Secrets of MotoGP 500cc Grand Prix Riders with Niall Mackenzie

Secrets of MotoGP 500cc Grand Prix Riders with Niall Mackenzie. What made them so good? I asked Dad to talk me through the World Champions from 1987-1995 which many say was the golden era of MotoGP racing. The 500cc two stroke motorcycles were famously called the unrideables. Dad talked me through what made Kevin Schwantz, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner so good.
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[@RickyJr46]

At Laguna Seca in '93, Doohan crashed hard exiting the Corkscrew late in final qualifying. To our surprise he limped up the steep embankment to hang out with fans along the fence! That was really cool of Mick!

[@tonyb9735]

I once briefly shared a track with Niall. I was doing a Race School, and I was fast! I had left the rest of my classmates so far behind that the school asked Niall to jump on one of their bikes and come out to keep an eye on me. At one particular section, where I thought I was going as fast as it was humanly possible to go, Niall overtook me, around the outside, with one hand on the handlebars and one hand on the grab rail so that he could look behind to see what I was doing! Despite his kindly praise in the paddock afterwards, that day firmly ended any illusions that I was a fast rider! The difference between the best riders in the world, of whom Niall was definitely one, and us mere mortals is an uncrossable, yawning chasm. It was a rare privilege to be able to watch his ability from such a wonderful vantage point, not many people get that opportunity. And he is such a lovely chap too!

[@dickfitzwelliner2807]

He turned around to show you that your 110% was his 80% and that you were getting a little big for your britches. All in good fun. So were you able to follow him a few laps so you could learn when to brake later and get on the gas sooner? It would be so cool to get to ride with a pro

[@tonyb9735]

@@dickfitzwelliner2807 Honestly, I don't think he needed nearly as much as 80%. It was so nonchalant, so easy for him. However, it isn't until you share the track with somebody that good that you can really appreciate the difference between you and them. Ever since that day, it has amazed me how highly the human body can be tuned for doing one specific task. Unfortunately, we had to come in to the paddock very shortly afterwards, so I didn't really get the opportunity to learn too much from him. A couple of years later I did a 3 day riding school with Yamaha at the Nürburgring where we had plenty of time for that, and it changed *everything*. They practically changed the laws of physics for me! =8^D

[@derf9465]

I did rocket Ron's school In 2002, lots of riders, I was slow. But the guys who thought they were fast......well. His son turned up, jumped on a bike, and got a lady to jump on the back. The fast guys were using all the track, Leon, went down the inside, under taking and lapping far quicker. Its always made me think, why bother buying a litre sports bike. Thats why i ride a rs250 now, I just enjoy it.

[@raynic1173]

I had a similar thing happen at a track day...the resident pro passed me on the outside with a pillion rider aboard...

[@Wirefox1]

As a massive Schwantz fan, I find this hard to say, but I think it's the truth that Kevin's weakest strength was: He never knew when to settle for points, he always wanted the podium. Met him a couple of times and he is a very down to earth guy. I even named my son after him in 93 when he won the title.

[@auralumin]

If there is one guy that deserves a shout out when discussing this era it must be Randy Mamola. Back in the day, Eddie Lawson was my favorite rider, but watching Randy put on a spectacular show at the USGP, especially during practice sessions, forever made him a supernatural being in my eyes. Thanks Niall, you were very kind to spend a moment with me as well as give me a team photo and an autograph which I treasure to this day. Cheers mate!

[@tmac77]

I think this deserves another video this weekend then! 😁

[@wbev_thai1666]

And freddie

[@randolphfuller4681]

Randy was great in wet weather.

[@macunion1225]

i think randy was always noted for the amount of technical feedback he could give to engineers , he was one of the first to write off the carbon fibre frame which is pretty much accepted to this day and also noted small things like when a front axle wasnt stiff enough

[@jkim6200]

@@wbev_thai1666 Mamola and Spencer preceded this period just by little bit. Mamola wasn't able to pull together a championship year and Freddie (my favorite) was pretty much burned out after the Double in 1985. He looked competitive much later on a Two Brothers RC30.

[@pcar928fan]

I quit watching motorcycle racing after the 500cc bikes were gone. As a moto-X guy on a little 125 or 250 I understood how impossible to ride the 500 bikes were and watching you guys do it and make it look easy was beyond amazing to me. So when the impossible to ride bikes were no long being ridden then what was the point anymore…. I have Wayne’s book, signed by him to me. I treasure it. I too ended up having an accident on my Moto-X bike that put me in a wheelchair. Same paralysis level as Wayne actually.

