Yamaha's new R1 looks the goods. But is it? Who better to say than Niall Mackenzie, ex-GP god turned mortal.
found adjusting my riding style and timing helped, but it wasn't perfect. Like last year's R1 SP, the standard road bike now has a slipper clutch, which I worked hard in Qatar and found to be first class.A newly designed chassis with more trail
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First Ride: Ducati SC1000
By Niall Mackenzie on 17/08/2008 20:50:48
Thirty-three years in the planning and Ducati's Sportclassics are finally here. But you'd better be quick if you want one.
, but never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined what would take place 33 years down the road.That cloudy day was unforgettable for Ducati so, in celebration of that victory, and after several years of planning, they have finally launched the first two
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