ENGINE

THE Blade has one of the most reliable engines around so you're unlikely to have any problems, even on high-mileage bikes. But be careful of engines that have been tuned. Once the Blade motor has been breathed on it can get a little sensitive to missed services. A favourite tweak, as it's cheap, reliable and gets big gains for your cash, is a 973cc big-bore kit. Beware of the seller trying to hype the price just because he's had the job done. The kit on its own only costs £523, or about £1500 fitted (details TTS: 01327-858212). The kit should give you around 155bhp - a 25 per cent boost. Short of stripping the motor, there is no sure-fire way to tell if the work has been done.

Once you start adding high ~ compression pistons, cams and lighter conrods you'll start having reliability problems. Find out where the work was done, so if there's a problem you can get it fixed by the people who "know" the bike.

Check for false neutrals - wheelies take their toll on the gearbox.