[@Gdesign959]

That’s when I quit watching too. I wish they would bring back the two strokes. 500cc might be too much with today’s technology but maybe 400cc would bring back some of the amazement that was lost when the 500’s disappeared.

[@robertrishel3685]

Absolutely THE greatest era of moto GP! No contest! It’s so crazy seeing videos like this now, Niall was one of my greatest childhood heroes! 🤯

[@gmazz0913]

Eddie Lawson went to high school with me. He was one or two years older than me. My freshman year in metal shop, Eddie was the TA for us. Most of the time he and some others were welding up custom made steel sliding shoes for flat track racing, which Eddie excelled in before RR. Very quiet, but nice guy.

[@jarlborg1531]

One of my favourite biking memories was watching Niall lead the British GP at Donington in 89. His RS Taichi toe slider came off at the esses, and when the race ended I went out and picked it up, I've still got it, along with the autograph Niall did for me at the Brands Hatch Day of Champions in 1990. Happy days.

[@GTE_Channel]

Two strokes are just awesome. Period.

[@nodtripRS]

Magical days, magical memories. Loved the 2 stroke era of the 80s n 90s.

[@DeereX748]

I loved watching all these guys race as well as the generation leading into them, such as Freddie Spencer, Mike Baldwin, and Kenny Roberts.

[@carstenweiland7896]

Still got a Wayne Rainey poster up, love the two stroke era.

[@CaptainCrash999]

I remember Rob Mac recounting the story of beating Kevin Schwantz, I had never heard it before but found it hilarious, managed to meet Kevin(my bike hero) on a few occasions at various shows/events and found incredible what a personable guy he was and very very funny! And like Niall said, his loyalty to Suzuki was probably the reason he never had greater world championship wins

[@dennish9923]

Taylor, I am your dads age. I was a club racer back in the 80’s all of these guys were my heroes at that time. What a great video. Thank you!

[@kiwiswede]

Me too. Great to find material from “our time”

[@aligorman7752]

Absolutely brilliant, my teenage hero explaining about what I think was the golden era of racing. Thanks Taylor and Niall 😁

[@derekbond3512]

Yourself and these guys are what made the early and500 GP two strokes era memorable, along with Spencer, Mamola , and Barry Sheene . Thanks for the memories Nial

[@mchristr]

Doohan was a fantastic rider but I only wish he'd been able to race Rainey and Schwantz for more years. I agree that Kevin on a Honda or Yamaha would have been formidable.

[@AuProspecting-Scotland]

What a treat with Niall narrating , fabulous insight into the past behind the scenes, tell tale all their secrets lol, Niall turned those respectful racers into party animals lolol , i still laugh at his story he told other riders of how he got into Motorcycle Racing , but the Rob McElnea nightclub story is the best yet, those doormen must have been drunk lol , Niall you will always be a legend, great Video Taylor thank you.

[@Glenrsi]

Eddie Lawson was my favourite on the Marlboro Yamaha. Enjoyed the 2 strokes the most, ever.

[@KotakMeister]

The 500cc era was the absolute best for me. Every kid i knew wanted to be Eddie Lawson, but i loved Kevin Schwantz and my best friend at the time adored Freddie Spencer. Good days.

[@Martin-yv3cz]

I absolutely loved watching all of these guys racing , I've been a big fan of King Kenny Robert's since 78 when he won his first of three world championships.

[@simmapallen]

You forgot a huge character, John Kozinski.

[@MrMotorNerd]

What a treat . Best Era . Men were men . Thx Niall Legend

[@OldManRoo]

What a fascinating insight into these giants of the 500cc era! This was the time I started following GP racing, with the rise of Wayne Gardner, and I watched all these guys race week after week. Thanks Niall, for such a candid look at these incredible riders!

[@markjohnson8352]

Thank you, Niall. Happy 2022 to your family, especially your boys. They're a credit to you, and their mum of course! 👊🏻

[@malcsco]

Looking forward to more of the same!. Keep them coming TeamMac

[@nhhammer8782]

Wonderful stuff we love hearing about all the great men that rode those beasts.

[@mattnycm3]

Great video! All the riders mentioned are the reason I am a big Moto GP fan to this day. Those 500cc 2 stroke bikes were epic to watch back in the day.

