Past Reviews: MCN - September 18, 2002

SOME BIKES ARE GREAT to ride, and some are just great. This is the definitive selection of machines that are both. Take most bikes for a spin and your day will be improved. Maybe even your whole year. The 50 presented here will give you memories for a lifetime.

And the great thing is, most of these bikes are accessible. What's the point in producing a list of definitive machines when most people haven't had a chance to say if they are or not?

OK, so there are a couple of rarities that might be tricky to get your leg over. But at least you know, if fortune smiles your way and you get the chance to ride a Brough Superior, it's going to be worth it.

There is every chance you'll have ridden some of these bikes already. You might have owned several of them. Use this list as a starting point, and see how many definitive machines you can get under your belt.

To help you, the back page of this supplement shows you where to ride some of the 50 machines you have just got to ride. Best get going.

Richard Fincher, Editor

SUZUKI GSX1100 KATANA

• SUZUKI RE-RELEASED IT FIVE YEARS AGO
• IT'S GOT A SUEDE PILLION SEAT

STYLING. SO IMPORTANT THESE days, almost ignored in the early '80s. Whadda we need? Wheels? Check. Engine? Got it. Headlamp - round or square? And there we go - the next model rolls. off the line.

And then came this. In 1981, the Katana looked like a spaceship (and providently went like a rocket) and the world went 'we like'. Ride it now to have people go 'we still like'.

You could cheat and get a 250 or 400cc grey import. We might excuse you because this is really about looks, though the original held its end up as a true muscle bike. The reach to the bars and surprisingly high pegs might trick you into thinking you're on something sporty, but do be careful - the engine will happily outdo the frame's best attempts.

Just so you know the others...