Bike testing at Knockhill – Saturday 29th September 2pm-6pm

I don’t know if this is only open to racers who’re competing in Sunday’s race meeting or if anyone can pop along, probably best to phone up Knockhill and enquire. Book your space on this Saturdays Bike Testing and save £10! Call 01383 723 337 now!

Scottish Championship Racing and Niall Mackenzie at Knockhill – Sunday 30th September

Niall Mackenzie and son Taylor.

Although Niall will not be making an appearance on track on Sunday it will be a great day out and there’ll be some great racing on show.

Flying Scot, triple British Superbike Champion Niall Mackenzie’s plan to come out of retirement and compete in the final motorcycle race meeting of the season at Knockhill Racing Circuit has had to be put in the sidings.

After an emergency appendix operation, Doctors have ruled that Scotland’s best known and loved 2 wheel bike racing legend will have to be content to be a spectator for the next 6 weeks.

Niall told Knockhill’s PR Manager Ray Smith “I was really looking forward to finding out if I still had what it takes by competing in the Supersport 600 Class at the Jock Taylor meeting but there’s no way I will have recovered sufficiently to ride any bike, let alone race one.” Added Niall “Mac will definitely be back at Knockhill to race at a meeting in 2008 and sooner rather than later.”

The Scottish race hero will still attend the end of season finale to present the inaugural Niall Mackenzie Trophy to the winner of the 600’s and will be bringing along four of his most famous race bikes including his LC 350cc Yamaha and British Superbike Championship winning Cadbury’s Boost Yamaha.

One member of the Mackenzie clan who will be on the starting grid on Sunday 30th September will be Niall’s 14 year old son Taylor (who was named after World Champion Jock).

The promising youngster will line up with 19 other up and coming stars of tomorrow in the one make F125 Championship where everyone competes on Aprilia RS 125cc machines. Taylor’s bike is prepared by UK 1 Racing.

Other young Scots tipped for stardom will also compete in the GP125cc class where Motherwell based Dean Brown’s UK 1 Racing Honda RS125 will be a strong contender as will Falkirk star Timmy Hasting on his similar mount.

Adam Blacklock from Forth in Lanarkshire, with a wealth of European competition experience on his CV will undoubtedly be seeking a win too.

The 15 race programme will feature early morning qualifying and racing from approximately 11.30am.

Knockhill Bike Trackdays in October

SUPERTRACK SCOTLAND – Tuesday 9th October
A trackday with the stars!!!! Including; Niall Mackenzie, John Reynolds and Jamie Whitham.
Day includes: After registration, there’s tea/coffee and bacon roll, your three hour open track session with instruction if required, lunch in our on-site Restaurant, then back out on track for a further three hours. Complimentary group photograph and ‘Track Attack’ T-Shirt included. There’s only a few places left so call 01383 720 004 to book your place! This will sell out! £199 per person!

BIKE TRACK DAY OPEN SESSION – Wed 10th October
Open to all!! Track is live from 10am – 5pm. Places are limited so book now! Only £135!

Jock Taylor Memorial Sidecar Racing – Knockhill, Sunday 30th

Jock Taylor in action.

Packed grids of riders will be the order of the day at Knockhill Racing Circuit on Sunday 30th September when the popular venue stages the finals of the SACU Scottish Championship Motorcycle Racing year.

Organised by Kirkcaldy & District Motor Club, the traditional end of season Jock Taylor Memorial race meeting will mark the 25th Anniversary of the death of Scotland’s revered sidecar racing world champion who died in a racing accident whilst defending his World crown at the Imatra road circuit in Finland on August 15th 1982. Jock was 28.

Jock, who hailed from Pencaitland in East Lothian was a truly great ambassador for Scotland and his sport and his exploits in British, TT and World Championship racing are simply legendary and his contribution to sidecar racing helped create awareness and enthusiasm seldom seen for the fantastic spectacle that the ‘charioteers’ provide.

Lifting aloft the prestigious ‘Jock Taylor Memorial Trophy’ will be the main aim of all the drivers entered in the sidecars on Sunday and none more so than Bill and Graeme Davie from Markinch who have already clinched the 2007 Championship but would love to see their names on the magnificent trophy. Two top teams from south of the border however are just as determined to claim the spoils.

2006 Champion Phil Bell with James Neave from Bedlington and Mansfield maestro’s Ben and Tom Birchall have their sights set on the biggest trophy in sidecar racing.

Elsewhere, some classes are over subscribed with entries which will ensure interesting qualifying sessions as riders go flat out to gain a place on the race grids.

