Mark Hipkin’s Bike Review: “ZED” 650 STARFIGHTER

I was invited to ride the Kawasaki Z650 by M & S Motorcycles on Westgate Road in Newcastle. Often the middle-weight sector gets forgotten in the rush for off-road or dual-purpose bikes to go around the world or super-powerful naked roadsters. Fashions come and fashions go, but Kawasaki has had for a long time now the Z650 or a similar sports middle-weight bike in their line up. Indeed I can remember going to the opening of the brand new dealership at ‘Kawasaki World’ over in South Shields when I was 19 and had to cycle over as I couldn’t afford a bike then as a student. I had to hide my cycle around the corner and produce my helmet from my haversack to

blag a demo ride. It was the Z650 I tested! At that time it was a 4 cylinder engined baby brother to the renowned Z1.

Enough of my salad days. Gary pulled the bike out of the showroom and it had an alarmingly low 60 miles on the clock and was almost straight out of the box. Sparkling in the sunlight, I did like the styling. It looked stubby, purposeful, and surprisingly svelte in its multi-coloured paintwork and funky styling. Obviously not a commuter then! I thought it had a Starfighter look and the colours really set it off. I particularly liked the curvaceous “wiggly worm” exhaust pipes popping from behind the radiator, twisting and turning on themselves before going underneath and into a slash-cut offside silencer. The bike was in pearl blizzard white with black and yellow flashes and a fluorescent shouty green frame. Nice. The usual progress gingerly around the cobbled streets at the back of Westgate Road being very careful not to drop this brand new bike. Where to go? I thought a mix of town/dual carriageway and then some twisties out to mid-Northumberland might be in order. I chose the destination of Amble to visit one of its foodie eateries.

These types of bikes are very easy to pile the revs on as the rev counter seems to go on forever but the way the bike rode and the mileage displayed on the stunning TFT display, told me to back off. It constantly reminded me that I was using too many revs and at too high a speed and to change up NOW! I had to be careful not to overuse the bike in its infancy. This vehicle will fly after its first service.

No problems in town or on the motorway going north and it was excellent filtering through the heavy, almost post-lockdown traffic. The overall impression was of smoothness throughout the range. Turning off the A1, I decided on a set of B back roads to get me across Northumberland to Amble and to come back via the coastal route.

The bike sounded good and an aftermarket endcan would be even better. This bike, with its slightly aggressive sitting forward stance (which didn’t intrude), was extremely easy to flick from side to side. This bike could do more than its rider could give it to do! Usual excellent Kawasaki build quality and sadly I wasn’t able to howl that engine to hear the exhaust note but I am sure it will deliver. The short dimensions both in height and length of the bike mean that it is very easy to manoeuvre and also for around town and parking up.

I parked up right outside a new coffee shop I had spied on last month’s edition of North East Lifestyle. It was in a footnote to the local butcher’s advert in Amble. I parked up easily outside even though it was a busy Saturday. The manager Angela, who runs it with her husband chef on behalf of her family, was welcoming. I was just outside the times for lunch but I did have a cuppa and a cake on my mind. I plumped for the English Breakfast tea and the towering Victoria sponge cake. The place was a credit to its owners and managers, being squeaky clean and the cake and tea were excellent. It had opened in October 2019 and is called “1911 Coffee Co.” Coffees and teas are sourced from a particular coffee roasterie and all food sourced locally and home-cooked. So easy to park up outside – I could even see the bike from inside.

Satisfied, I decided to take the coastal route back and wound my way back onto the old Spine Road and then back to Newcastle. A great afternoon on the futuristically styled Z650. I am told by Gary that this is also an A2 adaptable bike and the TFT showed 73+ mpg! The bike now has a 650cc parallel-twin engine and, as Gary reminded me, three years 0% APR hire purchase – wow. Kawasaki (and the rest of us) have come a long way since that test ride of (I had to look it up) a KZ 650 back in the late ’70s. However, the legacy of an exciting, well-built and responsive handling bike endures. Is there such a thing as a bad bike nowadays? “Discuss”.

Mark Hipkin practises at Alderson Law LLP in sunny Whitley Bay (it is always sunny in Whitley Bay!), and is a Partner/Head of the Personal Injury and Civil Litigation department. He welcomes your e-mails or calls on the law (or your biking experiences) at wbay@ aldersonlaw.co.uk or call 0191 2533509.

Mary was born and has lived all her life in the North East of England. Her first interest was science and she originally studied Biomedical Science at Northumbria and worked in the scientific research field and the NHS, before studying part time, again at Northumbria University, to obtain her degree in Law. Since then she has enjoyed a varied career covering many different areas of law, before specialising in Children Law, which she has done almost exclusively for the past 5 years.

