This is Yamaha's V-twin soundalike cross plane crank motor, so it feels much more like a V2/V4 than a straight four. Seems to have loads of grunt and makes a pleasant change from ultra smooth Blades and whatnot.

Techno on the 2011 model is limited to an electronic throttle and a three stage throttle map, girly, normal and gravel-trap. On the road in October normal seems adequate, and even then you can step the back out if you're quick enough on the gas. More adventurous types can play with hero mode - the combination of great throttle response and excellent rear suspension means you've got plenty of feel for sliding the thing about. Make the most of it though, seems for 2012 Yamaha will add traction control; spoilsports.

Hard on the gas when a bit more upright the bike reminded me of the early Blades, the front end immediately goes light and shakes its head. Seems to be a reasonable steering damper fitted, so experimentation needed with the setting perhaps.

Suspension is of course excellent, giving great feel and control but being super comfy as well. Why can't the Italians and Germans do this? I was chasing a Beemer S1000RRRR who mentioned a bumpy little road I hadn't even noticed.

But there are buts. The brakes were shite. Dunno if it's just the one I rode, but there was not much feel and not a lot of stopping.

OK, we're spoilt now with all these Brembos and suchlike, but there's no excuse for poor brakes on a £13K bike. The setup looks the business, so I can't see why they're so poor. And to add insult to injury, the bike stood up when using the brakes hard (relatively speaking) mid bend. Now this is something you do a lot of when riding fast on unknown roads, so you want the bike to remain on course when hitting the anchors - don't mind a bit of weaving about but standing up and heading for the far hedge is a big disadvantage.

And the steering has a bit of a question mark. Chasing the Beemer through a couple of chicanes left the Yamaha running wide and struggling to keep up. Great when committed in a single bend and easy to change line, but a rapid change of direction made the front feel slow and heavy. Adding in a bit of braking and the corner got very untidy. Reminder of the original R1?

Ergos are good, easy shortish reach to the bars which aren't too low for decent road use, and leg room is fair - pegs are adjustable and were set on low. If you do tracks obviously rearsets are a must anyway so it's nice to see reasonably comfy road pegs. Seat not too bad, bit firm but a feather bed compared to the KTM RC dumpertruck. You won't be too John Wayne after a day's riding.

Looks? Well, they're subjective. I like the front and the middle's not bad. But the back end is pretty horrendous. Underseat cans are so 2005 darling, do catch up. Yamaha, do us a favour and just copy the R6, please.

So, all in all a mixed bag. Superb motor, very entertaining and sounds brilliant, even with standard cans. Great back end (ooer) but a possibly dodgy front. Looks wise of course it's the other way round.