the motor from a second-rate 600, bolted-on R1 brakes and stuck it all in a workmanlike chassis, wrapped in plastics of questionable aesthetic value.No matter how they went about it, the men from Iwata had turned base metals into gold: the Fazer was a

. Really easy to get it sliding making it difficult to get good drive off the turns. But then these are sports touring tyres designed to cope with all conditions on a heavier, less powerful bike. To be fair, when they move about it’s always predictable

. Strengths: 1. Has to be the engine and power but its so controllable. +2. Electronics package is amazing and you can turn off. +3. Balanced machine. +4. Excellent lights. +5. Fuel consumption for such a big bike. +6. Suspension, fully adjustable and bike

quickened. The massively grunty 1130cc engine, with bags of ground clearance and a stiff chassis would be a match for any sports bike along a twisty country road. Parked up, the bike looked so short and squat I was expecting it to drop sharply into turns

year Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha all updated their 600s. This year it was Suzuki’s turn. Considering they share so many components it isn’t too surprising that the 750 and 600 feel very similar to ride. Their chassis are virtually identical and, as only

hear rumour of a new model, I have absolutely no idea whether it’s going to have the fuel in the mudguard, or if the engine’s going to be mounted on the pillion seat.Buell are always striving to be radical, but - a bit like your mate who turns up to a

the throttle hard (it takes a big turn, in typical Ducati way) in first and the Ducati rockets forward as well as upwards while the exhaust provides a wonderful deep drone as backing soundtrack. The gearbox is precise, clutch heavy and the fuel injection

feel like a bit of a hero, though I was a bit nervous of turning it in on the brakes as hard as I normally would. While there seems to be quite a lot of grip, there’s not as much feel as the other sports tyres here. Mid-corner they’re pretty vague

of this exact bike of later to be laminated and worship not for performance and power but because of its curves, its aggressive styling and its ability to turn heads. 12 years later and today im sat upon one.O.K maybe I care a little more about the power

was swiftly proffered.Turns out it means "one person, plus one horse equals one unit." Aha, I thought, nodding sagely and writing it down. Then I read it back and realised I was still none the wiser. Damn. A few beers and a lot of chat with Yamaha's PR staff