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First Ride: Honda CBR600RR (2007)
By Niall Mackenzie on 02/04/2008 11:42:59
Yamaha won the supersport 600 sales war in 2006, and Honda is out for revenge. They think the all-new CBR600RR is the tool for the job, and Niall Mackenzie reckons they might be right.
. The parallels continue...In 2006, for the first time in the 600RR's five-year history, Honda failed to top the European sales charts. Yamaha's new R6 did that, and if it hadn't been for a bizarre lack of concentration from Kevin Curtain at last round
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Niall's Spin: Suzuki GSX1300 Hayabusa
By Niall Mackenzie on 11/10/2010 16:35:40
Suzuki's Hayabusa is another motorcycle with a face only its mother could love, with the speed and agility of a dolphin and the looks of a beached whale
machine appear, on the face of it, heavy and bulky. It isn't. For a start, the Hayabusa is very, very fast. One of the Suzuki engineers' design briefs was to whup the Blackbird's arse - which the Hayabusa does, buy a comprehensive, if academic, 11mph (189
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Niall's Spin: Honda VFR800 (2002-2005)
By Niall Mackenzie on 11/10/2010 16:20:42
Arguably the original sports tourer and certainly the best - or at least that was the case before Honda monkeyed with the formula when it relaunched the VFR with VTEC in 2002..
.Take it steady and at your own pace though and it's possible to strtetch nearly 200 miles from a tankful - but you'll need to keep the motor running below 7000rpm in two-valve only mode. Build quality is another bonus, equal or a close second to BMW's. So keep
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Niall's Spin - Triumph TT600 (2002-03)
By Niall Mackenzie on 08/10/2010 16:15:13
Originally released as a challenger to the supersport crown held by the CBR600 and R6, the Triumph TT600 never really lived up to it's potential
of all, not only does the TT's press pillorying mean used prices are in bargain basement territory, but by going for the '02/'03 models you'll also get the ones that came with the most sorted fuelling and most of the hideous stutters of the '00/'01 models
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Living with a 2001 KTM Duke II
By Niall Mackenzie on 26/05/2002 14:02:00
Our Spuds lives life with KTM's crazy supermoto
September 2001"Do you want a long-termer, Niall?" asked editor-bloke Alex, the only man to have got his knee down in the Valencia pit lane (he was falling off at the time). Well, when I found out this meant a free bike for me, and not as I had first
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First Ride: 2006 BMW R1200S
By Niall Mackenzie on 20/09/2010 20:09:25
A sporty BMW to take on the likes of Ducati's 999 and even the mighty GSX-R1000? Niall is intrigued...
and the occasional track day. It seems BMW is sick of people comparing the R1100S with sports tourers and wants this new model to compete head-to-head with the sports bike competition.Trimming weight off the chassis, wheels and power train means the R1200S is now 13
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Niall's Spin: KTM 950 Adventure (2003-04)
By Niall Mackenzie on 08/10/2010 12:04:00
Niall spins his review on the KTM 950 Adventure, an exotic dirt bike that makes an excellent touring machine
MultistradaKTM Adventure 950 SpecificationsEngine 942cc, liquid cooled v-twinPower 97bhp @ 8,000rpmTorque 40ft/lbs @ 5,500rpmCompression ratio 11.5:1Bore x stroke 100 x 60mmFront suspension 48mm WP USD forksRear suspension WP shock with hydraulic spring
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Niall's Spin: Harley-Davidson FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide (2002-03)
By Niall Mackenzie on 08/10/2010 12:38:56
The Daddy of the Mackenzie clan gives his take on the Daddy of the Harley family, the Ultra Classic
Honda GL1800 Gold Wing, 2005 BMW R1200CLHarley-Davidson FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide SpecificationsEngine 1450cc, air cooled v-twinTop speed 108mphPower 65bhp Torque 80.8 ft/lbs @ 3,300rpmCompression ratio 8.8:1Bore x stroke 95.3 x 101.6mm
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Niall's Spin: Ducati ST4
By Niall Mackenzie on 08/10/2010 14:27:07
With an engine donated from the exotic 916 how does Ducati's sport tourer compare with the rest of this tough market, Niall Mackenzie investigates...
what is at its heart a race-based motor it will need rigorous maintenance to keep it on song. For example valve clearances and cambelts need checking and cambelts replacing every 12,000 miles, which will set you back about £600. But buy smart and with a
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Niall's Spin: Honda XL1000V Varadero (2001-02)
By Niall Mackenzie on 08/10/2010 15:48:57
A touring bike disguised as an off-roader if ever there was one, the Varadero's dirt pretensions are just that
need a suspension refresh, so budget anything from £200-£800 for new fork springs and fresh oil to a brand spankers rear shock.If you dig the challenging looks - later bikes were slightly less aesthetically handicapped than this model - then a second
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