Mary loves reading and history and at a weekend can often be found at one of the many historical sites the North East has to offer and has even been known to play video games when she can find the time.

Chris was originally a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives from 1997 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2001.

He has over 25 years experience in private client work comprising Wills, Trusts, Probate, Powers of Attorney and other Court of Protection Work such as Deputyship applications. Chris has been a Partner in several firms in the North East, being Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate.

He brings a wealth of experience to his role and works closely with clients, providing them with a service tailored to their needs

Susan was born and bred in the North East, spending all of her working life in Blyth. She qualified in 1981 and, after some years at Alderson Law, began to specialise in family law, covering both private and legal aid. Susan was a member of the Law Society Family Panel and an accredited Resolution specialist, specialising particularly in private children law and domestic violence.

Susan took part-retirement in December 2018 but still works as a Solicitor here at Alderson Law. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, walking, reading, and spending time with her family. She has also been a Brownie leader for over 40 years.

Originally from East Yorkshire, Jasmine moved to the North East in 2012 to study at Northumbria University undertaking the M Law Exempting (BPTC) course (the only undergraduate course in England and Wales which incorporates the Bar Professional Training Course), graduating in 2016 with a First Class Honours and a Very Competent in the Bar Professional Training Course. Prior to joining Alderson Law Jasmine specialised in RTA Fraud in a Personal Injury firm, before moving to another firm to work as a Family Law Paralegal.

In 2018 she joined our team as a Family Law Paralegal and before qualifying as a Solicitor within the Family Law Department based at our Morpeth office. Jasmine represents clients in a wide range of matters including; divorce and matrimonial finance, disputes regarding the arrangements for children as well as parents who are subject to Local Authority involvement both before and during Court proceedings.

In her spare time Jasmine likes visiting the beach, going to the gym, watching live music and looking after her pet rabbit.

Julie is a highly experienced property solicitor. She studied Law at Northumbria University and, after qualifying in 2000, went on to work at national and international firms prior to joining the team at Alderson Law in 2017. She works alongside her clients, advising on residential and commercial property development, property investment, portfolio management, property finance, landlord and tenant, easements and restrictive covenants.

Fiona is a specialist private client lawyer providing advice and assistance with wills, trusts, tax planning, probate & estate administration, lasting powers of attorney, court of protection and elderly client work. Having previously worked with a number of Newcastle-based firms listed in The Legal 500, Fiona brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. She is a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), the association for specialists in family inheritance and succession planning.

Fiona grew up in Northern Ireland and studied law at Durham University, and has remained in the North East ever since. She enjoys spending time with her family at their cottage in Northumberland.

Mark Hipkin, partner at Alderson Law LLP, has been advising businesses and claimants since he qualified as a solicitor in 1982.

Mark’s passion is for representing claimants on two wheels in complex, serious and catastrophic motorcycle, scooter and cycle injuries, but he also has extensive experience of acting for claimants in many other personal injury areas including occupiers and public liability work and accidents at work. He specialises in challenging and complex cases. Mark always puts the client first, looking from the first day of instruction to obtain the best and fairest outcome for a claimant, no matter how long a case may take. He is a fan of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and early neutral valuation as alternatives to litigation. Sometimes, however, litigation is the best option, together with the necessary drive to see every matter through to a fair conclusion.

Mark also, having started his own business, advises business clients, often with motorcycle-, scooter- or cycle-related businesses and also deals with complex commercial disputes, professional negligence cases, and general civil litigation.

Mark likes to spend what free time he has with his family and practising Tai Chi and Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate – in which he is a second Dan).

Having worked in family law for over 25 years, Julie is a highly accomplished specialist in her field. She has a vast body of experience in dealing with family law, from divorce and related financial issues to complex child-related cases. Julie was the first person in North Tyneside to achieve the status of an accredited advanced family law specialist, and is a member of the Law Society Advanced Family Panel, which demonstrates her experience in complex contested family cases and other subject-specific matters.

Though multi-talented and highly experienced, Julie’s particular speciality is in complex ancillary relief (financial settlement) claims and complex residence and contact disputes.

In her spare time Julie enjoys relaxing and spending time with her family and three grandchildren. She attends clients at our Whitley Bay and Blyth offices.

Tracey is one of our Partners and qualified as a solicitor in 1997. Throughout her career she has had a varied caseload undertaking matters in most areas of civil and private client law. Tracey can assist clients in a wide range of matters including: Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney, Debt Recovery, Residential and Commercial Conveyancing as well as Licensing and Landlord and Tenant matters.

Tracey is one of our most senior practitioners with over 20 years of local experience, having graduated from both Newcastle University and Northumbria University. When not in the office she enjoys walking, cycling, and cooking with her family.