1985We knew 1985 was going to be special because it was motorcycling’s centenary, coming 100 years after German teenager Paul Daimler made the first ever ride aboard a 264cc, wooden-framed single called Einspur (“One-track”) built by his dad

importer, so you'll have to order it directly from the factory. Merci.VERDICTNot cheap, but stylish with good all-round performance and even more Gallic charm than Asterix.Voxan Charade SpecsSPECS TYPE - STREETBIKE PRODUCTION DATE - 2006 PRICE NEW - £13,000

yellow paint and Termignoni cans. After a day aboard the SP I had a splitting headache, my ears were ringing and I was wondering how I could steal the necessary £11,500.

were quick, light and hideously expensive.DECENT PLONKNew Jap fours were led by Kawasaki’s ZX-10, which improved on the previous GPZ1000RX with an aluminium frame, plus an extra 16 horses that brought the claimed max to 137bhp. Suzuki’s uprated GSX-R750

BRITAIN BOUNCES BACKRiding the first ever bike from reborn Triumph’s Hinckley factory in 1991 was a mindblowing experience. In the company of Kawasaki’s ZZR1100, Suzuki’s GSX1100 and Yamaha’s FJ1200, the Triumph was far from outclassed.All six new

minor change to the steering head of the tubular steel trellis frame; suspension upgrades included a longer Marzocchi shock with compression damping adjustment for the first time. But it was the change from 16- to 17-inch wheels that made the most

? Meanwhile, most bikers carried on buying Jap fours.Hinckley HeroesThe first modular Triumph to hit the road was the Trophy 1200 sports-tourer, complete with full fairing and 125bhp four-pot motor. Testing one in company with Kawasaki’s awesome ZZ-R1100

builder who annoyed some int he industry, but delighted most riders, by launching Triumph’s most powerful bike yet. The Daytona 1200’s claimed 145bhp blew open the UK importers’ self-imposed 125bhp limit and made the Hinckley-built four one of the fastest