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Yamaha says: If you're looking for a smooth and efficient way to get about town, few other modes of transport come close to matching the performance of the Cygnus X.

Harley’s best-selling entry-level bikes have been improved all round, gaining stronger engines, some performance and user/dealer-friendliness without losing their Harley-ness

Close, but no biscuit. A good bike, but a better buy second hand at a good price

Very easy to ride and very unthreatening in her power delivery but as capable of picking up her skirts and tearing into the distance when she feels like it as she is of getting you and your chick on hols

Full-on desert racing looks. Capable of town commuting and huge European trips

Questionable styling and a lack of performance means you should go straight past this and onto the R1200

A do anything bike in the classic Honda mould. Handles, goes, stops. Top fun

Honda's evergreen tourer remains as capable as ever and is surprisingly nimble at the other end of a relaxed ride hundreds of miles long

A capable bike. And that's the most exciting thing about it!

600cc sportsbike in the CBR mould. Only a dodgy clutch lets it down

Europe's second best-selling 750cc to 1000cc bike from 1991-2001. Says it all really.

While it's hard to justify this much money for what is a reasonably basic tourer, it is a good blend of Harley cool and tourability

Slick styling, a strong motor and chassis tweaks put the ZX-6R right back up there. Big bore motor may be cheating, but who cares when it's this much fun?

With minor niggles addressed, the new CBR is a sound improvement on an already stunning package. More success beckons

The current 999R costs £19,995, and this version will cost more. But this is an even more powerful and polished example of what’s already the best road-going Ducati

The R1100S Boxer Cup Replika is a really individual, fun to ride sports bike that oozes quality and comes with a ton of presence

I’ve ridden every new 2004 bike and the 749R is the one I really want to ride again. I’d love to own one; it looks ace, handles great, has a mint motor and is good off track, too. I’d take a 749R over any 999 anytime

We have the real deal from Britain to match the Japs with the Daytona. Going racing for the first time in three decades has underlined the confidence Triumph has in its 600.

Almost as good as a 999S while being about two grand cheaper, better looking and without getting caught in the crack of my arse

Terrific grunt from a celebrated engine in a less sporty frame than may be familiar

The GT is very comfortable in a straight line, comes with colour-coded panniers as standard and is solid at speed. The suspension isn’t the best, ground clearance is limited and acceleration is very poor

Dead simple idea (remove Mille’s bottom fairing, fit high bars) becomes a sophisticated machine. It’s great for most roads, despite snatchy throttle and firm suspenders