George McKenzie began making motorcycles in 1921 with the intention of producing cheap, light machines for the masses - much like Henry Ford in intention, if not application. In today’s edition from 1922, The Motor Cycle printed their road test of the 170cc two-stroke McKenzie Lightweight.
The machine was reported to be “simplicity itself” and “anyone with even the most elementary knowledge of motor cycles need not be afraid of being taken over by the machine.”
Real world conditions being what they were back then, the McKenzie was put to the test by the reviewer in “…thick traffic, from which it emerged with flying colours. With very little practice ‘traffic-dodging’ may be reduced to a fine art with a McKenzie, as was soon discovered. The ease of manipulation and eagerness of the engine enable one to wriggle through openings which would be impossible to a less lively machine.”
Being a lightweight device with a “cubical capacity” of just 170cc, top speed was limited. It was unlikely to be winning any sprints off the traffic lights (not just because there weren’t any).
“The speed on the level is not much above 20 m.p.h., but as the machine is so light and convenient to handle, any speed greater than this would tend to have evil effects on what can only be described as an excellent little frame.”
Even if the bike could turn a bit of speed, perhaps downhill with a fair tail-wind, it may not have been advisable. The Motor Cycle’s test rider “…took the opportunity of testing these brakes somewhat severely and were unable to find any fault with them.” However, stopping power came from a rim-brake at the front and a rear brake of the “back-pedalling type,” so expectations must have been set quite low. Suddenly, drum brakes sound highly desirable.
A significant purchase consideration with today’s motorcycles is the seat height, some of which preclude shorter riders, often the ladies, from reaching the ground. The McKenzie had this covered over a hundered years ago. “The advantage of the McKenzie is that the frame construction makes it suitable to be ridden with almost equal ease by either sex, whilst mechanical considerations need terrify nobody.”
A very positive review for the McKenzie, then. It was estimated that around 1,500 to 1,600 machines were on the road at that time however, the marque would be short-lived with production ending in 1925.
