THE TOP 3 MUST HAVES

Well, here we go. The last page, and our top three. There’s something for everyone here – you’ll get a GSX-R750 for pennies these days, an S1000RR is stunning value for 2017-level performance, and the Panigale is one of the moto-world’s proper superlatives. What a time to be alive…

Ducati Panigale 1299S

Not that long ago, you could put Ducati in the same bracket as something like Bimota or MV Agusta. In the mid-Nineties, they were bumping along, making sweet-looking bikes and winning all the WSB – but not really looking like a biking superpower. Now, with Audi in charge, Bologna seems essentially unstoppable. And the current 1299 Panigale is proof of this. It’s a winner in superbike racing of course, but it’s massive as a road bike as well. With a 200bhp V-twin motor, lightweight uber-techy chassis and more computeraided riding toys than anyone else, you could forgive it for being a bit of a minger. But it is, of course, achingly beautiful. Like a 22-year-old supermodel that can hold their drink, wire a plug, fix the Wi-Fi router, and make a great bacon sarnie, Ducati’s Panigale really is the stuff dreams are made of…

BMW S1000RR

Finally, the Munich massive listened to us when we asked for a fast bike to match their fast cars. Apparently from nowhere, the Germans built a class-topping litre superbike to stand up against anything from Japan. Race success has been scant, TT aside, but for the man in the street, the RR is a fabulous choice. Easily tuned up to warp factor nine, common enough that parts aren’t any hassle, and a bargain compared with some of the competition: what more do you want? Hot grips and cruise control? Well, you’re in luck: it gives you those too…

Suzuki GSX-R750

This is probably a little bit more heart than head, but so much of what makes us Fast

Bikes comes from the original GSX-R750s of the 1980s and 90s. The seven-fiddy Gixer has been ditched from the brand’s line-up, but riding one still brings it all back. Screaming revs, plus a dollop of grunt, 600-style handling with almost-a-litrebike power, all for a bargain price.

Could the new 1000 point to a revival for the 750 too? Well, if you’re listening Mr Suzuki, we want an extra 45bhp, gas forks, 170kg and a Yoshimura pipe as stock. Gwan – you know you want to…