Sports

The ZX-6R exploded onto the scene in 1995 and has been with us ever since. Bertie Simmonds explores the myriad of myths and litany of lies about the G and J models of the big K's popular middleweight blaster.

Japan's answer to the dominance of Ducati twins gave us the character-driven Firestorm that, while it never quite matched the Italian marque for desirability, makes an excellent alternative

I know I'm not as young as I was...

25 years in the making and Erik Buell finally makes the bike he always dreamed of: a liquid-cooled V-twin with plenty of poke and handling to die for. So has junking the Harley engines given Buell a new edge?

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. Is the 312R something special?

Yamaha won the supersport 600 sales war in 2006, and Honda is out for revenge. They think the all-new CBR600RR is the tool for the job, and Niall Mackenzie reckons they might be right.

After the hype comes the reality. And for lucky Niall that reality is served on the silver platter that is Kyalami circuit in South Africa. And the verdict? Oh my word, are you ready for this?

The 2007 R1 looks the goods but is it? Who better to say than Niall Mackenzie, ex-GP god turned mortal?

Two years on and the all-conquering CBR600RR gets its first major revamp. Has the best just got better? Crash test dummy Niall flies to Estoril to find out.

It's war in the battle for the hearts, minds and money of 17-year-old learner riders as Derbi launch an all-out assault with two new models. Daryll is called up to investigate.

A number of performance-enhancing tweaks make this year's R6 a faster and more exciting proposition. Riding tips from Valentino Rossi not included...

Ducati's flagship sportsbike gets a new look as well as a whole load more power for 2005. Jon Urry samples the delights of the new 999

Following its launch at a soggy Valencia, we try Ducati's beautiful 749R in the dry at Donington.

With company finances back on track and production delays a thing of the past (for now...), the long awaited F4 1000S is finally, eventually, here. At last...

Yamaha's project leader for the new R1 was a chap called Yoshikazu Koike, and his brief was just two words: "jinba atai." Confused?

And so to the 2002 ZX-9R, also tweaked for this year and feeling distinctly healthier for it. The motor feels the same, but the handling (once adjusted) is definitely better...

NOW WITH 36cc EXTRA FREE! If you can't beat 'em, cheat. Works for us and there's a decent chance it'll work for Kawasaki as they wheel out their new oversquare 636cc ZX-6R. Any good or dead horse flogged?

Look, children, here he comes. It's Tweedle Dee in the blue and silver Kushitani leathers on his dinky Fisher Price 'My First Ideal Sportsbike.'

By winning the World Superbike Championship in 2000 in its very first year of production, you could argue that Honda’s SP-1 doesn’t have much to prove. But race development waits for no man, and so for 2002 we’ve got the SP-2.

The 2002 Fireblade CBR954RR isn't just a face-lift. Beneath the fresh styling is a bigger, cleverer motor, updated suspension and brakes, new swingarm, a refined frame and lighter wheels and exhaust system.

Aprilia Mille Factory, Ducati 999 and Honda SP-2 hurtle across Europe in search of sun, speed, a track day at Imola and a big day out at Italy's largest rock festival. Groovy!

Expensive new but affordable now, Jon Urry has a second look at Triumph's sporting middleweight

Jim Bowen managed to completely spanner a ZX-10R the last time we put him on one. He has never been to the Qatar MotoGP circuit. So, who better to make a complete arse of himself...