All of 2011's first ride reviews

Aprilia

Aprilia RS4 125
With Aprilia belonging to the same group as Derbi, there are some similarities with the Derbi GPR 125 bike. The Aprilia’s engine does features a larger piston though that gives the engine a deeper sound whilst the riding position is also lower.
Aprilia RS4 125 first ride review
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BMW

BMW R1200GS Adventure
The eight-valve flat-twin makes fat, accessible power from way-down low but its sweet spot is around 5,000rpm – around 90 in top gear.
BMW R1200GS Adventure review
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Ducati

Ducati 848 EVO
10 years ago you probably wouldn't have thought about stepping off a Hornet 600 and onto a 916 but the 848 seems like a logical step, what with its 'baby superbike image' firmly intact. Now, for 2011, Ducati have eked out more horsepower from the 848 and called it the 848 EVO.
Ducati 848 EVO first ride review
Ducati 848 EVO time-lapse video
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Ducati Diavel Carbon
We’ve entered an era where the technology available has made bikes like the Diavel possible. Although it has the silhouette of a cruiser, it smashes the cruiser mould due to it using a 160bhp engine from the 1198 superbike, with a few changes.
Ducati Diavel Carbon first ride review
Ducati Diavel Carbon 0-60+ video
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Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
Compared to the basic twin-carb set-up of the original 900 Monster in 1993, the 1100 Evo’s engine management system is on a different planet. There are three ECUs on board, one to control the fuelling and ignition maps, one for the ABS system and one for the traction control.
Ducati Monster 1100 EVO first ride review
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Ducati Streetfighter 848
Visually, it's almost identical to its bigger brother but look closely and you'll see the Streetfighter 848's got new wheels - which run a new profile 180/60 rear - and it ditches the Brembo monobloc calipers from the 848 EVO and uses the same radial-Brembos as the original 848.
Ducati Streetfighter 848 road test review
Ducati Streetfighter 848 track test review
Ducati Streetfighter onboard video
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Honda

Honda CBR250R
Honda are making a rapid transition to ABS and all of their entry-level bikes are being supplied with front ABS. Our test-model 250 had Honda's combined ABS which on a bike like this is a fantastic addition
Honda CBR250R first ride review
Honda CBR250R top speed run
Commuting on a CBR250R
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Honda CBR600F
The outright success of every CBR600F model to date has been down to the fact the bikes are easy to get on with, capable, versatile and value for money. They strike a chord with those of us who want performance, comfort and looks without looking to shave 0.3 seconds off their time to the greasy bacon sandwich stop on a Sunday morning.
Honda CBR600F first ride review
Honda CBR600F 0-100mph-0 video
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Honda Crossrunner VFR800X
There's more trail and more wheelbase than the stock VFR800 which means more high speed stability. At low speeds the tiller-like handlebars means that you don't notice this supposed decrease in flickability.
Honda Crossruner VFR800X first ride review
Honda Crossrunner VFR800X mountain pass video
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Honda Fireblade
The 2012 Fireblade improvements might be hard to quantify (and justify) with just sixty minutes on track but sat on pit lane, in the dying embers of a late November warming Algarve sun, the best bit about the new Blade is pretty bloody obvious. It looks gorgeous in the flesh.
Honda Fireblade first track impressions
Honda Fireblade first ride review
Honda Fireblade onboard lap video
Interview: Mr Fukunaga, Fireblade project leader
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Honda NC700X
The NC700X is an adventure-styled ‘fun crossover.’ What does that mean, you quite rightly ask? Well, it’s exactly the same bike as the NC700S and the recently launched Integra but with different clothes/handlebars. Honda call this base bike their ‘Mid Platform’.
Honda NC700X first ride review
Automatic: How Honda's future will affect you
Interview: Masanori Aoki, project leader

