Since its launch, the Kawasaki Z1000 has developed mini cult status in the streetfighter class, and makes a storming second-hand buy with its unique style, stimulating performance and excellent value, something that's only got better with the arrival of the 2007 Kawasaki Z1000.

The angular, eye-catching, laddish-looking bodywork makes it stand out, with its unusual four-into-four exhaust system adding to the macho effect. Its appearance certainly can't be viewed as subtle. Bright anodized alloy radiator covers, garish paint scheme options, polished rims and colored engine covers help see to that.

The fat power delivery of the Kawasaki's engine isn't too refined either. And that's one of its plus points. Essentially a bored-out ZX-9R engine, the sportbike-derived lump is raw and vibey and not short of stomp, with a claimed 125 horsepower on offer.

Considering these two are linked by a common engine layout, what's instantly noticeable is how wildly different their engines feel. The Triumph Speed Triple is silky smooth in all regards, faultless fueling, minimal vibrations and a torque curve that's almost been ironed flat. By contrast, the Benelli TNT Sport is gruffer and rougher. It's not lumpy or jerky, but there's a coarse feeling to it. Blip the throttles and the Benelli TNT growls, the Triumph Speed Triple whirrs.

They're both hugely grunty at all revs, of course, let's not forget we're dealing with 1050cc and 1130cc motorcycles here, but the Triumph feels the gutsiest, despite actually making less torque than the Benelli TNT. It could be nothing more than a gearing illusion, but open the throttle on the Triumph Speed Triple anywhere in any gear and it just wants to vanish towards the horizon.

Bangkok has to be the 125cc motorcycle capital of the world, yep, even more so than some Chinese cities. They're everywhere. Ancient 2-strokes with high pitch sounds, load-piped and modern 4-strokes which seems to be favored by the Bangkok commuters. Bangkok commuters, from elderly Madames tottering past, to youngsters who come screaming by on highly modified motorcycles, Bangkokians love there motorcycles.

Looking at the motorcycles on the street you notice, plenty of Honda's and Yamaha's here and there a Suzuki, but what about Kawasaki's.

The Kawasaki Kaze ZX130R, comes with a 130cc 4 Stroke, Single Piston SOHC, Air Cooled engine. The Kawasaki Kaze ZX130 handles like a charm, it is one of the easiest drivable bikes I have tried out. You might think that all 125cc scooters and motorcycles perform much the same, they've all got about the same amount of power to play with and weight all around 100 kilos.

Looking at a World Superbike Championship race, where liter class sportsbikes battle for a podium position, and your evening's entertainment will never been the same. Aprilia's RXV 4.5 has the potential to do the same to dirt bikes. It's the first 450cc V-twin for an enduro type of bike. It's lighter and smaller than many singles cylinder enduro bikes, and by any standard, it's fast.

The Aprilia RXV 4.5 makes a big first impression with its indulgent design. It's all sharp lines and flamboyant angles, if you're looking for a mental toy though, style matters.

Fuel injection, a clever ECU, and a reliable electric start remove one of the worst agonies of enduro riding, thrashing away at a hot engine's kickstart after the battery has rolled on its back. If you put an enduro rider in the desert they'll walk in a big circle thanks to having one over-developed, kick-start leg. No kidding.

The Triumph Tiger 1050, why? I have finally had my fill of owning sports bikes. Reality hit home: my commute is through Bangkok traffic; I need to take a pillion every now and then; despite my best intentions I only managed one track day last year on my Suzuki GSX-R600. I've come to accept that I need a more practical bike.

As life goes by you realize that with each change a part of your youth is lost forever. The innocence of childhood is lost when Father Christmas's true identity is revealed. Teenage years disappear when a part time jog to earn drink vouchers develops into a full-time occupation, and youth finally flies the nest when a mortgage comes home to roost.

But this doesn't necessarily mean I have to break out the pipe and slippers. Practical can be fun, which is why I picked the Triumph Tiger 1050.

I'm on a brand-spanking-new Thai build 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R I've never ridden and the Ninja 250R doesn't even belong to me. With the shock turned to its lowest setting, my feet can reach the ground. I need to confess that as a Thai female I'm not that big.

After hearing how it's designed for all kinds of riders, I couldn't wait to give the Kawasaki Ninja 250R a good whack. Slicing through traffic was quick thanks to the easy-to-reach handlebar. The upright riding position made even me feel tall and totally in control out there in that sea of four-wheeled rush-hour land yachts. The riding position is very comfortable, and overall I found the bike extremely light and responsive.

The bike looks like designers took their time with the Kawasaki Ninja 250R's aesthetics. You can tell this bike was designed to attract a female rider and I would fully recommend it to one especially if she hasn't been riding motorcycles all that long.

Yes, it's a scooter and, yes, it has three wheels. And, yes, it looks like the bastard offspring of an SUV and a moon buggy. Gilera Fuoco is closely related to the Piaggio MP3, with the same steering system that allows it to lean over in corners.

In fact, it really doesn't handle any differently to a regular two-wheeler. You still have to counter-steer and, with so much bodywork and tread plate covering the front end, from the saddle you can't even see there are two wheels up front.

So what's it all about? Safety, apparently. And fun. Oh, and passion too. That's what Gilera say after we get to ride their Fuoco scooter for 50 kilometers through lunch-hour Rome. Hardly a comprehensive testing run, but enough to show that the Gilera Fuoco makes a nifty little commuter. It's not actually that wide, just 1cm more than Gilera's other 500cc scooter, the Nexus.

So the 2008 Yamaha FZ1 Fazer has none of the annoying throttle snatch of the previous model. Unfortunately it's also lost some power; the previous model provided us with 138 horsepower stock; and the latest 2008 Yamaha FZ1 Fazer gives us 130 horsepower.

It's the same when you tune them: with Micron Serpent headers and Micron GP end can, a Power Commander and the secondary throttle valves removed a old Yamaha FZ1 Fazer made 148 horsepower. In exactly the same state of tune the latest bike makes 140 horsepower. So where are the 8 missing horses?

My guess, and it is just a guess, is Yamaha have slowed the rate of opening of the secondaries and modified fueling to improve off/on throttle transition.

Japanese bikes don't come much more Italian than the revamped Honda Hornet 600. Despite the name on its tank, the 2008 Honda Hornet 600 or Honda CBF600 was shaped by Honda's European design studio in Italy, and built at the factory in Atessa. Given the enormous sales were largely responsible for the original Honda Hornet 600 topping worldwide sales charts a few years back, there's no doubt plenty the latest 2008 Hornet version will be sold too.

Today, at the start of the 29th Bangkok Motorshow lots of Thai riders, will be looking for the first bigger bike to ride in Thai Kingdom.

Honda Hornets since the original was launched nine years ago. This latest 2008 update is the most comprehensive yet, combining reworking 16-valve engine from the latest Honda CBR600RR with an aluminum frame instead of the old steel one.

The Suzuki RF900 is another variation on Suzuki's old oil-cooled GSX-R engine; in basic chassis clad in fancy bodywork with Ferrari-style louvres and a Star Wars style rear light. Originally touted as a budget Honda Fireblade alternative, but the cheap suspension and brakes let it down - although in 1994 it was the cheapest way of hitting 270km/h.

The Suzuki RF900 is powered by a 937cc, four cylinders, in-line, oil-cooled engine, capable of producing 125 horsepower.

Everything is low spec, but the engine's reliable, and brakes and rear suspension can be improved for not too much.

The alternator bushes wear, which can make it rattle like hell. Replace, or they'll dump you, spark-less, by the roadside. Check for accident damage under the plastic fairing.