[@patrickhiggs1215]

Fantastic, thanks for another great video. Gave me a good chuckle ! Happy new year and best wishes to you all.

[@harrybell11]

Great video! Hard to say which is the best era late 80/early 90s or today in terms of racing but your dad’s era definitely had more characters and more fun by the sound of it!

[@petersykes8891]

Great to hear stories from back in the day,what a legend of a family and all the best for 2022 and keep the content coming 🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲🇮🇲👍

[@dukiemoto8676]

That was a lot of fun. Thank you for sharing your story’s and experiences.

[@neevesybikes]

Absolute gold. I could’ve watched an hour of that. 😃

[@JayEss414]

the pinnicle of GP timeframes to me , i could listen to hours of these stories.great video!

[@8ballout]

Great stories there. That was a different time and must have been awesome to be a part of it. Thanks for sharing, Niall.

[@theonlyredspecial]

Fascinating thoughts from a great racer. Thanks for sharing this 👍🏻

[@Watfordfc2030]

This is the era that I fell in love with bikes and my god it was amazing absolutely amazing. What a great video and I wish it went on for hours as I could listen all day , cheers for this as it was special and revisited when I was younger

[@Watfordfc2030]

@Docs77 I’ll find that and watch that cheers for the heads up , I’m not a huge moto gp fan believe it or not as I prefer the other classes , but this time in racing for me was the best

[@franklinwilkerson2061]

Wow a moment of clarity for Mad Mark!! But seriously, how cool is your Dad, what a life!

[@akilagun1]

Thank you fro that insight. To be in the company of these great riders and be a team mate is something to behold. You are a diamond Sir Mackenzie and i love hearing these stories. Thank you :)

[@turkishexpress]

Appreciate you sharing these experiences.

[@1_5RCBiker]

Great to hear perspectives on older riders from those that were there. Thanks Taylor! (and Mad Mark!)

[@tmac77]

Any time!

[@markf5437]

You may have won a world championship's if you have got bigger power band's like the other guys 😀

[@Tourrider99]

Absolutely brilliant! I grew up looking up to these guys on smoking, screaming 2 stroke beasts. I miss those days when riders were riders, riding hard, spoke straight and partied hard. 👍🏻 None of those F1-risqué towing company line, being robot like, riding bikes with all sorts of electronic aids. I still remember quote by Wayne Rainey ‘I wouldn’t even use Dunlop hat for toilet paper!’ Can’t imagine current riders saying that!

[@whitedrguy6503]

What a brilliant era of racing, so many great battles between the best of the best, even the supporting cast deserve high praise to take the battle to that top 5, not forgetting Randy, probably the best rider never to win a title. Having been born in Scotland and immigrating to Australia at an early age my 2 favourite riders were mad Mark and the Wollongong Wiz.

[@glennkettle6216]

wow fantastic stuff, loved this era of racing and you cant beat stories from the guys that were there!

[@ramboracing702]

Been looking forward to this one! ✌️

[@ChasingTenths]

This is fantastic, always intrigued by the Grand Prix bikes of yester years but didn’t know much

[@garthmctavish7335]

Interesting to hear the stories! They made the bikes look like they were easy to ride. Well done! 😎👍🍻

[@shaunwhitfield112]

Absolutely brilliant Taylor great content as ever 😎😎😎😎🙌👍your dads era was def the best most fun 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️😎🙌👍

[@markdennis930]

Great guy Mac, thank you for the memories.

[@andrewnewby1918]

That was fantastic. We’ve probably all had a Kevin in ours lives at one point😂 Thanks so much for sharing 👍

[@ralphvalkenhoff2887]

Great memories with my dad going to Assen TT. Watching King Kenny Robert’s and Fast Freddie Spencer just going back and forth for the lead. Got great photos on trackside.

[@wolfurine]

Cheers Niall & Taylor - really enjoyed this! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@spooner0007]

Thumbs Up !! Thanks Niall , as an Aussie that grew up and worked in the Racing Industry back then it brings back many Happy Memories of days past. Yes , All of your lot were Supermen :)

[@larropowell3658]

Cracking content. You are lucky having a dad like Niall who seems to have a laugh at most things. You still doing the James Whitham track days?

[@stevecam724]

Kev was my fav too. His braking was totally fearless.

