Ben Cope

De-tuned FJ motor could do with more horses to haul its heavy arse along

Mighty strong engine not matched by the lack of brakes, suspension, technology..

Bizarre looking Philippe Starck concept bike with Pegaso engine

Passable performance offroad, but the Senda R is more aimed at young riders on a restricted license than competition

If you can stomach the Mr Blobby looks, this is the affordable way to buy 750 power in a fairing.

Recently relegated from the cutting edge by newer, sharper sports middleweights, the Ninja 600 is a genuine allrounder with some edge

Big Divvie is like a labrador on the road. Friendly and likeable. Excellent shaft drive

900SS powered street-fighter struggled with lack of ground clearance and performance

Liquid-cooled 90° vee-twin screamer. GP racer for the road

Superb handling middleweight sports bike fitted with heaps of trick bits

Anonymous but sturdy workhorse with one half of an old GPZ1000RX motor

Much more flexible than the Italian 125s in restricted form and cheaper, too

Fruity handling, peach of a motor and banana in colour

Fully faired air cooled twin with limited performance

Early supermoto 125 handles well enough, but corrodes quickly

If Ducati made learner legal bikes...

Can't live with the GSXR750 or FireBlade on the road. Needs to be worked hard

Superb supermoto looks powered by single cylinder 2-stroke motor. Oh to be 17 again

Fully-faired screaming 2-stroke looks the part, but not as trick as its Italian competitors

If you want something to get you from A to B, this will do the job. Excitement? No

Lightweight sports-tourer powered by grunty triple motor