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Kawasaki has finally outdone Harley by going back to the cruiser roots and producing a gorgeous eye-catching machine with bags of torque, top build quality, performance and handling on a par with any rival

It really looks the part, but ultimately it fails to stir the soul as standard. Shame, ’cos those looks are ‘the real thang...’

It’s a good bike, but Honda’s own Valkyrie is a better looker and performer, so is Harley-Davidson’s V-Rod

Delivers a mixed message – looks like a streetfighter, is in fact a boulevard cruiser. Soft core motorcycle for those that want heavy metal with manners

The first Harley for years which is actually very different, while still being a Harley. Confused? Don't be, it's a great-looking, superb bike

Excellent price and good ride quality mostly out-weighed by cheap finish and lack of any real character. Bikes like this are as much about how they look and make you feel as how they are to ride

Honda out-retros Harley, but irons out character in the process

Decent looking, decent performing, decent all-round, without ever really being much more than that

Possibly even worth considering over and above the mighty Fat Boy, due to its lower weight and good performance (for a traditional Harley)

It's a Harley, but shinier

Possibly the best (affordable) entry point into Harley ownership

A big, thumping Harley in the grand old tradition, but the low price comes at the expense of finesse

Now, this is more like it - this is where Harleys become real Harleys

The Wide Glide is something of an icon to the non-biker, but Harley itself does more useable models, such as the Fat Boy

A proper Harley, with all that entails - chugging engine, clonking gears, lazy steering - and bags of character

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

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 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.

The SPR is distinctive, surefooted and most of all, blindingly quick. This black bullet deserves its very special place in the limelight

The Tornado is a very good bike that can hold its own against other Italian exotica both in looks and performance

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

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

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

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