this the 2009 Isle of Man TT will have come and gone and, with it, the first laps on electric bikes. Although their paws must struggle with twistgrips, I’m toldpolar bears and endangered penguins like these silent machines but I’m not sure I’ll ever be a fan

gravel traps.  For the few corners I did try this technique it really did show up the engine's super-tractable, electric motor-like torque delivery and flexibility.   It's really easy to flick from one  bank angle to another ­ handy at this circuit

lies second in the championship.  He also took victory on the Gixer in the only race run at the North West 200 last month and was looking like the runaway winner last Sunday at Thruxton until electrical gremlins struck after opening up a seven second

understands the bikes. Even then, rocker arms can fail and replacement is costly. Cam belts need replacing strictly to schedule. The electrics too have been known to cause a fair bit of trouble - cutting out when it rains, rectifiers failing when it doesn

-tractable, electric motor-like torque delivery and flexibility. It reminded me of a big twist-and-go scooter the way you can just roll off the power and roll it back on again. It also makes you realise how smooth and refined the whole transmission is.The sensation

're going to cut your teeth on one of these.With bang up-to-date styling, a low seat height and weighing just 124kg, the CBR125R appeals to the learner masses. The 125cc, single-cylinder engine has an electric start, so you don't have to do a balancing act

be able to continue fine.There are more minor niggles though - plastic fuel line connectors break (Aprilia do a metal replacement), the brown electrical blocks melt (replace or cut them out all together), charging can be slow (a wiring mod solves this

and unbolt some electrical components in order to get a better look at the guts of the 2011 M1. Everything was in order of course but what a great opportunity for the scrutineers to exercise their power and have a poke around the most high tech Yamaha

was the impressive new Blusens hospitality unit. Never cheap items to purchase or service it says to me the Spanish Consumer Electrical concern must be thriving in the current economic climate. Unfortunately that is something that can’t be said for race fans

will really enjoy it. Rob Mac, who was sort of a generation ahead of me on the GP trail, said to me just before I came back, "Niall, you will really love it." I didn't really understand until I got back, but he was right. So Jeremy has a lot to look forward to