‘An intriguing glimpse of what might be on the horizon’

We can surely agree that the 1974 Kawasaki Z1 is one of the finest looking motorcycles ever produced. Handsome air- cooled engine, curvy bodywork with that neat tail piece, great colour scheme and shiny four pipe exhaust system. Turn to page 88 for further evidence of aesthetic excellence. You can understand why Kawasaki want to milk it for styling inspiration for their Z900RS retro bike that’s tested on page 76. Even if they did miss off the four pipe exhaust. They missed the feeble brakes and skinny tyres too, but that’s no bad thing. Not everything from the 1970s is worth reproducing. I’m thinking Alvin Stardust tunes and Morris Marinas as well as waterproofs that leak and helmets with rattly visors. Has the whole retro thing gone too far? But while one part of motorcycling is looking towards the past (while making use of 21st century electronics) another is looking towards the future. We’ve ridden the three-wheeled Yamaha Niken (page 34) and the electrically propelled 125mph Energica Eva (page 62). They’ve both got detractors – who wants a bike that’s expensive, heavy and has a limited range? And why would you want an extra wheel? Can’t balance with two? But they’re both an intriguing glimpse of a future that doesn’t rely on a rose tinted view of the past. Agree? disagree? Or got a view on some other aspect of the world of bikes? Write and tell us. What’s a constant in motorcycling is the challenge of balancing skill against risk, and our respect for riders with real talent. Like speedway star Tai Woffinden interviewed by John Westlake page 68) and TT competitors (photographed by Dave Collister) on page 43. Enjoy the issue.