Ireland’s Lee Johnston will be aiming big at the 2015 Vauxhall International North West 200 on an all new line-up of BMW and Triumph powered machinery.

The diminutive Fermanagh racer has joined the exodus to BMW for this year, lining up at Portrush on May 12-16 on a S1000RR in the Superbike and Superstock races.

The 25-year-old will also ride a 675cc Triumph under the banner of new title sponsor Burdens in the Supersport events. But the winner of both Supertwins races at last year’s North West will not be riding in the smaller class this season.

“I have sold the bike I rode last year and I want to concentrate on the bigger bikes this year so I won’t be racing in the twins races,” Johnston explained.

“When you have too many bikes you can’t have that focus and I really want to try to win a 600cc or big bike race this year at the North West.”

Johnston, who has scored Superstock and Supersport podium finishes at the North West, says he wants to build on the good form that he showed on the superbike at the Ulster Grand Prix and Macau at the end of the last season.

“I had good runs at the Ulster and in Macau in 2014 so maybe I’ve proved I can ride a big bike now. I want to carry that on at the North West but it is going to be tough for a small team like us against the factory boys.”

Johnston’s preparations for the new season begin next week with tests at Almeria and Guadix in Spain.