Motorcycle dealer Bob Grant from Pitscottie is favourite to pick up his fourth Supersport 600 class championship in succession aboard his Honda CBR 600 RR but Loanhead’s David Paton riding his double M racing Yamaha R6 can still mathematically pinch it if Bob has a bad day at the office.

The big 1000cc Sports Production boys will battle it out to the last lap with Montrose flyer Bruce Birnie on his Suzuki GS XR 1000 ready to stave off an expected strong challenge from current 2nd placed Scone sensation Torquil Paterson riding a similar machine.

The new for 2007 Shark / Metzeler 600 Production series has proved to be a massive success with both riders and fans and the final promises to be nothing short of sensational with Cardenden star Craig McLelland, despite suffering three broken toes and numerous broken bones in his left foot after a big accident in August and missing four races as a result is hanging on to a narrow 6 point lead on his Kawasaki ZX6R 07 over David Paton and who is in a strong position to challenge Craig. Third placed Lewis Farrow from Perth on his very fast Honda CBR 600 is guaranteed to make a late charge.

The action packed finale to the season includes a whopping 32 entries in the 400cc Production class plus F400 races, F125 & GP 125’s and incredibly loud older machines in the classic category and aptly named ‘Forgotten Era’ class.

The 15 race programme will see action on track from 0900hrs

Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 road test and pictures

Another road test from a few months ago, was totally blown away by just how fast and stable the big gixxer was. Took some piccies of it too which I’ll post shortly. There’s a couple of links at the bottom of the article to other posts about Micron’s MotoGP Zorst for the K7 and a Micron de-cat pipe. There’s a dozen or so pictures at the bottom of the article too.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 road test.

Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 K7 Click on the image for a larger version.

TIP the Suzuki GSXR K7 into a fast corner, feed the power on and you know you’ve reached biking heaven.
It inspires confidence by the shedload.

The throttle response is instant, smooth and spectacularly powerful.

The Gixxer makes you feel like a better rider, it flatters you like a good mate.

It has been about for seven years and has been the daddy of the litre-class family.

And this year’s model keeps the momentum. There’s 165bhp at the rear wheel, enough electronic trickery to keep an astronaut happy and total user-friendliness. The Gixxer is good for 190mph, yet you could ride it all day and never notice.

The engine has lost a lot of the low-down grunt of the K6 but it’s made up for that with an extra 7bhp at peak power.

But I’d have preferred to have a bit more torque and sacrifice some of the 12,000rpm top end.

There is still a ton of mid-range though and the delivery is silky smooth, great for blasting out of corners.

The K7 has also piled on the pounds – it’s 6kg lardier but still tips the scales at a featherweight 172kg.

This lack of weight and mind-bending acceleration make the K7 feel like a 600 on steroids – it’s great fun but liable to get you hurt if you don’t treat it with respect.

Styling hasn’t changed that much from last year except the pesky twin pipes.

They’re obviously there because of emissions’ regulations so are necessary – but they’re horrid.

The finish looks a bit iffy. I’d replace them, but that’s a whole system job so it would be expensive.

Budding Inspector Gadgets will love the Suzuki. It has enough toys to keep even the most tedious pub bore occupied – electonic steering damper, slipper clutch, radial brakes and movable pegs.

The coup de grace is the switchable engine map operated by a toggle on the right handle bar.

It has three positions. Mode A unleashes the full-fat 165bhp in all its glory.

Mode B makes the delivery more subdued up to 9,000rpm then you’re into full power again.

Mode C cuts power at low revs and kills it completely after 8,000rpm.

The sporty riding position puts a fair bit of weight on your wrists, but it’s very comfy and the saddle is well padded.

You’ll find yourself naturally tucking down under the screen and adopting a racer pose, it has that effect on you.

It’s fun and easy-going. Whether you’re commuting, touring or tearing up the track, the GSX-R1000 is up to the task and makes you feel like a better biker into the bargain.

PRICE: £8,949
0-100MPH: sub 6secs
TOP SPEED: 180+mph
INSURANCE GROUP: 17
ECONOMY: 40mpg
RIVALS: Yamaha YZF-R1, Honda CBR1000RR

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Related articles/posts.

Micron exhaust link pipe for the GSX-R1000 K7.

Micron MotoGP exhaust system for the GSX-R1000 K7.

A funny advert from South African AutoTrader

Nothing Scottish about this at all but it made me laugh.

