R rated naked beauty: “What was BMW thinking? The world’s most powerful production naked bike? 163bhp (120kW)? 0-100kmh in 2.6 seconds? On paper it sounds like an angry, testosterone-filled monster and yes, it can be, but it is so much more…”

Sharp new blade: “Honda’s recently released 2008 CBR1000 RR Fireblade is a huge departure from previous models in the best possible way with distinctly unique looks, stronger performance and astoundingly responsive control…”

Cruising the Upper Hunter: “Back on the Golden Highway, it is hard to believe that Sydney is only a couple of hours away. It feels like we are so far from anywhere, hardly a car goes by and the scenery is spectacular. Onwards now through the Goulbourn River National Park we looped through the wilderness heading for Merriwa. Little did we know that the ‘bit’ of gravel road we were told about would actually be a bone shaking, rutted, dusty 61kms …”

Stoner unstoppable? “However none of the Hondas would be able to make any impression on Stoner. The Aussie World Champion relieved Pedrosa of the lead at the end of lap one and was never again troubled as he powered to a decisive win, his third of this 2008 campaign…”

Baby GS: “Having owned one of the original single cylinder models and found it wanting as a touring machine the extra power of the new twin should make it a good all-rounder. In fact, having watched Charley and Ewan trying repeatedly to pick up their loaded 1200s on The Long Way Down I think they would have been better off with this new baby GS…”

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Way off road: “The roads ranged from flat, smooth-as-bitumen hard-packed dirt to gravel and some rocky sections that would have had mountain goats shying away. A particularly steep hilly section provided a few riders with pause for thought, though all made it successfully to the top (the alternative of riding back down being the greater of the two evils)…”

The motorcycle that changed it all: “The motorcycle is most noted for its 61-cubic inch powerplant: The famed “Knucklehead” engine. The first overhead valve V-Twin engine Harley-Davidson made for public purchase, the Knucklehead gave Harley-Davidson customers unprecedented power…”

Best in show: “My favourite was the customised V Rod above which paid tribute to the overall V Rod style but really went to town on chrome and Batmanesque paintjob. Other favourites were The Beast which had to be held down with chains, and the home-on-the-range special!…”

Desmo delight: “OK, so it’s a race bike that you can (if you’re crazy) ride on the road. It takes all the original 1098 features, reduces weight even further and adds an extra 20 horsepower, traction control, sand-cast crankcases, titanium valves and con-rods, TTXR rear suspension and much more to produce the most awesome performance imaginable…”

Clutchless wonder: “With its astounding concept bike looks, long-and-low proportions, high-styled 17″ wheels and powerful V-twin engine, Honda’s new DN-01 is most certainly a motorcycle that provides all the exhilarating riding enjoyment one would expect from the finest of its breed…”

Night rider: “Casey Stoner savoured the Australian national anthem with his eyes firmly closed under the bright lights of Qatar after taking victory in the first night race in the history of the sport. The MotoGP World Champion started the defence of his title from fourth on the grid and had dropped to fifth by the end of the first lap, before charging through to set up a stirring battle…”

Handmade Italian: “Since its rebirth in 2003, the famous Italian designers and engineers of Bimota have created an incomparable range of sports motorcycles based around Ducati Desmo engines. 2008 models include the award-winning DB6 Delirio 1100, the distinctive Tesi 3D with its unique ‘centre hub’ steering technology and the all new powerful DB7 Super Bike…”�

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Fat Bob – it’s Dyna-mite: “Former US Marine, Fred Fries, talked to us about his new pride and joy. Fred is the kind of guy to whom a motorbike is a Harley (forget European and Japanese); the only problem is, which one? Fresh with a permission slip in his pocket, he heads off to Classic Motorcycles, the local dealership….”

Lean, mean Ninja machine: “For the 2008 Ninja ZX-10R, Kawasaki engineers wanted to offer us ordinary riders, the sort of feedback from the machine that professional racers require to ride at the highest level…”

A classic occasion: “The bikes started to arrive. The CCCMCC made an impressive turnout in adverse conditions. There was much drying off of bikes to show off the gleaming chrome & paintwork. Bikes included a rare 1964 500cc AJS, a 1971 BMW R60S and sidecar, and a ’72 Honda 750/4. The AJS was originally one of only 150 made for the South African police and only one of three in Australia…”

A cautionary tale: “All of a sudden, my beam picks out huge catseyes in the white lines (I mean really huge, the size of bowling balls, designed to scare 4 wheel drives). Choices? Zero! Straighten up. Even brake. Off the seat. Whack! Hit the first one; bike offline; can’t hold. 120km per hour traffic to the left. Merging traffic to the right. Drop and slide at 70kmh, aiming for the runoff…”

Fireblade goes touring: “Honda’s rider friendly CBF1000 is powered by the same high-revving engine that shot the first generation CBR1000RR Fireblade to dramatic wins on racetracks around the world. Its been retuned to deliver strong thrusts of acceleration in the low to mid rev range that touring riders need most. Combined with a classy chassis, suspension and brake package, the CBF promises a sporty and responsive ride…”

Tech Briefing: “The Yamaha YZF-R6 has dominated Australian road racing over the last two years, with current champion Jason O’Halloran leading the charge. A list price of $15,499 belies the amount of new technology packed into the 2008 model. Improvements include even more linear power thanks to variable inlet tracts (YCCI) and a new Deltabox chassis, plus all-new bodywork…”

Italian for high speed: “Moto Morini’s Corsaro 1200 Veloce (Italian for high-speed), inspired by the best tradition of the Bologna motorcycle manufacturer, is chock full of Italian design flair, oh, and it goes like stink as well!…”

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