Ben Cope

Perhaps because KTM are best known for producing some of the best off-road competition machines of recent times, when the RC8 arrived a year ago many people expected KTM’s first attempt at a pure sports bike to be filling half of every superstock race grid by the end of the 2008 season.

“Having seen both bikes in the flesh I tell you, you wouldn’t even look at the orange paint scheme once you have seen the white one. It’s stunning. But both bikes just ooze quality and style.

Although most power-hungry bike journalists would have you believe that motorcycling is all about top speed and how quickly you can get there, the rest of us know it’s more about isolated moments of pure fun when it all comes together through a given section of road. And in oh-so many ways, Kawasaki’s new Ninja 250R delivers just that.

The 2008 Fireblade CBR1000RR does everything it says on the tin, but lacks a wow factor.

When I’m asked what is the best race bike I’ve ever ridden, my answer is unquestionably the Honda RVF750. It had smooth power but was rapid, handled like a dream and was ultra stable into the bargain. The first time I rode one was practicing for the Suzuka 8 Hour in 1987 while I was contracted to HRC in 500 GPs.

World Superbikes was simply massive in this country in 1995. While GPs were dominated by Mick Doohan and turning into a predictable procession, WSB was tough, gnarly racing and incredible to watch.

If you can’t beat them, get the rules changed so you can then build a bike with all the bits you need to dominate the racetrack out of the box. Ducati’s 1098R is pure WSB homologation magic...

Niall Mackenzie puts Suzuki's 2008 GSX-R750 through a year of abuse. How will it hold up?

With the excitement surrounding the 1098, MV's 1000F4 has been somewhat forgotten. The launch of the latest 312R indicated we've been negligent. Perhaps grossly. A track focused beast of beauty, works on every level

James Whitham's review of the Ducati Monster 696. What's it like to live with?

Jon Urry is a lovely chap and he's quite tidy on a motorcycle y'know? He reviews this Street Triple for a year for your delectation

Naughty Johnny Cantlie pinches a Pan Euro from Honda for a quick review

With its first MotoGP title, not to mention the services of a fast Italian, Bridgestone is on a high

A sensible purchase, the ER-5 makes a solid buy at a good price when the head rules the heart

A great bike to live with day in, day out and manages to out-bat the Honda on all fronts. Hurrah for Blighty!

Jon Bentman reviews this fine Kawasaki motorcycle for your pleasure. Or so he told us.