today. Today is a big day. I’m outside the pub that was my local in 1993 and I have the keys to the two most desirable bikes of that time.The Yamaha looks dated and unattractive, yet purposeful and menacing. It is adorned with the finest equipment money

built on Monday mornings. But both were also ruthlessly exclusive and to be seen on either one clobbered you serious kudos from the knowing sportsbike crowd.Today, these two bikes are as desirable as ever. The resurge of interest in modern classics

and engineering that has gone into this bike is special - its a pure sportsbike, uncompromising, fast, lean and light and is all the better for it. Just be careful not to explore its limits on the open road, keep that for track days. Mark Twineham: The first

you haven't got any midrange to fall back on, you really learn about shifting gear and using the power. SPECS  - APRILIATYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - £5499ENGINE CAPACITY - 249ccPOWER - 63.4bhp@10,159rpmTORQUE - 32.5lb.ft@9924rpm

, and it stopped me dead in my tracks and sucked me straight back to 1992.Sure it looked kinda old, but somehow it didn't look dated. The mute aggression and malevolence that scared me back then when I wondered what a bike like that would really be like to ride

bike to work on too. Weaknesses: Really Strong engine. One of the classic GSXR's!Loads of aftermarket stuff available and really easy to tune. Easy bike to work on too. Overall: Classic bike, takes commitment to ride fast. Looks are getting a bit dated

into its folds, when you sit on it. It’s nothing like the sportsbikes of its day and feels more like a sports tourer. Which probably played a large part in its lack of success, but is this necessarily a bad thing?Having sampled the TL1000R I’d say no. As a