Husqvarna

Husqvarna Nuda 900
It's a fun bike with a fantastic engine and some really high quality chssis parts and components. The engine is a real peach and the bike is superb fun to chuck around tight, twisty roads. It'll be fun in town, too.
Husqvarna Nuda 900 first ride review

Husqvarna Nuda 900R
The R runs different mapping to the standard Nuda and a tooth off the gearbox sprocket for livlier acceleration. It's certainly keen to wheelie out of the second gear hairpins.
Husqvarna Nuda 900R first ride review
Husqvarna Nuda 900R onboard video
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Husqvarna SMR630
Squeezing my way into the mix of London's traffic, the first thing you notice is how good it is to be sat up high and not only be able to spot gaps but also to be able to make the most of them.
Husqvarna SMR630 first ride review
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Kawasaki

Kawasaki ER-6n
It's got revised styling, a completely new double-pipe frame and swinging arm, the downpipes are slightly longer, helping the engine produce a better spread of torque, the bars are 20mm wider and it's also got a slimmer chassis and seat which should help shorter riders get their feet down.
Kawasaki ER-6n first ride review
Kawasaki ER-6n official accessories
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Kawasaki Versys 1000
The Z1000’s motor has been morphed into a real workhorse, you can block change straight to 6th at 20mph and roll-on without the engine feeling like it’s about to shake itself to bits. The seat feels as comfortable as Kawasaki’s flagship tourer, the GTR1400.
Kawasaki Versys 1000 first ride review
Kawasaki Versys 1000 short video
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KTM

KTM 125 Duke
The revs were always giddy, the throttle cable always fully tensioned, the red over-rev light always on. The fact that there were no bent valves, no rooted clutches or gearboxes and not a drop of oil or coolant on the track is testament to the unburstability of its smooth, refined little engine.
KTM 125 Duke first ride review
KTM 125 Duke onboard video
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Kymco

Kymco Downtown 300i
On a long run of lights through London, I came up against an SV650, who despite a fist full of revs and a handful of clutch could only just pip the Downtown to 40. All I had to do was wind open the throttle. Easy.
Kymco Downtown 300i first ride review
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Moto Guzzi

Moto Guzzi Norge GT 8V
With the Norge a popluar choice for Police forces in cities such as Berlin and Milan, the model has obviously covered a fair few miles with some of them at a brisk pace.
Moto Guzzi Norge GT 8V first ride review

Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8V and Stelvio NTX
Although clearly aimed at the adventure and GS market, Moto Guzzi know that Stelvio customers may be dreaming of riding across Africa but in reality will use the Stelvio on tarmac and as a tourer. The bike has been setup to offer optimum performance on the road, whilst having off-road capabilities.
Moto Guzzi Stelvio (1200 8V and NTX) first ride review
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Rieju

Rieju RS3 125LC
The Spanish Rieju manufacturer might be a new name to us here in Blighty but the company has some serious, deep-rooted history. They've been making two-wheelers non-stop since 1947 and were formed just before the Spanish civil war in 1934 where, like Sochiro Honda, they started by making bicycle parts.
Rieju RS3 125LC first ride review
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Triumph

Triumph Daytona 675R
The standard Daytona 675 is an agile bike to ride on track and the R version retains all its sweet handling and glorious drive from the triple motor, but adds in a whole new dimension of sporting potential.
Triumph Daytona first ride review
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Victory

Victory Cross Country
The Cross Country has cruise control and using it has to be one of the most anti-instinctive feelings I have ever experienced. Get up to speed, turn it on and press enter when at the desired speed.
Victory Cross Country first ride review
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Yamaha

Yamaha YZF-R1
There's no doubt the sound of the R1 makes it feel like it's got more torque than its traditional four-cylinder rivals. On the dyno, there's almost nothing to separate any of the Japanese litre-class sportsbikes but the way the R1 delivers its power makes it feel extra-punchy.
Yamaha YZF-R1 first UK ride
Yamaha YZF-R1 traction control video