Kawasaki Z1300 1300cc

Water-cooled twin cam 6 cylinders, 320kg when ready to go. Kawasaki's technological masterpiece is a BIG bike (but at 5'9" I could ride it no problem). An engine that puts out 120 bhp (130 if you get the later fuel-injected models)means that, despite the weight, it's no slouch. Bucketloads of torque, all delivered with an eerie smoothness via the shaft drive and (on later models) air suspension.

There's no way you can throw this beast round the twisty lanes, but it is suprisingly rideable. Apart from the mass, the biggest problem is the fact that because it's so smooth and quiet you're doing at least 20, if not 30mph, more than you thought you were. No noise, apart from the squish of the tyres and a quiet melodic hum, like a choir of angels breathing softly through harmonicas. Not cheap to run, but there is NOTHING like it.

Our American cousins could get a "full dress" version, with fairing and panniers etc, called the Voyager- probably visible from space.

Faired or not, it's an effortless mile-gobbler and a never-to-be-forgotten experience.

Tip: the bottom of the clutch cable connects to a small, boomerang-shaped activating arm apparently made of soft cheese. They cost peanuts, and take about 10 minutes to change. Always carry a spare with you- if it snaps you've got no clutch. 320 kgs, 120 bhp, shaft drive, no clutch- deep joy!!