As 2005 gets into full swing, Tom Rayner is confident this will be an exciting year for the world of the motorbike enthusiast.

TORQUE is the buzzword this year. Manufacturers are escaping the horsepower race of manic top end drive and 160mph plus top speeds.

Finally they are building bikes that are fun to ride on bumpy, twisty roads (read - British roads) and not three-mile long, straight runways.

The most eagerly awaited bike this year is the Yamaha MT-01. It's more than just a new bike, it's claimed to be a new genre.

Yamaha is calling it Sports Torque; what this means is that the power is low and accessible rather than at licence-losing speeds.

Powered by a 1,670cc V-twin, the MT-01 is designed to catapult the rider over the horizon from as little as 1,500rpm. Peak power is reached at 4,750rpm - compare this to the R1's figure of 12,500rpm.

The MT-01 looks and sounds different. It's a concept bike that has sneaked onto the production line and, from a style point of view, makes the Yamaha V-Max look sedate.

Also from Yamaha is the YZF-R46, a limited edition version of the R6 designed to celebrate Valentino Rossi's 2004 Moto GP World Championship for Yamaha.

With its bold graphics, quirky paint job and number 46 emblazoned across the windshield, it is unmistakably a work inspired by Moto GP's craziest character.

Honda is celebrating 30 years of the Gold Wing in 2005 with the launch of a special-edition commemorative model.

For three decades, the Gold Wing has set the standards for all luxury tourers. It has captured the imagination of the public and has accrued a loyal following of enthusiasts.

The 2005 commemorative edition model is adorned with special badges, lashings of chrome and even the LCD info panel celebrates its birthday each time the engine is started.

Suzuki's new GSX-R1000, with its controversial mirror/indicator combination and monstrous exhaust, has divided the critics.

The bike is lighter, more aerodynamic and the engine has been tuned for more torque. Suzuki will be hoping for track success in the World Superbike Championship and have hired Troy Corser and Yukio Kagayama as its riders.

Suzuki's old-faithful Bandit 600 is also being treated to an update. The old workhorse has been given fresh new styling and an extra 50cc, which has completely transformed its undeserved staid image.

Everybody is getting very excited about Triumph's new Sprint ST with its all-new 1050cc, fuel-injected, three-cylinder engine.

Effortless drive, bags of torque and a slick responsive engine are what the early reports are claiming.

BMW is continuing to grow from strength to strength and its new 1200cc boxer engine (last year seen on the R1200GS) is being fitted to its luxury tourer, the R1200RT.

Packed full of exotic electronic gadgetry, the R1200RT can't fail to impress take the Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA), for example, it actually adapts to road conditions and riding style at the press of a button.

Even fully fuelled, it's 20kg lighter than its predecessor and with an extra 15bhp to drive it that can only be a good thing.

Finally, I am waiting with sweaty palms for the release of the KTM 990 Superduke. Powered by a 999CC V-twin with all the power focused on torque and midrange, it should be an absolute hoot to ride.

KTM released a controversial video to promote its launch, which featured stunt riders performing frankly insane tricks on the open road. Not smart! Still a gorgeous bike.