Race

James has been scratching around Cadwell on a Yamaha TZ350

Perhaps it has lost just a fraction of the craziness that made the original such scary fun, but the 2006 ZX-10R has plenty of bad-ass character left.

The term 'Moto Guzzi sportsbike' is used in schools to teach English students what oxymoron means, along with honest politician, fast BMW and reliable Buell.

Gorgeous looking little 125 sportsbike, but for our money, the naked version just edges it

Admittedly gorgeous, even in that foul blue-green colourscheme, but what are the chances of ever seeing one, let alone owning one?

Wozza, Gus and Tim head from London to Cannes in time for cocktails, so make it as fast as possible please, by Hayabusa, Blackbird and ZX-12R

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 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.

If pound notes are more important than lap times these 600s offer the best compromise of race replica handling with real world practicality. New and secondhand these still top the sales podium

British MotoGP rookie Chris Burns rides a Grand Prix bike built around the bones of a Yamaha R1 in less than 14 weeks by a British team. Niall Mackenzie tests the impressive Harris WCM GP bike.

Barking: try one. Although don’t be upset if you can’t afford the top spec, as the standard Tuono is just as good

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

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 Yamaha YZF-R7 OW02 is a race homologation motorcycle of limited production run of only 500 units. It was designed to compete in the Superbike World Championship and Suzuka 8 Hours endurance races.

Serious track tackle for the 748 aficionado. For the committed only

Single seat version of standard 748 with lighter frame, titanium rods, and steel brake lines

About as sexy as it gets under 50cc

Our RC45 had been re-painted in the Castrol Honda colours of a TT marshal’s bike, which was a shame. The ‘Groundwork Southeast’ logo under the seat looked especially uninviting. The ’45 was never a pretty bike but has always had a squat, purposeful stance to it.

Liquid-cooled 90° vee-twin screamer. GP racer for the road

Superb supermoto looks powered by single cylinder 2-stroke motor. Oh to be 17 again

The little 125's big brother has twice as many cylinders and double the cc's