[@leejackson2969]

Brilliant vid fellas. This was when I started watching racing. Absolute superhumans. What an Era. Always wanted that Schwantz rep Arai too. 🙁 Thanks Niall. 👍

[@danweyant707]

Great accent, and I think I caught everything. The informal nature of the interview is great - a reminder to us all to get those stories from our family members. Well done, thank you both.

[@mjaymo]

Amazing, brilliant insight thank you

[@patrickfay1055]

Love your dads story’s keep them coming

[@cullercoatstunneloflove4307]

Taylor, I am of an age when I remember all these riders competing, and to hear your da talking about these times and the riders were brilliant. It's a bit like remembering all the heavyweight boxes fighting in the late 60s and 70s. The best people and the best times. sláinte

[@EpicMotorcycleAdventures]

I grew up watching these guys. Freddie Spencer and Kevin Schwantz were my heroes. But I'll never forget standing at Redgate Corner when Niall swept into the lead of the British GP. What a day.

[@oliverlotus]

Thanks to you. Lovely video. My favourite era.

[@6arethevan5]

Fab little video, insightful and a giggle as always, cheers for sharing 😁👍

[@tmac77]

Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@mrdoodle8748]

Great stuff, thanks so much for that.

[@xutlam]

Wow fantastic insights. TY!

[@trackdaylbs]

Really good reflection on the golden era. All riders were heroes then - tracks were dangerous, bikes were dangerous and safety equipment was basic, but riders gave it 100%.

[@stevebigansky9372]

At 6:05, Neil talking about Eddie "GO AWAY" welcome matt -

[@olivertoeknuckleiii2093]

When Kocinski won Laguna on the Cagiva, I think ‘1993, I was there from the first oaractice session. JK was leaving darkies from both front and rear tires through turn 9,(Raineys corner) and I predicted his win after Doohan tired out from his awful leg injury. This is exactly how it happened. Kocinski rode that 500 on an entirely different level than I had ever seen in the many years before. Most times that level of aggression would wipe out the tires , but Kocinski was already riding and sliding as if on worn tires! It was amazing. I’ve watched Rainey, Schwantz and Lawson win the USGP before, but Kocinski did it in the most badass way possible! It was awesome to see!

[@davem3008]

Brilliant vid guys 👍

[@sallyshepherd5246]

I really really enjoyed listening to the feedback of riders who I loved to watch race, excellent 👌

[@alanburton2689]

Nice to relive the best eras of the moto gp they all rode wild animals no room for mistakes then all the best for you Mckenzie’s for 2022

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video amazing athletes/riders .Respect too all who race bikes stay safe 🇬🇧👍

[@ramboracing702]

One of the few channels worth watching the adverts on!! ✌️

[@kieranokeeffe1363]

Thank you for the insight Niall you were/are an absolute legend

[@bez750]

Great stuff. Really enjoyed this. Would have liked to have heard mad mark's take on fast Freddie spencer

[@chillax498]

Excellent. Great Insight to Great riders.. Cheers lads🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍👍

[@old-veteran]

Interesting video, thanks. I had the pleasure of meeting you when you was hanging out with my friend Doug Chandler around Laguna Seca.

[@crumblymal8479]

Just awesome ! : ) cheers

[@bikerboy7126]

Fascinating. Thanks 👍

[@jonpowell8014]

Great vid! Was always a Schwantz fan as a teen even though i had a Honda 125 when turning 17 so that got painted in Rothmans colours lol. Schwantz vs Rainey in the 87 Transatlantic Trophy was great before they hit GP's full time as well...

[@heinevanrooyen9832]

Thanks Niall for great memories. I remember the racing back then, I remember you being in the mix most of the time. BIG MEN BIG BALLS. The 2 strokes were unforgiving period but you guys made them work and mesmerised us normal guys every time you went out! I started following 500GP from the Barry Sheen and Kenny Roberts days. The modern era can not get my pulse going, and I have stopped actively following the races etc. Isle of Man and the other road races are always up there. For me the characters from those days made the the whole scene. From lets say about 1998 till now there has been Casey Stoner, what a rider! and not a corperate puppet, Valentino Rossi, again what a rider and character, and Marco Simoncelli, bit like Kevin Schwantz in my opinion. In 50 years Niall you and the guys from your era will still be remembered and talked about. The guys from the last few years not so much I think.

