the same as other bikes I’d ridden, although the biggest change was that unlike other four bangers, the 2009 Yamaha R1 didn’t change pitch when you rode through each gear and each gear seemed to go on forever. It’s hardly surprising that they put a digital

’t even get me started on the whole fuel injection v carbs debate.And so it was I approached Yamaha’s new FJR1300AS with its electronic gear change and auto clutch with an open mind.But before we deal with that we should consider the revised FJRs as a

it to someone who knows what they are doing.It's cheap to run, bearings and running gear are cheap as chips Weaknesses: It's light and makes me giggle every time I ride it. Like it so much I have just got a second one. Responds well to tuning if you send

. Handles well. Quick enough for middle aged man! Overall: Top bike for riding, not fiddling The Cogg: An ideal first big bike. Builds confidence,stable, looks cool and will move if you push it above 3000rpm. Strengths: Forgiving in every gear if you miss

In short:Alloy Deltabox chassis, EXUP exhaust system, Yamaha racing colours - mint Pros:Alloy Deltabox chassis, EXUP exhaust system, Yamaha racing colours - mint Cons:Alloy Deltabox chassis, EXUP exhaust system, Yamaha racing colours - mint Top

I like is it will happily sit in 6th gear cruising at 30mph and when you need to overtake there is no need to downshift. It pulls from 30-90 rather quickly indeed :) Looks wise, personally I like it, the fairings looks ok, and the little underslung

, such as Honda’s CB1300 and Kawasaki’s ZRX1200, handle better. But on the other side the Yamaha has a classic, and very retro, air/oil cooled motor and the new for 2005 ‘AC Cobra’ stripe paint looks great. Bike spec: Length (mm)2175Width (mm)775Height (mm)1115

few others over the last few years), Yamaha has made some changes to the airbox and lowered the gearing to make the MT-03 easier to ride in the city. What this boils down to is that the MT isn't the fastest tool out there. I'd say a top speed of 100mph

. On the long start/finish straight, the R6 rips through to fifth and it's showing around 150mph before I stick it in sixth, and then the acceleration seems to stop. It feels like Yamaha has treated the sixth gear as a road-focused motorway overdrive gear

,engine will last for ever,cannot flog the thing,with two up and all the kitchen sink on ,away touring nothing bother's it,slip it into top gear and away she go's,the grunt is absolutely fantastic. Weaknesses: You can work on the bike without stripping ton