Ben Cope

In standard form it’s a slower and more expensive version of the R, with the race kit it gets more interesting and with a load of investment in the engine could become an utter tool. A 600 for serious racers with deep pockets only

The Tornado is a very good bike that can hold its own against other Italian exotica both in looks and performance

The Kawasaki ZX-10R (2004) has an identity and rabid character all of its own. It’s raw, aggressive, has an awesome slipper clutch and faultless handling.

The SPR is distinctive, surefooted and most of all, blindingly quick. This black bullet deserves its very special place in the limelight

While the engine is flexible, strong and useful, the 2004 GSX-R600 K4 will appeal to a certain type of rider; one that likes to make engines scream, change gear at every corner and work the bike hard.

The extra 47cc transforms the Daytona from a good, but underpowered road bike to an excellent road bike that will flatter any rider on a race track. Triumph, finally, has put the finishing touch on it.

User friendly meets original raging bull in one super-smart package, the 2004 R1 makes you ride fast. Very fast.

I’d need some track time before deciding whether it’s a match for existing Japanese and Italian opposition. It’s up there scrapping with them, though.

The RS gets better the harder you ride it. It’s fairly horrible as a commuter, due to the heavy clutch and its inability to find neutral. But great fun on the track and it’s also fairly decent on the motorway

A proper Harley, with all that entails - chugging engine, clonking gears, lazy steering - and bags of character

The Wide Glide is something of an icon to the non-biker, but Harley itself does more useable models, such as the Fat Boy

Now, this is more like it - this is where Harleys become real Harleys

A big, thumping Harley in the grand old tradition, but the low price comes at the expense of finesse

Possibly the best (affordable) entry point into Harley ownership

It's a Harley, but shinier

Possibly even worth considering over and above the mighty Fat Boy, due to its lower weight and good performance (for a traditional Harley)

Decent looking, decent performing, decent all-round, without ever really being much more than that

Honda out-retros Harley, but irons out character in the process

Excellent price and good ride quality mostly out-weighed by cheap finish and lack of any real character. Bikes like this are as much about how they look and make you feel as how they are to ride

The first Harley for years which is actually very different, while still being a Harley. Confused? Don't be, it's a great-looking, superb bike

Delivers a mixed message – looks like a streetfighter, is in fact a boulevard cruiser. Soft core motorcycle for those that want heavy metal with manners

It’s a good bike, but Honda’s own Valkyrie is a better looker and performer, so is Harley-Davidson’s V-Rod

It really looks the part, but ultimately it fails to stir the soul as standard. Shame, ’cos those looks are ‘the real thang...’

Kawasaki has finally outdone Harley by going back to the cruiser roots and producing a gorgeous eye-catching machine with bags of torque, top build quality, performance and handling on a par with any rival