specs

Much more zest than the competition but has its drawbacks too

The F800S and ST are BMW's first entry into the middleweight market. Both are aimed squarely at newer riders who hanker after the kudos and quality associated with the German firm.

FireBlade TT Opinion: John McGuinness I like the FireBlade, like the softer power delivery that's dead usable and linear. It steers really fast too, and feels light, compact and aggressive where the others felt more like armchairs.

Welcome to the jungle. Actually, Wales, where the tarmac's twisty and lumpy and BMW's meaty GS Adventure meets the old-staging Honda Africa Twin and KTM's brand-bouncing new 950 Adventure S

Aprilia's belated entry into the big-bore naked class. Is it too little too late, or should the Ducati Monster run scared?

Honda doesn't build £17,000 'custom' motorcycles. Honda doesn't create a design study and work 'backwards' towards a production machine. Of course, all of this was true before the Rune

The Mille R is dead. It's replacement, the Mille Factory, has moved Bert to proclaim the machine to be the best Italian V-twin sportsbike on the market

Having run out of weather related names Buell decided to stick with its current monikers for the latest offerings. We put them through their paces

A hazy April afternoon cruising through the long, winding roads of the Northamptonshire countryside. Mark Shippey bonds with Kawasaki's VN1600 Classic

If you want a real-world alternative to Honda's venerable VFR, then look no further. Think VFR with character and soul and you're not far off the Sprint ST

They may not be the best looking bikes out there, but is there more than meets the eye when it comes to these presentationally-challenged secondhand bikes?

As a road bike the Sport S is very good, with loads of low-down power, an excellent gearbox and low maintenance shaft-drive

The SV1000 is like the 650, 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.

If you want a bike that makes you feel a million dollars whenever you ride it there is only one manufacturer to turn to

Living with the first breed of GSX-R1000 is a lot easier than you think

The new 2003 SV650S has a hell of a reputation to live up to as it steps into the shoes of its vastly popular predecessor.

Suzuki's fun-sized V-twin won't have you quivering with lust, but it won't disappoint if you're after a competent machine that'll keep you smiling all day

Remember the Big One, the Honda CB1000? Well this is the Even Bigger One, a bike that, like its rider(!), combines massive muscle with definitive retro appeal

It looked like a pit-bull, even if it was more of a lap-dog to ride. Blessed with good looks and mucho torque, Suzuki's GSX1400 has proved to be a popular retro bruiser bike in used circles

Buell's naked, promises big kicks from its punchy motor but with a wheelbase smaller than a gnat's wheelbarrow, sharp handling too

Fashion may have consigned the 2000 GSX-R600 to history with its now dated bulbous looks, but it is still an utter ripper of a bike, and a bargain at that.

1997 saw Suzuki emulate it's success with the 750 race rep with the launch of the GSX-R 600.