Motorbike

What on earth could Aprilia do to improve their already-ace Mille-R? Not an enormous amount as I discovered at the launch of the 2003 bike in Italy.

Aprilia launch the production version of their Tuono-R concept bike, the Tuono Fighter. With a Mille engine and chassis, near-on full superbike power and streetfighter styling, you just know this is going to be a bad boy.

Picture the scene if you will. It's 2006, we're in the middle of a recession and another Government still ignores the benefits of motorcycles to the detriment of UK road users everywhere.

I think it's fair to say the old ZZ-R1100 was more than a bit past its sell by date. I last rode one about three years ago, on a flat out European speed mission in the company of a Suzuki Hayabusa and Honda Blackbird.

Straight off the bleary early morning flight into a sodden Malaga and first sight of BMW's new R1150GS Adventure knocks me out with a hammer blow of sheer presence - it's big.

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.

I wasn't sure about the styling of BMW's new baby the F650CS when I first saw it, but the style loving Italians loved it. Wherever I parked the BMW in and around the launch city of Florence it drew admiring glances and comments.

Let me see now. Ten years ago British biking was on the verge of something big. Our bike buying trends were going to be challenged by a bug-eyed kid from Yamaha - the TDM850.

Feet stretched to way-out-front highway pegs. A single, fat, white-faced chrome-edged speedo dominating a chunky ally top-yoke. Heavyweight tank-mounted console for the basics and a nacelle headlight reflecting the whole world in its seamless perimeter.

Spring 1993 and the most cutting-edge and outrageous looking teutonic two-wheeler was launched by BMW. The BMW R1100RS was one of the first of the new generation Boxers and was a bit of a departure for BM in its (then) 70-year history.

There's a low, mean burbling coming from somewhere near my pants as my posterior is pummeled by a searing wave of torque. God, can you believe I've just written such tosh?

With a tyre-shredding 194bhp on tap and a fully revised chassis the original Hypersports bike is refusing to grow old gracefully. Hold on tight, because the 'Busa is back and is meaner than ever...

As Splitting Heirs contests go, this would seem the most one-sided fight yet. Only it's not. Thought the ZZR1400 to be the ultimate speed king? Well, maybe you've never ridden a 2002 ZZR1200 then...

Want it all? You're not alone. The CBR600F is Britain's best-selling motorbike of all time and not without good reason: it really is all things to all men (and women)

BMW K1200R, Harley-Davidson FLSTCI Heritage Softail, Triumph Rocket III - Three massive motorbikes that can go toe-to-toe with a tank

With £2,000 taken out of the Daytona 675's price tag is Triumph's Street Triple the bargain sportsbike of 2007, or have the boys from Hinckley cut corners on their new middleweight triple?

Jon Urry tests out the Ducati 620ie Monster

In some respects, Yamaha's new BT1100 Bulldog could be quite an important bike. Not, because of what it is (which we'll get to later) but for what it isn't.

Harley-Davidson unleash their most important model for 50 years. With a watercooled, 115bhp, 60¡ V-twin motor straight out of their VR1000 racebike, it marks the start of a new direction for the Milwaukee firm. This is big.