’m not actually convinced that they would break traction, so I checked with Niall Mackenzie, and he agreed it was unlikely as well. But in a lot of ways that’s almost the point of it. Even if I knew for a fact that the grip was there, I’m not convinced I would

AS IT'S CHRISTMAS time you've perhaps had to face that snap decision when someone passes a tin of chocolates around the office. It's a tough call. Not wishing to hold up proceedings by spending ages checking what's what, you have to take a pot shot

-valve engine is solid and reliable and most dealers we spoke to found it hard to pick faults with a second-hand Multistrada. The usual instance of a full service history applies, but other than that just check the brakes for any signs of sticking and look over

of beer, large ladies exposing their breasts to the baying crowds and bikes being ridden at a terrifying pace on the public roads.I remember a few of the grimmer parts, the local news reporting two racers being killed in morning practice, seeing crashed

to green. Only when the last of the green lights is out will the bike run properly, that’s when the onboard diagnostic systems have run their checks and decided that the engine is up to temperature and ready for the off. Although you can still pull away, up

artics bearing down on you, one on each side of the road. At first it's terrifying but after a while it becomes normal. By the time I reached the Belarus border I was knackered. The guard took down some details, checked my passport and the bike

. There were some bikes without fairings, but these were either middle of the road commuters or outdated and heavy retro bikes. All were a far cry from the glorious Monster. Next to the light and sharp steering Ducati, bikes such as Honda’s insipid CB1000

into bite-sized sections, a blessing on an unfaired bike. "That seat is so hard on the Triumph," reckoned Alex, "I've done 500km off-road in a day on the Dakar, so my arse is virtually made of leather, but this hurts!"Continue the Naked Road Test - 2/3

. Not so to Big K apparently, because it has even left the bloody Suzuki sticker on the frame. Next time you see a KLV, check out the frame number plaque - it has "Suzuki Motor Corporation" stamped on it!So what's different? Kawasaki has taken the V

They say: "Widening the horizons of all those who are sports motorcyclists" DucatiWe say: "It's the heavy clutch that has made my wrist limp, don't get any funny ideas about widening my horizons!" Jon UrryDucati's Multistrada has always had a