lane here at Portmão makes it feels like someone’s nicked the engine. BMW claim a dry weight of 190kgs and I wouldn’t dispute it, they’ve even managed to make that feel less than it is.The BMW bloke in the pre-ride press conference encouraged us to do

on pit lane here at Portmão makes it feels like someone’s nicked the engine. BMW claim a dry weight of 190kgs and I wouldn’t dispute it, they’ve even managed to make that feel less than it is.The BMW bloke in the pre-ride press conference encouraged us

and are nowadays concentrating much more on making their bikes user-friendly and safe to ride. Yamaha claim to have achieved this with their MotoGP-inspired cross-plane crank, where as Suzuki have gone done a more conventional route by chopping 5kg off the previous

to touch it at the NEC bike show, but no one could have anticipated the amazing riding experience Yamaha had in store.Manufacturers are always keen to tell us we are riding around on sports bikes full of technology developed from MotoGP racing. Sometimes we

to overhaul but at least they work well.Low depreciation is a bonus but most are well cared-for machines which justify high used prices. Pay £3500 or so for an '02-'03 machine with a loving previous owner and FSH and you'll be riding away on a super fast

first glimpse of this bike in the flesh, I was soon thinking more ‘sports’ than tourer’.  The design department have got this one bang on as the SX is pleasing on the eye from every angle, and I reckon, although it has to be in lime green, probably

'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

test route was a zigzag road over mountain passes - which were enjoyable enough - but the Tuono needed to be ridden hard to get the most from it. It didn't want to potter along like a big trailie since the tyres and suspension need to be worked hard

it will be a bit of fun to ride, and, as I’ll explain in a moment, it certainly doesn’t disappoint.At the front end, the dash, headlight and conventional 41mm front forks have a minimalist but functional look, which I actually prefer to the more expensive

satisfaction. Meanwhile, knowing this bike will do a genuine 98mph in first gear has always made me nervous when I get bored in 30mph zones. Just think, one mad moment pulling away from the lights and you could spend a few months slopping out