Seven-time Briggs Equipment North West 200 winner Richard Cooper admitted his first outing on a 1000cc machine since 2022 was a “shock to the system” after testing the SMS/Nicholl Oils BMW he will race next week.

The Nottingham rider has added the M1000RR Superstock machine to his line-up for the north coast meeting (May 6-9) in addition to the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha R9 and Suzuki GSX-8R he will ride in the Supersport and Supertwin/Sportbike classes respectively.

The 43-year-old is a former double British Superstock champion and clinched a sensational runner-up finish in the second Superstock race on his NW200 debut in 2019, riding a Buildbase Suzuki for Hawk Racing.

Cooper also rode Suzuki machinery in the 1000cc classes in 2022, when he finished as the runner-up in the feature Superbike race behind Glenn Irwin. He sealed a third place in the opening Superbike race four years ago and a podium in the Superstock class.

placeholder image — Nottingham's Richard Cooper is a seven-time winner at the Briggs Equipment North West 200. (Photo by Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press)

Cooper, who tested the Superstock-spec BMW normally raced by Ulsterman David Allingham in the National Superstock 1000 Championship, said he was “very, very happy” following a track day at Bishopscourt in Co Down and full-blown test at Kirkistown.

“Me and the team left Kirkistown very, very happy,” said Cooper.

“The biggest thing was adapting to the speed of the BMW having not ridden a 1000cc bike since 2022. It was a big shock to the system after racing the smaller bikes but I felt comfortable.

“The BMW is very fast and possibly better than most superbikes when it comes to electronics.”

Cooper intends to ride the machine in the Superbike class, although he concedes the Superstock races will be the team’s primary objective.

“Our package will be at its best in the Superstock races and that will be our main focus,” said Cooper. “But I want to put my focus on wherever I am competitive and if the weather changes or things go my way, I can maybe take advantage of the circumstances and go for it in the Superbike races as well.

“Let’s put our focus on where we can be competitive. I would love to win the big NW200 race but my main focus will be on the Superstock class.”

Carrickfergus man Alastair Seeley finished third in the blue riband Superbike race at last year’s North West riding the SMS/Nicholl Oils BMW.