Dealer Directory – Jim Allan Motorcycles, Falkirk

Jim Allan Motorcycles
208 Grahams Road, Flakirk FK2 7BX
Tel: 01324 620111
Fax: 01324 613964
Website: www.jim-allan.co.uk
Emails: sales@jim-allan.co.uk

Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm.

Jim Allan are main dealers for Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprilia selling motorcycles and scooters from all three manufacturers. They have recently opened a new showroom which is specifically for the Suzuki range.

Dealer Directory – Victor Devine Motorcycles, Glasgow

Victor Devine Motorcycles
58-60 Hydepark Street, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8BW.
Bike Sales: 0141 225 8110
Clothing/accessory Sales: 0141 225 8115
Service: 0141 25 8130
Parts: 0141 225 8120
Office: 0141 225 8100
website: www.victor-devine.co.uk

Open 6 days a week, Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm, 9am till 5pm on Saturday.

Victors have been about since 1948 so needless to say they know a thing or two about selling bikes and looking after their customers.

They only sell Honda but they are a flagship dealer and the place is huge offering the whole Honda range of motorcycles and scooters. They’ve also got a large selection of second hand machines.

With plenty of secondhand bikes in stock too and a large range of high-quality accessories there’s plenty to keep you busy for a half hour or so if you just fancy a nosey.

They’ve also got a cafe upstairs so you can have a brew if you fancy it.

Ducati Hypermotard 1100S road test

Another road test that I did a few months back.

As ever any comments greatly appreciated, I managed to get some piccies done by a snapper so as soon as I get a hold of ’em I’ll post them too.

Ducati Hypermotard 1100S road test.
IF the Government gave out ASBOs to motorcycles, the Ducati Hypermotard S would get one every time it started up.

At the moment you can only get the bonkers Bologna beast in red.

Buckfast yellow and the ned’s favourite – a nice Burberry pattern – will be along shortly.

Make no mistake, this bike is a hooligan, a hyperactive wide-boy, and after riding it for ten minutes you soon start behaving like one.

Fuel injection and twin plugs on each cylinder put power output in the region of 90bhp, and there’s a truckload of grunt, too.

It’s not all about the engine, though – the frame and suspension parts are all top-shelf.

The S model has the same huge 50mm Marzocchi forks as the standard model, but they have a low friction diamond-like coating which improves feel and road holding.

At the back there’s an Ohlins remote reservoir shock which offers fantastic feedback. The package is finished off by a set of Brembo monoblock callipers which require two fingers in most situations.

Twin Termis provide the aural extravaganza you would expect from such a potent package.

A liberal dose of carbon fibre finishes off the Hypermotard a treat.

Press the starter and the big L-twin fires up and settles into a gentle, booming rumble.

At 845mm it ain’t gonna appeal to the vertically-challenged, but once aboard the view is nice.

The instrument cluster is minimalist, but everything you need is there.

Fold-away mirrors might seem like a gimmick but they do work well – they’re handy when you’re filtering, too. But commuting is not where its heart lies.

Get it out onto your favourite, twisty A-road and it finds its feet.

It’s not about going blazingly fast in a straight line, it’s the fun in the bends and the huge, cheeky grins that it puts on your face that make the Hypermotard so special. The handling is sublime – over the front on the way into a corner, open the throttle and let the grunt force you back down the seat.

Knee-down antics are no problem either.

The S is a bit pricier, but for what you’re getting, it’s well worth the extra wedge.

PRICE: Pounds 8,995
0-100MPH: sub 9 secs
TOP SPEED: 135mph
INSURANCE GROUP: 15
ECONOMY: 40mpg
RIVALS: KTM 950 Supermoto BMW HP2 Megamoto

Dealer Directory – Cupar Motorcycles, Fife

Cupar Motorcyles
Westport, Cupar, Fife KY15 4AW
Sales: 01334 655 707
Service/spares: 01334 655757
Fax: 01334 650704
email: sales@cupar.co.uk
spares@cupar.co.uk
website: www.cupar.co.uk

Open 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, late till 7.30pm on a Wednesday (during summer). Sunday noon till 5pm.

Cupar are a Suzuki and generally do some of the cheapest prices in the country, country meaning the UK not just Scotland. They also usually have a large and ever changing used range too so if you’re after something in particular it’s worth giving them your details if they don’t have what you’re after in stock. Their sales staff are Gordon and Richard, both top fellas who are always keen to do a deal. The shop always has a good range of demo bikes which they’re more than happy to let you have a shot on. Demo rides usually last about 30-45 minutes so you get a good chance to get the feel of a bike. Gordon or Richard can provide more details.

(Last updated 26th March 2009)