Rounding off

There aren’t any winners or losers in this test because they’re all at different price points, so there’s no comparisons to be made between the three bikes we rode. It is true that I’d be happy to pay the asking price for any of them, which points to the big winners here being you and me. There has been a golden era of development and engineering advances in motorcycle design during the past 10 to 15 years, which has meant that the used bike market has never had so much variety – and at sensible price points.

There wasn’t a bike here that any of us disliked. The marks against them were to do with the choices previous owners made, and nothing to do with the bikes’ abilities or the dealers’ standards of preparation. This is normal when buying a used bike; you’re also buying someone else’s previous ownership of it. All three could do with some time setting the suspension and a good service just for peace of mind – and the Triumph’s handlebars need throwing into a skip.

While the current crop of new sportsbikes are on a level of performance and tech that we couldn’t possibly imagine just a few years ago, there is no getting away from the fact that we had a brilliant day out on these three bikes, so really, what’s not to like? There were other options for the price points, but what made us chose the Triumph, Yamaha and BMW was a mixture of, in some cases, curiosity at having never ridden one or, in my case, having done so and really wanting to again to see if they’re as good as I remember. In all cases there were zero complaints.

Personally, if I had to pick one to take home, I’d really struggle. Each bike makes a strong case for the money I don’t have. The Triumph is genuinely brilliant to ride, has a great back story and is as cheap as chips. The R1 is pure class and while all its interesting tech points are really for the hardcore anoraks, it is beautiful and a joy to ride. The BMW is one of those bikes that only comes along once every 25 years or so and changes the rules. As well as being mind-bendingly fast, it’s also an icon and undoubtedly a future classic.

So that’s settled. I’d get the BMW... but hang on, if I negotiated well enough, I could probably get the R1 AND the Triumph for the same money, or I could get the Triumph and a lot of fuel and tyres, and see the world for the same price as the BMW. Or I could get the R1 and throw some trick suspension and brakes at it... and what an utter weapon that would be for the same price as the BMW. I’m just glad I don’t have any money, otherwise it would be torture.

If you do have the money and are in the market for a used sportsbike, you are one seriously lucky so-and-so.