2002

With two new shattering four-stroke dirtbikes available for 2002 in the shape of the Honda CRF450 and Yamaha YZ426, we sent our resident off-road specialist Steven Pheasant to various mudholes around the UK to figure out who's packing the big gun.

The ultimate buyer’s guide for Honda's 929cc and 954cc RRY, RR1, RR2 and RR3 Fireblades. The ultimate Honda CBR900RR Fireblade review.

Overlooked when new, the second-hand metal that's got us thinking, 'Now that's a good idea...'

Hundreds of coppers and thousands of Pan Clan members can't be wrong about the long-standing Honda tourer, Niall adds his praise

A touring bike disguised as an off-roader if ever there was one, the Varadero's dirt pretensions are just that

With an exciting family pedigree, the 2000 Fireblade CBR900RR had the unfortunate moniker of the 'sensible 'Blade', but don't let that put you off.

The ultimate buying and owning guide by the people who know these bikes best: those who’ve bought them, run them, broken them, fixed them, spent money on them and more

Honda's Transalp combines true all-round ability with big mile comfort, so it may make sense if practicality is number one on your shopping list

Another year, another choice selection of 1,000cc sportsbikes. But this year is a particularly good vintage as Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda try to close the gap on Suzuki's all conquering GSX-R1000 of 2001.

The original Ducati spoiler is more practical and arguably more exotic too. Plus the spec'd up 'R' version can be had on the used market for as little as £3,000. But beware, she has a few issues up her skirt.

Two of the hardiest perennials in the middleweight category go head to head

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.

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.

There's no bigger name when it comes to big sportsbikes than the FireBlade, and that was all the excuse we needed to line up every model since 1992 for a right good knees up at the wooded and wicked Oulton Park

Gus experiences the sporty BMW R1100S

Giles enjoyed his months with the Triumph adventurer, although he was never really sure of the colour...

A carefully considered long term Buell by Jim Bowen

Cantlie goes mega fast and offends the law on his R1

The Kawasaki ZX-9R didn't survive this long term test in the hands of Shippey

Daryll discovers that he didn't quite get the short straw with the Silverwing

Make it bigger and better is the order of pedigree. In 2001 Kawasaki, despite the fact that their bike was probably the oldest on the grid, won the World Supersport Championship - as vindications go, it doesn't get much better than that really!

Wozza avoids the law with a calm time onboard the Honda CBR954RR