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Road Test: Ducati 999R
By Niall Mackenzie on 27/04/2008 21:56:57
The new 999R gets the trickest motor Ducati has ever made. It's also just like Neil's (Hodgson, that is) they say, so we sent our own Niall to ride it.
When I first heard that Neil Hodgson was off to the States to take on Duhamel, Bostrom and co in the AMA Superbike series I never doubted he had the talent and commitment to succeed.However, one concern I did have was that the machinery available wouldn't give him the same chance...
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Niall's Spin: Suzuki DL1000
By Niall Mackenzie on 30/09/2010 13:51:14
The DL1000 may do everything you may want it to but may lack in the excitement you want
-proof Japanese reliability. All good news but I've never found riding V-Stroms a particularly inspiring experience.The engine, which is a detuned TL1000 motor, gives good mid-range power between 4000 and 6000rpm allowing easy overtaking without constant gear
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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..
of five years ago or so. But there's one thing spoiling the package for me: the VTEC motor. I can't get my head around it. Below 7000rpm only two valves per cylinder are working; above that all four kick in.The intention is to boost torque at low revs
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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...
Click to read: Ducati ST4 owners reviews, Ducati ST4 specs and to see the Ducati ST4 image gallery.Discovering they had a surplus of 916 motors on their hands as a hike in capacity loomed for that machine, Ducati's ever- economical and green
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Niall's Spin: Yamaha YZF-R6 (2000-01)
By Niall Mackenzie on 11/10/2010 11:47:52
Contender for the greatest 600 of all time and still a class act on the track and road, the bike that set the modern day standard in the supersport class is still a cracker
clearance and dropping the forks through the yokes by 8-10mm) the screaming motor, sharp looks, compact dimensions and overall fun for riding and owning are the key reasons to buy.This particular model had a few styling updates over the original R6
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Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R1000K5
By Niall Mackenzie on 24/04/2008 21:05:24
Probably lighter, certainly faster, but is it any better? Definitely. Niall Mackenzie rides the new GSX-R1000 at Eastern Creek.
the motor. All of which helps give GSX-Rs their character.In the update Suzuki has completely re-designed the GSX-R1000's motor. For a start it's now a genuine 1000cc - well, as near as dammit at 999cc - instead of the old bike's measly 988cc. This small
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First Ride: 2001 Suzuki VL800 Intruder Volusia
By Niall Mackenzie on 20/09/2010 09:53:31
With Suzuki's new 800 Volusia weighing in at just over five grand, one-armed banditos all over the country could be cracking open the piggybank. Or will they? Niall Mackenzie's not so convinced...
it into top as soon as possible, leaning back into the seat and leaving the V-twin motor to do all the work.But talking of the motor, what the hell's going on with the exhaust note? Bikes like this are all about image, and the engine sounds a bit nautical
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Niall's Spin: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird
By Niall Mackenzie on 21/09/2010 12:19:16
Honda's trusty supersports tourer, loved by thousands, but what does Mackenzie make of it?
in the long run. But whichever model you choose, that turbine-like, inline four-cylinder motor is a winner. It'll pull from tickover to a genuine 180mph in top gear and, provided oil is changed and the service book kept in order, will keep thrumming away
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Niall's Spin: Yamaha MT-01 review
By Niall Mackenzie on 21/09/2010 12:25:10
It promised so much that it was bound to fall short, but now the hype has died down, what's it really like to ride?
's fast but not sports bike rapid, and that motor runs out of puff very early on. Huge low rev torque makes it quick off the line and prone to spinning up in the wet but, like the latest turbo-diesel cars, the powerband is narrow and it lacks the high end
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Niall's Spin: Suzuki GSX-R600 (1997-98)
By Niall Mackenzie on 11/10/2010 11:23:21
The early GSX-R600 is a winner. Yes it's an extremely capable sports/track bike but it's reliable and can be pressed into everyday or even holiday duty too
as a razor sharp chassis met a howling motor in pure firebreathing sports scalpel brilliance.As '97 drew to a close Suzuki edged the GSX-R a step further away from its rivals as the sportiest, screamiest 600 around with a host of minor tweaks. Sure
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