Motorbike

We older more experienced types should envy those getting their first leg up onto the biking ladder. For them the buzz of it all has yet to be discovered. Every two-wheeled foray made is a new journey into the unknown - rich in equal levels of risk and reward.

Flicking the ignition on the impossibly trick 2D digital display glows into life while an array of LED lights illuminate the inside of the cowling. This is race track kudos on a grand scale. “Which dash have you got?” “Oh this?

Ducati’s baby superbike has always been an overlooked beauty. Visually identical to its bigger brother the supersport spec Duke was often perceived as the runt of the litter by riders blinded by the thought that bigger is better. Which wasn’t necessarily true.

ELLO VISORDOWN readers, well I've just got off the new Ducati 1198S, 20 minutes ago, after my second session here at the Portimao circuit. The first thing I've got to say is that this is an impressive track that brings the best out of this new Ducati.

The 2008 GSX-R600 K8-K10 is Suzuki's greatest GSX-R 600 to date. Does everything exceptionally well.

James Whitham rides a Kawasaki Z1000 for a year and delivers his review

Grant puts his feet up and enjoys the relaxing H-D Ultra Classic Electra Glide

Less self-consciously 'funky' thank its unfaired sibling - but has Kawasaki's new twin got what it takes to beat Suzuki's SV650S?

Why build one bike when you can have two at twice the price? Yamaha's new FZ1 naked and half-faired FZ1 Fazer emerge into the cold light of day

For the price it is hard to knock the V-Strom. A lot of kit for minimal layout. A good touring bike

Hogan earns the respect of BMW owners astride the funky G650 Xmoto

For a Sunday morning or commuter bike it looks great but lacks a bit of the charm of the old bikes whose style it apes. However, what it loses in character it makes up for in the absence of oil leaks

Simon calms down with the big Bandit

If practicality is more important than keeping up with the Jones’ then get one

I occasionally wonder if I shouldn't be more critical of new bikes at their press launches. The thing is, though there are very few perfect bikes, there are also very few complete duffers.

Have the latest sports 600s taken track focus to a level where it has limited their viability as road bikes? It certainly looks that way, but then looks can be deceiving...

Urry swaps the speed of sports bike for the sedate Tiger 1050 to experience the sense of adventure

The office puts the V-Strom through some hard miles

There are still a few bulldogs out there, bearing their teeth at the foreign hordes. Let's celebrate all things British with a little help from two of our own musical legends. Pip pip and tally ho!

Talk of twins and it's a fair bet you'll be imagining a Ducati 999 or Aprilia Factory. But what are the 'alternative' two-pot choices?

Ex-PB editor Mark Forsyth braves the 2007 Rizla GSX-R1000.