Are you the sort that likes to be different and doesn't follow the pack. Want something that isn't necessarily the best but oozes character and stands out from the crowd?
BMW HP2 Sport
The essentials: 1,170cc, air-cooled, 8-valve boxer twin, 128bhp, 84ftlb, 178kg, 160mph
Why is it different: It's arguably BMW's first proper sportsbike. Only 150 were brought into the UK. Don't be fooled by the flat-twin engine, this isn't a tweaked R1200S. The HP2 Sport is what happens when BMW gave their technical boffins in the R&D department carte blanche and an open cheque book. Based on BMW's 24-Hour Endurance Racer; a higher compression ratio, forged pistons, a quickshifter and close ratio gearbox are just the start. The HP2 Sport is dripping with techno-porn; carbon fibre fairings, self-supporting seat unit, milled aluminium calipers and forged alloy wheels. It was the bike that paved the way for the S1000RR and is as exotic as a Brazilian lap-dancer sipping a Pisco Sour on a zebra-skin rug on the deck of your solar-powered catamaran.
Definitely buy one if: You're a speed junkie who can speak fluent latin.
Price: £14,495 new. From around £11,500 second hand.
Track T-800 CDI
The essentials: Three cylinder, 800cc turbo-charged diesel, 50bhp, 80ftlb, 214kg, 110mph
Why is it different: It's a diesel motorcycle and that, should just about be that. But it's not. The Track is Dutch-made, so that's another tick for your individual list. It's shaft-drive and uses a CVT, automatic gearbox - no clutch levers here. Track claim the T800 can deliver 140mpg. The only counter to that is the asking price.
Definitely buy one if: You'd rather put on another jumper than turn the heating on.
Price: £15,995
Brammo Empulse
The essentials: Permanent Magnet AC (PMAC) - Water Cooled, 270A, 47ftlb, 213kg, 100mph
Why is it different: It's an electric motorcycle, which means you're already different to 99.9% of other bikers, but you'll also be different to most other electric motorcycle owners too, as the Empulse is the first electric motorcycle to feature a water-cooled power train. The mechatronic propulsion unit has been designed to emulate the feeling and performance of a traditional internal combustion engine and it's not automatic either; it has a clutch and six gears. It'll cover 120 miles in the city or 56 miles flat-out before the battery needs charging and the juice costs around 1p per mile.
Definitely buy one if: You sort your rubbish into at least 5 different bins.
Price: £11,000 new
Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8v
The essentials: 1,151cc eight-valve v-twin, 100bhp, 80ftb, 214kg, 140mph
Why is it different: It's Guzzi's answer to the GS but really it's the GS for people who don't want a GS. The Stelvio comes in two flavours, the 1200 8v and the Stelvio NTX. The NTX is more of a GS rival, with wire wheels and the whole adventure look. The 1200 8v is actually closer to a Tiger 1050, with its off-roady looks but road rims. The Stelvio features build quality to rival the Germans but the Stelvio makes the GS - and most other bikes of this ilk - look about as exciting as a tax return. It isn't trying to be cutting edge, it just does what it does. It's got masses of old-school charm and you can't buy that in a BMW showroom.
Definitely buy one if: Your CD collection contains: Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai, St. Germain and Erykah Badu.
Price: £10,549 new. From £9,000 second hand.
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