Motorbike

A sensible middleweight bike for those who don't have pretensions to tearing around Cadwell in record time

Cheap is all very well, but quality counts for a lot

Cheap transport

Slight re-vamp for the V11, with better fuel-injection, wider rubber and a better quality finish. If you want something different, it’s worth a look

It’s a reliable, good looking workhorse that is comfortable and does the job but it does lack that extra spark to really get the juices flowing

The SV1000 is like an SV650, 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

The Z750 is another solid Kawasaki. A screen will improve its motorway ability but it looks good, goes well and is a lot of fun to ride

The CBF600 provides a basic thrill with no scope to grow beyond a certain level. But then, it seems not everyone wants to even reach that level

In a country where speed cameras will soon outnumber road users, the days of 186mph supersports bikes may be numbered. Naked sit-up-and-beg bikes could be the future and this one may lead the way...

Excellent supermoto fun at a restricted rate

Now you can get all the practicality of the XT660X, with all the good looks of a supermoto plus an extra dose of handling and braking thrown into the bargain, and the price isn’t bad either

For anyone who lives at the end of a long, winding road. For anyone who wants the classic bike look, feel and sound without having to be a life-long member of the RAC. Triumph’s Thruxton is nostalgia in a bottle...

Take a Stone model, add panniers and a screen. Job done. Still a lazy day cruiser from Guzzi, still cheap

Take the stunning MV Agusta and make it more. More of everything, this is a gorgeous motorcycle

For a sensible and stylish learner machine, take a long hard look at the smallest CBR

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