the current Japanese 1000s or 600s. Yes, it has a single-sided swingarm, but the front end is so similar to the Japanese with twin lights and air scoops - nowhere as unique as the 999. But is this similarity simply due to the Japanese having been influenced

There is an air of excitement combined with nervous tension around KTM’s factory in Mattighofen. Everyone is buzzing, like expectant parents waiting for their firstborn. The secret is out, the world knows what the Austrian firm has in store

sense.Good starter project bikes are the classic RDs, air or liquid cooled, old scooters such as Lambrettas or Vespas or how about an X7? They are all basic machines with simple motors and lots of specialists still selling bits as well as scrap yards

framed figure reads ‘AIR -2 °C.’ It’s not a welcoming sight, but neither is the silver car with blue lights that’s sitting behind me.Despite the early hour I seem to have managed to find the only police car in south London on patrol, and it’s following me

behind reception found me another room and all was well. That was one problem overcome. As I sat in one of Florence’s many open air cafés waiting for my pizza to arrive, sipping on a Nastro, I wondered what tribulations the next days would bring.I didn

-track could lead to the fuel in the carburettor float bowls swashing forward - leaving the jets sucking air - and so leaving the Firestorm running on one. We've never ridden a Firestorm that this has happened on, but plenty of owners will attest to it

The faint, but distinctive waft of rebellion is in the air. It's 8am, Niall, Daryll and myself are at James Whitham's house and outside looks cold. Very cold. The thought of the 250-mile ride from Huddersfield to Edinburgh on naked bikes is becoming

the front into the air in the first two gears.Last time I rode a Super Duke the fuel injection was all over the place, but it seems like KTM have nailed this bugbear down. This bike, which is a 2006 model, suffered no such problems. But because that motor

travel suspension on a supermoto can fire you into the air, but once again both the bike and myself escaped without serious injury.The instructor diagnosed that I was stamping on the rear brake rather than squeezing it. By locking the rear then dumping

basically made a 250 race rep with a sodding great air-cooled lump. The clever touches such as the oil in the swingarm and fuel in the frame, not to mention the rim-mounted disc, are great pub talking points and a Buell with a race can sounds like a squadron