[@dickfitzwelliner2807]

Yeah the current bikes are just like f1 cars. Insane technological machines, but the lack rawness. They seem soulless. Though they do take a different skill set and frame of mind when at the limit. I've always wondered how old racers in their prime would do on a new bike, and vise versa. I think the old guys would struggle with the bike having so much stability and grip. The new guys would have a problem with the powerband and feeling like they are on a rubber ball.

[@TrevorDennis100]

A great video Taylor, but it makes me feel old. My mates and I used to go to Brands Hatch and British GP at Silverstone in the days of Barry Sheener, Kenny Roberts, and Agostini, although I have seen Mick Doohan ride and marvelled at his power slides. Wow that was exciting stuff. I remember Sheene being pissed off at Kenny Robert's riding style as it slowed him mid corner, but I guess you have to adapt. We all used to get Motorcycle News every Wednesday, and I can remember some great stories like John Kocinski's OCD and how he upset his neighbours getting home from racing in the early morning, and dragging his carpets out to his front yard/garden to vacuum them. I'm 72 now and sold my last bike (Suzuki TL1000R) 20 years ago. Strangely that was because of doing track days at Cadwell Park, which gave me a false perspective on what were safe speeds on public roads, and knowing as a certainty that that bike was going to kill me. The excitement we all got from the speed and acceleration of those bikes was an experience we'll never forget. Goodness knows what it would be like to ride current 200BHP superbikes, but even now I'd still like to try one out.

[@Mambojambo157]

I rate Rainey as the greatest of them. Maybe Eddie Lawson as well. Lawson jumped on the Honda after Gardner and Doohan did nothing but complain about it, and won the championship. Says it all really. If Rainey didn’t have that accident, Doohan wouldn’t have won his 5. Though hey, they were all amazing riders and the best era hands down.

[@NikCan66]

Brilliant insight

[@F.O.GOnABike]

The 1986 Castrol 6h was the first road bike race I went to. I was 5 but because the company my dad worked for sponsored another local Wollongong rider we went. I will have to find the pic of me sitting on the bike you and Wayne rode that weekend with Wayne flanking me making sure I didnt fall off haha. Great content from one of the greatest riders to never win a GP. Good to see you still looking young and spritely Mr Mackenzie.

[@alrightdave6135]

Fascinating.

[@jkim6200]

Subscribed! Great perspective on a bygone era. I remember Suzuki RGV 500 being down on power, but Niall Mackenzie had a pretty good season riding on one.

[@derf9465]

Awesome hearing these stories.

[@tmac77]

I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them!

[@scozza7150]

Met you at WSB last year. 1989 at Donnington was my first GP, hooked ever since, I was a Schwantz fan and that Pepsi Suzuki looked immense, he took Rainey on the Marlborough Yamaha near the end and got the win. Gardner crashed out at McLeans, I think you took 5th on the Marlborough Yamaha. Earnshaws motorcycles in Huddersfield had a Marlborough Yamaha in around couple of years ago, told me they picked it up for a bargain price, might have been one of Raineys. Spent a lot of time looking at that, what a piece of engineering, 500 two stroke, carbon disks the lot ✊ Two stokes forever, smell the Castrol R 👍

[@sjohn499]

watched these guys as a kid. i still think they were the best :)

[@RogerBadgerDSFlyer]

Thanks for sharing. One legend talking about other legends. When do we get that?

[@TOMLINBISH]

Randy Mamola was absolutely incredible winning at a soaking wet Spa in 1986! 🙂

[@cramersclassics]

Well done! Great stories and photos. The music bursts annoying, but I managed to get the the finish line and subscribed for more.

[@colinwatson4123]

We’ve got to have more of Niall Mackenzie on KZbin!!!

[@RickyJr46]

This was fabulous, Niall!

[@Edison73100]

Amazing time. The best of the best.

[@claytonknight3078]

I think you were right about Kevin could have won more titles on a different bike. He should won the 89 title and just seemed to give it away to Eddie.But I also think you did a great job no matter what you rode. Yea you had Erv your first year, but it was your first year. How many people win in their first year. I personally think you could have won races and titles on the Rothmans Honda.You went good on every bike you raced, even the Suzuki and Christians Yamaha when he was hurt. So I think you were as good as most 500 riders.Look at Randy, so sad he never won a title.But you were right there with them guys. You are a great ambassador for the sport!!!

[@mosca3289]

Fantastic to hear.

[@ArthursMam]

This was the best era in my eyes. I never missed a GP race on telly. Grew up with all these guys as heroes.

[@rwinter1376]

Brilliant!!