The best motorcycles to take to a driving school and learn how to ride safely and effectively are ones that have conventional designs, often manufactured by trusted brands such as Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Ducati.

However, much like how the Rover Safety Bicycle was so revolutionary when it was first made in the 1880s that it has become the basis for practically every pedal bike since, some motorcycles were light years ahead of their time and pioneered developments that have been adopted in the years since.

Sometimes, sadly, these bikes were so ahead of their time that they could not capitalise on their revolutionary design philosophies.

BMW K1

Much like its four-wheeled predecessor the M1, the BMW K1 was as truly a radical bike by the German manufacturer as it appeared thanks to its exceptionally 1980s bodywork design and a laundry list of radical features.

Whilst it was far from the first road motorcycle with 16-valves, it was one of the first to have fuel injection, anti-lock brakes and a distinct focus on aerodynamics that most bikes tended to eschew. After all, most of the drag reduction would be thanks to the rider.

However, it was marketed as a performance motorcycle whilst delivering less power than much cheaper competitors. 

The idea was that aerodynamics would counteract this loss of power, but the looks proved a point of contention and vibrations caused by the engine’s position caused a lot of buyers to be put off.

However, without its technological strides, the hyperbike would effectively not exist.

Kawasaki Zephyr

Whilst Kawasaki is a name mostly associated with bright green superbikes and has been for decades, the Zephyr from 1992 was a surprisingly unique model from the Japanese company in that it was a retro bike before the concept had truly solidified.

Whilst its styling and air-cooled engine were a distinct throwback, the wheels, brakes, clock and suspension springs were up to date, making it the best way for a relatively new rider to get a taste of classic machinery.

However, the 1990s were not a good time for celebrating the past, and the Zephyr, unfortunately, proved to be a pioneer in the worst way; it had the right idea at the wrong time, and everyone else capitalised on the future Kawasaki saw coming.