Here is some history about Crooks Motorcycle shop
Crooks
Suzuki is a family business established in December 1959, by ex road
racer Eddie Crooks.
Eddie won the Senior Manx Grand Prix in 1959 on a 500cc Manx Norton.
He also rode works MZ's in the 1960 TT (but retired due to machine faliure
in the 125 & 250 race). Eddie starded as a trials and scrambles
rider in the Isle of Man, were he lived during his teens and early 20's.
He won 3 gold medals in the ISDT's in the 50's riding british bikes.
Originally
known as Eddie Crooks Motorcycles we were agents for many makes including
TRIUMPH and GREEVES.
In 1963 we were one of the first SUZUKI dealers in Britain and Eddie
built up a reputation for turning standard Suzuki road Bikes into race
winning machines.
After
all these years we are possibly one of the oldest Suzuki dealers in
the world !!
We are still selling new Suzuki motorcycles and parts as well as looking
after customers with Vintage Suzuki’s from the 60’s and 70's.
Crooks
Suzuki riders have won many of road racing’s premier trophies including
the TT, Manx Grand Prix and British Championships. We've had 2 TT wins
in 1970 & 1972, plus Manx Grand Prix wins in 1968 & 1976.
Amongst our riders have been BARRY SHEENE, PHIL READ, FRANK PERRIS,
FRANK WHITEWAY, STAN WOODS, LES TROTTER,CHARLIE WILLIAMS, MALCOLM UPHILL,
STUART GRAHAM and TONY RUTTER.
Now the company is run by Martin Crooks (son of Eddie), Martin has been involved with bikes since he was born, his first bike was an Automatic Italjet in 1970. Progressing through to various geared Suzuki's, K10 (80cc), TS90 and made his scrambling debut on a TS100 in 1974. With many succeses at local schoolboy meetings during the mid 70's on TM100L, RM125M, RM125B then into adult racing in 1978 on an RM250A and RM250C2. When Suzuki brought out the PE175C in 1978, Martin got one and used it every week in the Lake District and did a few enduros in the North of England in 1979. He then went back to Motocross until moving to Road Racing in 1983 on a Yamaha TZ250 then a Suzuki RG500 and moved onto RG250's, GSXR750H and RGV250 during the late 80's, mainly competing in the Manx Grand Prix. In 1990 he moved to Classic Racing on a 1967 Suzuki T20 and in 1992 had his best finish with a 6th place in the Classic Lightweight Manx Grand Prix. Since 1994 Martin has been busy with Business and Family comitments and gets out at the odd twin shock motocross meeting on a 1977 RM250 and uses a PE175Z for trail riding when he has time. Since 1977 Martin has also been into road bikes, starting of with an A50P sports moded when he was 16. He's had various Suzuki'rosd bikes over the years, TS125, GT380, GS425, GSX400, GT750, T500, SG350 (goose) & GSF1200 (bandit). His current road bike is a 1975 GT750M, but with being a Suzuki road bike dealer always makes sure he can use a demo bike when he can. His favorite at the moment is the Suzuki SV650S.
Our
employee's all are into bikes:
Sales Manager, Keith Sharp has an imaculate 1988 GSXR1100J at the moment
that he has had from new, but he is tempted by the new GSXR1000 that's
coming out in 2001. Keith did have a PE175Z for a few years but only
really used it on the road !
Parts Manager, Mike Fidler has a Norton Comando at the moment. He used
to have a PE400 for a few years that he used through the Lake District
for trail riding. Service Manager, Tony Gallagher has just got a 1990
GSXR1100L "Streetfighter" and also has a PE250X that he restored
and uses for trail riding.
Crooks
Suzuki today are still heavily involved in all aspects of motorcycling
from our base in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK.
We have one of the most comprehensive ranges of motorcycle Helmets and
Clothing in the North West of England, where helpful and practical advice
is always given in a cheerful and friendly environment. We are long
established mail order parts specialists with customers World Wide.
