Ben Cope

If you want Harley cool, combined with the ability to tour on a retro steed, it's the Road King Classic you're after

1552cc of all-American, no waitaminute, all-Japanese Iron Horse that may actually have the measure of the house of Harley

Something of a tart's handbag, the Drag Stars are enduringly popular, if shall we say, a little like Milletts: camp.

This Harley rides a hell of a lot better than it looks and is very comfortable for long stints

Good enough without being great, the XR tries to be all things (dirt) to all people - and doesn't do a bad job of it!

If you have an interest in trail riding and want a do it all commuter try the DR-Z

Cagiva’s Navigator is a bit of an unsung hero. A 1000cc, monster trailie-styled on/off-road supermoto-on-steroids, the Navvy is well worth seeking out if you fancy a break from the norm

Although it looks the part, it’s best ridden on the roads or firmer tracks. The image of the double-hard rally rider appeals, in a package that makes riding round town and country lanes a cinch

The favoured stunter of old gains an edge of practicality with its weather protection

A sensible middleweight bike for those who don't have pretensions to tearing around Cadwell in record time

Cheap is all very well, but quality counts for a lot

Cheap transport

Slight re-vamp for the V11, with better fuel-injection, wider rubber and a better quality finish. If you want something different, it’s worth a look

It’s a reliable, good looking workhorse that is comfortable and does the job but it does lack that extra spark to really get the juices flowing

The SV1000 is like an SV650, but on steroids. Like your best friend it’s solid, reliable and fun to be with. If you are after a naked bike it’s very competent but it does lack the ‘kick-in-the pants’ elements of the TL

The Z750 is another solid Kawasaki. A screen will improve its motorway ability but it looks good, goes well and is a lot of fun to ride

The CBF600 provides a basic thrill with no scope to grow beyond a certain level. But then, it seems not everyone wants to even reach that level

In a country where speed cameras will soon outnumber road users, the days of 186mph supersports bikes may be numbered. Naked sit-up-and-beg bikes could be the future and this one may lead the way...

Excellent supermoto fun at a restricted rate

Now you can get all the practicality of the XT660X, with all the good looks of a supermoto plus an extra dose of handling and braking thrown into the bargain, and the price isn’t bad either

For anyone who lives at the end of a long, winding road. For anyone who wants the classic bike look, feel and sound without having to be a life-long member of the RAC. Triumph’s Thruxton is nostalgia in a bottle...

Take a Stone model, add panniers and a screen. Job done. Still a lazy day cruiser from Guzzi, still cheap

Take the stunning MV Agusta and make it more. More of everything, this is a gorgeous motorcycle

For a sensible and stylish learner machine, take a long hard look at the smallest CBR