Made by Italian company Piaggio under the popular Gilera brand, the Runner was first produced in 1997 as a performance line with liquid-cooled engines. It has since become an enduring favourite for many, particularly the DarkDream, which retains its popularity today.

Beginning life with a 50cc, early iterations came with two stroke engines: the 50DD (DarkDream) introduced a rear disc brake in 1998 and the first direct injection, Pureject 50, launched in 2003. Other models in this period include the FX and SP (125cc) and the FXR 180cc.

The first generation of the Runner range expanded with the introduction of VX 125 (124cc) and VXR 180 (180cc) four stroke engines models from 1998. The weight-to-power balance made this model a popular choice among stunt riders for performing wheelies.

The Runner range was refreshed with a 2nd generation and redesign which launched in 2005 and remains in production.

A favourite of 16-year-olds up and down the country in the late 90s and early noughties, the Zip combined economical fuel consumption and a surprising amount of ‘zip’ to make it the most popular two-wheel vehicle in the UK in 2001.

While the first generation Zip was only available as a 49cc (3.0 cu in) two stroke, this was increased to 50cc for subsequent models, with some restrictions to comply with moped licence regulations. While the Zip’s speed capabilities were capped for the mass market, the scooter proved its potential when a 70cc machine was raced by a young Leon Haslam to win the 1997 Gilera Scooter Championship title. Despite its popularity, the economical Zip failed to endure in the same way as its older Piaggio brother, Vespa, and production ceased in 2006.

The ER-5 enjoyed more than 10 years in production, slitting neatly into the market as the perfect bike for beginners.

With low running costs, low insurance premiums, low tyre consumption and inexpensive parts, the 500cc was known best for being dependable, forgiving and affordable.

Unfairly criticised by some as merely ‘average’, owners are quick to defend the model as an enjoyable, comfortable and easy-to-maintain ride, perfect for building confidence.

Kawasaki achieved what they set out to do, which was to create a cheap, reliable naked commuter for the mass market.

With six gears and a parallel-twin engine, the ER-5 is often described as a ‘workhorse’, but still has plenty of zip. It continues to surprise its owners with its forgiving handling and impressive value.

A mainstay of the Honda range for more than 30 years, the CG125 has built a reputation as a gateway vehicle, ideal for short journeys or beginners - meaning it holds a special place in many rider’s hearts as one of their early bikes.

The reason for this longevity was due to its reliability. One of the primary aims of the range was to minimise the need for maintenance, an issue with the CB125.

This is not a vehicle for thrill seekers. From the point of its design, the CG125’s focus was always the basics, minimal tech and unremarkable speeds, but it has continued to deliver these fundamentals better than any of its many competitors for decades.

From the moment it was unveiled in 1997, the Speedfight was a hit and regularly topped sales charts until the early 2000s. This popularity was down to the Speedfight becoming the template for the 16-er sports scooters that come after it - setting a standard that new models continue to be measured against.

The success has seen the range continue to evolve with Speedfight 2’s introduction in 2001, Speedfight 3 in 2009 and Speedfight 4 in 2014.

Upon launch, the R6 (YZF-R6) was hailed as a more thrilling and powerful ride than Yamaha’s much-loved R1. Setting the R6 apart was a new engine design that was the first 600cc production four-stroke motorcycle capable of producing over 100 hp in stock form, reaching 108 hp while stationary. The bike saw continuous incremental updates and revisions since it arrived on the scene.

The R6 is revered for its impressive performance as Yamaha’s model of choice for the Supersport World Championships. Its WorldSSP Championship debut saw rider Jörg Teuchert crowned World Champion and has led the Yamaha team to six subsequent wins.

Sadly, sales of supersports bikes are generally in decline as people opt for more economical alternatives. But with the R6 still in production, our figures can’t account for new sales, which we hope are numerous enough to save the bike from extinction.

Seeing the success of Ducati’s twin-powered 916 in the Sports Tourer category, Honda responded with the Honda VTR1000F Firestorm in 1997 (known as the SuperHawk in the US.) While it was never the fastest sports bike, the combination of being user-friendly, cost effective and comfortable to ride sustained its popularity.

The original model featured a 90-degree V-twin engine, semi-pivotless frame and the largest carburetors ever put on a production motorcycle (48 mm). While the frame is conservative in its design, owners felt the Firestorm added some excitement to their rides without the additional expense of a dedicated street racer.

Unveiled at the Cologne Motorcycle Show in October 1984, the Suzuki GSX-R750 is considered to be the first modern racer-replica to be both affordable and suitable for road use. Replacing the GSX-R, a Japan-only model, the bike’s four-cylinder engine and alloy frame has become a template for subsequent superbikes.

The first generation and second generation can be divided by air cooled models (known as slabbies) and oil cooled models (slingshots).

First generation models were produced between 1985 and 1987 and earned the nickname slabbies due to the ‘slab-sided’ flat bodies compared to modern sports bikes. Second generation models (1988-1991) were marketed as having slingshot carburettors.

The ZX900A, also known as the Ninja 900 and the GPZ900R, was the first in the legendary Ninja range of sports bikes. The innovations that went into its production helped lead the way for the development of modern sports bikes.

The most prominent of these was the 16-valve liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder motorcycle engine - a world first. The 908cc engine helped to make the ZX 900A the first stock road bike to exceed 150mph.

The ZX 900A’s popularity was cemented after it was used in the 1986 film ‘Top Gun’.

While the Ninja 1000R was lined up as a replacement model in 1986, the ZX 900A remained the flagship until 1990. Production ended in 1993 in Europe, but continued until 2003 in Japan.

Are you as surprised as us to see the ‘Bandit six’ in this list? Fans still laud the GSF 600 as somewhat of a game changer for naked models. In fact, it was so successful that it spawned a new class of budget middle-weight roadsters.

This great-looking bike eschewed the frills and fairings in exchange for a steel-tube cradle chassis with a comfortable seat and stylish twin clocks.

Launched in 1995, its style was based on the GSF 400 Bandit but with a returned GSX 600 engine. Its popularity led to subsequent variants: the ‘96 included a bikini half-fairing, in ‘98 grab rails were added and ‘99 saw the addition of a new rear shock absorber. 2000 saw more meaningful amends, including fully electronic instruments and an extra litre capacity in the tank.

Bandits will forever remain in motorcycle lore, but seeing the GSF 600 on our roads is sadly becoming a fading memory.