Yamaha XTZ660 (1991-1999)

The Yamaha XTZ660's SOHC single thumps away with its five-valve head, but the motor never feels like it’s comfortable much past 75mph. It doesn’t respond well to low rpm, either, but there’s decent power in the mid-range that makes blatting around town a breeze. Careful riding will easily see 55mpg from the Yamaha XTZ660 and push the range to almost 200 miles.

The Yamaha XTZ660's lofty perch and wide bars make for easy, confident bend swinging and superior vision of the road ahead. You’ll need it too, since the brakes are lamentable – the lack of bite exacerbated by some colossal fork dive. And by God, the Yamaha XTZ660's seat’s uncomfortable, too.

The Yamaha XTZ660 definitely looks the part – a big tank, chunky protection and big dual headlights. The lights, though, are truly feeble. Even with aftermarket high-power bulbs the Yamaha XTZ660's lights offer little more than raw carrots in terms of added night vision.