if not mind blowing performance but certainly enough for a new rider.Comfort wise the supermoto-esque riding position brings with it low pegs and a comfortable stretch to the bars. Okay, the seat is a bit on the hard side and the screen doesn't do a very good

, they unveiled a 1000cc version of the Fazer, a bigger bike that 600 riders could progress to. The next step in their riding career had arrived and it retained all the features that made the Fazer so popular, but with an R1 motor. However the Fazer 1000’s

no one cared about such things – the FireBlade was unveiled and a new performance benchmark was established.Now, 17 years on, the great thing about riding a 1992 FireBlade is that it doesn’t feel dated. A good one can quite happily cut it with current

August 2004Urry takes the Blade for a romantic weekend in Le Mans before a rough thrashing at Oulton ParkRunning a bike in. What's it all about then? Well if you read the feature somewhere about the process it will, I'm sure, explain all the various

There are some lessons in life that you learn the hard way. Accidentally urinating on an electric fence is one of them, drinking too much cheap cider is another and trying to out-brake Niall Mackenzie is one that I learnt while riding Ducati's 749R

brand new bike with ABS, a half fairing, a motor with tons of stomp and a chassis and riding position as suited to touring as to everyday commuting. Sounds like a deal, doesn't it? Well yes, on the face of it, but what about the competition? Well

but the new model manages to improve in all aspects. The engine is stunning, handling very good and annoying quirks such as the low screen ironed out. The only question mark for me hangs over the brakes, but I'm fairly confident that for road riding

. The first thing you spot is the lack of clutter, from the Honda's myriad buttons to the BMW's space saving German efficiency. If it isn't needed, BMW doesn't put it there.Although the riding position initially feels alien compared to the Wing - more sit 'on

is not to change too many things at one time, and always make notes as you go. Ideally change only one thing at a time, then ride the bike along a familiar stretch of road to see if it has been made better or worse. Only then should you try altering something else

as the £24k V-twin and apparently a ‘MotoGP rep for the road’. Taken directly from the MotoGP bike, the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) allows you to unleash the 1098R’s full 180bhp and 99ft.lbs in (relative) safety – and you had better hang on tight