for the launch of Bridgestone's new BT-012ss tyres. For this event the ever-hospitable Bridgestone boys had laid on the Almeria circuit and a brace of the finest 600-1,000cc superbikes for us to play with and - even better - they'd slotted the whole deal into a

at 100-110mph is realistic.The switchgear on the R1150R, like it does on every BMW, takes some getting used to. I'm used to it, now, but still have to think about it sometimes by which time it's too late for whatever indicator I wanted (or didn't). Not so

Paul soon put it right, and did the 6,000 mile service. At the same time I fitted new tyres. I plumped for the latest Metzeler Sportec M1's, available from CPK at £296.10 per set (01788) 540606, after talking to Cobby who recently tested them in France

the rumour goes. Harry H Corbett from Steptoe & Son is in it too. 6/10.10.30 Faster. Bloody hell, this is awesome. Filmed behind the MotoGP scenes during the 2001/2002 seasons, and featuring candid interviews with Rossi, Roberts, Schwantz, Doohan, Checa

either.. The bike's styling came in for so much stick when it was unveiled in 1994 that it was taken back to the drawing board and re-designed twice over the next four years. But ugly is as ugly does and when it was unveiled again in 1996 and 1998

The sun burns brightly, scorching us with a UV intensity you only get at 12,000 feet above sea level. Towering granite mountains mix in the middle distance with stark, snow-capped Himalayan peaks.As the cameraman sets up his equipment, four of us

slithering head-first into it at 12,000rpm. As such, there really is only one bike. Honda's all-conquering GL1500 GoldWing has become the GL1800 GoldWing for 2001, and in doing so has re-affirmed itself as the ultimate Super-Tourer tool. Four-speaker CD

is an extremely good reason to go. The plan was to get to the Shetlands, get jacked-up on Red Bull and do a photo-shoot all night from 12am to 8am the next morning.Buoyed by notions of midnight sun and burning dawns, the whole thing was foolproof until Britain

, I opted for the feisty ZX-10R and brutal GSX-R1000 as either would prize a bogus tyre from the asphalt within a split second, with potentially hilarious consequences. Neither managed it, though both could induce a gentle slide with a fairly keen

jacket. That combination means that it can be -5 degrees and pouring with rain whilst the inside of my trousers are hotter than Hades itself.  You can read reviews on that kit here: W2 Dirt Adventure boots, exo2 heated jacket, Held jacket and trousers Her