I reckon these bikes really changed the game. Here's my pick of the pioneers of motorcycling

This week we are celebrating pioneers of the two-wheeled world, bikes that pushed boundaries and introduced some future tech first. Angle-responsive ABS arrived on the KTM 1190 Super Adventure in 2017 while the 2009 BMW S1000RR was the first to feature an IMU and with it angle-responsive traction control.

Related: How to find the best kit for sportsbikes riding

The 1995 Aprilia RS250 debuted a lap timer, the Ducati 999 was the first bike with CAN-bus and the 2005 MV Agusta Tamburini the first with variable intake funnels. But which tech marvel is for you?

Read on for our expert guide to true motorcycling pioneers!

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MCN Recommended: 2012 – 2013 BMW HP4 – £12,000 – £14,000

BMW’s ground-breaking sportsbike

Spec:

• Power 190.3bhp
• Engine capacity 999cc
• Seat height 820mm
• Kerb weight 199kg

Having debuted electronically-controlled suspension (ESA) in 2005 on the K1200S, the Bavarian firm went one stage further with the BMW HP4 and made it semi-active. An incredibly impressive system, it was slightly overshadowed by the fact the HP4 itself was a mind-blowing bike that arrived dripping in cool features such as lightweight wheels, carbon bodywork and top-rate electronics package. The HP4 remains a very special motorcycle and one that certainly justifies its high price tag.

BMW HP4 used buying advice

● As always with semi-active suspension, check the shock as while the forks can have seals replaced, technically the shock can’t be rebuilt.
● A few owners have experienced cam chain tensioner issues that have required the tensioner being replaced. It’s not common but listen for a rattle when the bike is just started up and is ticking over.
● The HP4 comes with a road-legal Akrapovic exhaust, which is often swapped for a louder race can. Owners tend to remove the catalytic converter through a de-cat link pipe to gain a bit of power.

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2009 – 2011 Honda Fireblade – £4499 – £6000

Sportsbike ABS finally arrives thanks to Honda

Spec:

• Power 178bhp
• Engine capacity 999cc
• Seat height 820mm
• Kerb weight 210kg

Honda’s CBR1000RR Fireblade was the first bike to add ABS to a sportsbike (some say BMW’s HP2 beat it though…). Called C-ABS, it’s a combined braking system that aims to keep the bike level under hard deceleration by modulating the pressure between front and rear calipers. Aside from C-ABS (which is a bit Marmite), the 2009-onwards ‘stubby nose’ Blade makes a great road sportsbike.

Honda Fireblade used buying advice

● The C-ABS can be a bit of a headache when it comes to refreshing fluid because there’s a specific sequence that needs to be completed by a Honda technician which costs about £250.
● While the finish is generally fairly high, the black paint on the exhaust is very thin and marks easily. Watch for rust where it has flaked off.
● Check the fairing for cracks and broken lugs; it’s quite brittle with lots of fasteners. Home DIYers often snap tangs accidentally.

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2002 – 2013 Honda VFR800 VTEC – £2500 – £5500

Variable valve timing for the masses

Spec:

• Power 110bhp
• Engine capacity 781cc
• Seat height 805mm
• Kerb weight 208kg

Honda introduced variable valve timing on the 1984 Japan-only CBR400F, but it was the VFR800 that brought it to the mass-market. VTEC uses hydraulic pressure to move an actuator pin that swaps the head from running on two to four valves. Although it introduced a jerkiness to the usually smooth V4 motor’s response, the 800 is still a brilliant sports tourer.

Honda VFR800 VTEC used buying advice

● Check the swingarm’s eccentric hub isn’t seized. If it is, it can be quite a job to strip, unseize and regrease.
● Check the 3-pot brake calipers. the internal pistons can seize, leading to brake drag. It is quite common, due to the linked system.
● The exhaust rots through at the mild steel collector box. If this happens, you will need to replace the whole system and that can be a costly upgrade. Rotten downpipes are also a potential issue.

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2007 – 2008 Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7/8 – £4000 – £6000

Variable power modes arrive

Spec:

• Power 182bhp
• Engine capacity 998cc
• Seat height 810mm
• Kerb weight 192kg

Most credit the K7 Suzuki GSX-R1000 as being the first to offer variable power modes as standard. The fairly basic system, called Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS), gives the option of three power modes – A, B and C. It uses an ECU-controlled secondary throttle valve to reduce fuel/air into the engine and neuter power. An overlooked model, that’s still a great used buy.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7/8 used buying advice

● Check the suspension linkages; Suzuki were stingy on grease in the factory. By now they may be in desperate need of a regrease.
● Be wary of cheap aftermarket levers, fairings that hide damage and crash protection that has required the fairing to be drilled.
● On a test ride, look for an Fi warning code. It could be a sticking exhaust valve. Another potential culprit is the throttle position sensor. These also fail and it’s quite tricky to get to and replace.

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2006 – 2007 Yamaha YZF-R6 – £4999 – £7000

Middleweight screamer gives us ride-by-wire

Spec:

• Power 123bhp
• Engine capacity 599cc
• Seat height 850mm
• Kerb weight 179kg

The 2006 Yamaha YZF-R6 was the first bike to feature a ride-by-wire throttle. Called YCC-T, the system retained throttle cables but they turned a sensor that then decided how far to open the gas. Small, light and incredibly agile, this generation of R6 still forms the basis for the current WSS bike and although it has been updated a few times, the original can still thrill for less cash.

Yamaha YZF-R6 used buying advice

● The exhaust EXUP valve gets hot and can seize. An annual strip and regrease with copper grease is well advised.
● The R6 comes with two black keys and one red ‘master’ immobiliser key. Ensure that the red key is included if you buy an R6 because you can’t re-programme a black key without it.
● Hard track use can see R6s burn oil so keep a regular check on the level and listen for any grumbles from the motor.