I've done about 5980 kilometers on my Honda CBR1000RR. I've moaned about the Honda Fireblade's under-damped suspension, low-down fueling glitches and weak back brake, but as yet done absolutely nothing about them – so they're hardly spoiling the motorcycle.

Last year I ran an Yamaha YZF-R6 and spent a lot of time fiddling with the fueling. A Power Commander went on and I spent a lot of time trying to fine tune the Yamaha. It was very on/off low down and lacked midrange, but then it was a peaky 600cc engine.

As for the low-down power delivery on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, that's more down to worldwide stronger emissions restrictions than Honda and it's easy to get around this restrictions. Suspension wise, all I've done so far is add a bit more rebound damping front and back. Next, I'm going to whack up the rebound to max, up the preload and perhaps add a touch more compression.

The Yamaha V-Star 250, cruiser motorcycle with plenty of torque, smooth roll-on power, light weight and a seat height of just 659mm from the pavement make the Yamaha V-Star 250 super-nimble and maneuverable, and the perfect Yamaha Star for Southeast Asia.

The Yamaha V-Star 250, currently being assembled in Malaysia by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor for possible ASEAN-wide distribution. Powered by a air-cooled, 249cc, 60-degree V-twin engine with a long, 66mm stroke produces plenty of bottom-end torque and smooth roll-on power. The only Japanese V-twin engine in its class. Breathing by a single 26mm Mikuni downdraft carburetor ensures optimal fuel/air mixing and delivery with superb throttle response. The widely geared five-speed transmission makes the most of Yamaha V-Star 250’s powerband.

Beautiful dual chrome exhaust pipes let the engine put out that classic V-twin rumble. The cruiser V-twin riding looks are increased by the 1490mm wheelbase which creates a long, low package with great handling and maneuverability. The plush and low-stepped saddle keeps the center of gravity low and lets almost everybody flatfoot the pavement.

Traction control is the most talked about technological advancement in racing of the last ten years. And now it's on the road to Ducati's Traction Control (DTC). To be honest, BMW were first with their Automatic Stability Control. You can bet that more and more motorcycle manufacturers will be in a hurry to develop their own version for the latest 2010 sportbikes.

So, how does traction control work, how will it affect the ride, and will it ruin motorcycles for hardcore riders by castrating performance? We also spoke to an technological expert on traction control, for an explanation of the differences between these systems and those in MotoGP.

Most systems are very different. For example BMW's compares wheel speed, whereas others concentrates on revs. All systems adjust ignition timing to reduce power when they detect a slide. We'll focus on the traction control that is based on the revving of the engine, aimed at fast riding.

This traction control system will have the most effect when tolling the throttle on hard out of a corner, or finding reduced surface grip. As the rear breaks away, the traction control system will retard the ignition, preventing the tire from accelerating faster than the motorcycle. This will allow grip to return as smoothly as possible.

Bajaj Auto’s hopes of acquiring a majority stake in specialized bike manufacturer KTM Power Sport AG have been stymied after CROSS Industries, the Austrian firm’s promoter, publicly declared it would not dilute its stake in KTM Power Sport AG.

Last week, KTM issued a press release stating that CROSS Industries would 'continue to hold more than 48 per cent of the shares in KTM Power Sports AG'. The release came a few days after Bajaj Auto bought another 0.2 per cent in the Vienna-listed company.

There are few things that test matrimonial relations more than the unauthorized acquisition of extra motorcycles. Women have special motorcycle detection sensors, and the mere arrival of unknown pickup truck can trigger an unannounced SWAT-style raid on the garage.

Attempting to deceive your partner is doomed to unpleasant and possible life-changing failure. Especially if the motorcycle purchase consumes the housekeeping or holiday budget and distracts you from essential DIY/in-law visiting duties.

However, don't despair. Diplomacy does work and if the nuclear superpowers can disarm then it's also possible for permission to be granted for the purchase of a new motorcycle.

Tire pressure has become a big deal in MotoGP racing. The single tire rule has had many effects in MotoGP and not always those intended. The pre-season test races are anything but the close race the one-tire-for-everyone rule was supposed to promote. One-tire-for-all has made it especially tough for the slower riders who now have to try and get some grip out of tires essentially designed for Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and the like.

Thus riders have no use other set-up details to adapt the Bridgestone tires to their own styles; which is why tire pressure has become the new big deal in MotoGP racing.

The Yamaha FZ8, finding the right mix of performance and comfort has been the goal of motorcyclists since the earliest steam powered bikes bumbled along cobblestone streets. The Yamaha YZF-R1's impeccable performance appealed to many but equally powerful was its ability to send shivers of pain up the arms of many prospective owners.

Yamaha's solution comes mid this month, with the official launch of the Yamaha FZ8, the Yamaha FZ8 will not be a competitor of the Yamaha YZF-R1 – the Yamaha FZ8 budget suspension and steel tube frame wouldn't allow that. The comparison fire burns within, for the engine Yamaha research and developers surely looked at the latest YZF-R1 engine.

The Yamaha FZ8 is a motorcycle with an good amount of torque, and enough horsepower to meet and rule the upper middleweight class. Yamaha FZ8's upright riding position is a sure confidence booster.

Whoever said the two-stroke is dead should spend a day in the dirt with a dirt-cheap, secondhand Yamaha DT125, its a potent yet refined dirt-bike.

The Yamaha DT125 is powered by a two-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder 123cc engine. It's equipped with a nicely geared 6-speed gearbox. Our model had only a kick-starter which needed only one firm kick to get the engine going. The fueling is simple by a Mikuni VM24SS1 carburettor. The owner told us that modifying the Yamaha DT125 is simple and performance can be increased as easy as changing air-filter and modify the exhaust pipe. Our Yamaha DT125 came in factory stock configuration.

A Yamaha DT125 can be bought amazingly cheap, parts are easily available in Thailand and a complete engine rebuild for a two-stroke doesn't cost that much also. The Yamaha DT125 is light, broad, tractable machine just as happy to be trail-ridden as a dirt-bike could be. And unlike the homogenized four-stroke alternatives, the Yamaha DT125 two-stroke engine retains its unique character that separates it from its rivals.

If you can ride a motorcycle, the chances are you're a fairly useful human and can perform relatively basic tasks without having a nervous breakdown.

Which begs the question, 'Why are we so quick to pay money to a mechanic when the majority of all servicing and maintenance can easily be undertaken in the garage at home?'

The biggest obstacle in our was is knowledge or lack of. If we knew exactly which bolt to undo at what point and everything was completely mapped out for use a full service should be a lot less taxing than putting together an moderated jig-zag puzzle, which are designed for 9 to 12 year olds.

Team Suzuki Alstare rider Leon Haslam recorded his first ever World Superbike win in the first race of this year’s Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island today. He led the race from start to finish and took the flag, just 4000ths-of-a-second ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Ducati).

He and his Suzuki Alstare team mate Sylvain Guintoli then disputed the lead for most of the second race, but Haslam’s dreams of a double were dashed right at the death by Spaniard Carlos Checa (Ducati). Nevertheless, his tremendous win in race one and runner-up spot in the second puts him on the very top of the Superbike World Championship, nine points ahead of his nearest rival.

Also encouraging for the team was Guintoli’s ability to run at the front and be in contention: The Frenchman led his team mate eight laps out of 22 and did not look out of place at all. This was his first race of the year, on the new 2010 GSX-R1000 bike, with a new team, but he also showed that he too will be a force to be reckoned with this year. Although he missed out on the podium, he did receive a trophy - for the fastest lap of race two - so he did not leave Phillip Island empty handed.