, but shared the same razor-sharp chassis and screaming motor. Steering can get twitchy if ridden hard on bumpy roads but that's true of all early-Noughties sports bikes. Powerful (dynos show around 100bhp - 120 is a claimed crank figure) with a decent spread

't. The brakes worked well on the road, but care was needed not to lock the skinny front tyre and on track it was more of a challenge. But ultimately, the V-Rod isn't built for going around race tracks. Its sole purpose is to cruise up and down the Kings Roads

? The steering lock is rubbish so town work can be awkward and it's almost too fast and powerful for slow traffic, which is hard to forgive on an upright bike that looks so cool. Also the clutch is mega heavy, which only accentuates the bike's lack of town

, anti-lock brakes take the guesswork out of stopping in the wet, but some riders still prefer to work all that stuff out for themselves. Build quality is reassuring, although keeping a high-mileage VFR in showroom condition requires some effort

paddock as I tried to put a Kit Kat and a packet of cheese and onion crisps in my rucksack.All self inflicted, I hear you say, except maybe the falling over one, which was definitely due to this particular Bee Emm being the tallest road bike I've ever sat

was driving down the Spine Road in Denny in my Electricity Board Leyland Sherpa Van when Newsbeat came on Radio One just after Peter Powell's afternoon show.The top story was Barry Sheene had crashed at the French GP and may have a finger amputated. Being a

it or hate it, but don't make any decisions until you've ridden one, as it's unquestionably a special bike.It may have the size and shape of a behemoth but looks are deceiving as this bike has some of the best manners I've encountered on a road bike to date

and the adjustable screen (which works well, but isn't that different at any setting) you feel as though you can dominate the road in a big trailie style and stay dry at the same time.So you're comfy, but then you go for the indicators. I know it's been said many

Yamaha's target for the fifth generation R1 was simple - to put it back on top as the best superbike on the road. But equally as important was for it to be the best on the track. To achieve these targets a performance increase was necessary

with no enduro timing equipment, just an indicator and high beam warning lights, so no creature comforts there.The engine makes 40bhp at 10,500 rpm and while it would out accelerate most cars on the road it is never going to feel like a sportsbike. Having minimal