You can store any small bag or briefcase but not a helmet under the elongated flat seat, under you and your passenger.

This Yamaha offers a great riding position with generous legroom; with only Henri voicing some discomfort before negotiating a more comfortable position - for shorter distances only however.

Alexandra said she felt at one with the funky little machine, while Michel marveled at its "Cruiser look", emphasized by the non-functional fork extensions.

The C³ displayed adequate balance on the road. For Pascal, the ride and performance more than satisfied his needs, quickly reaching a high top speed without intimidating beginners.

YAMAHA BW's
Our overall favorite, the BW's looks pretty conventional - we see them everywhere - with the two dual round headlights and the fat tires that we recognize quickly. "It doesn't strike you at first, but there's definitely something about it that speaks to you," explained Donna.

Sales leader Yamaha BW's, with its familiar bug-eyed look and fat, confidence-inspiring tires. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)

The riding position was the most criticized, however. Many found the floorboard too narrow and the rider's seat either too wide or too short. Amyot claimed he had to slide over to the passenger section to find decent comfort. Storage proves adequate, but two-up riding forces you to move forward and end up too close to the handlebars.

What makes the BW's so great, then? One word: performance. The engine and CVT team up to deliver smooth takeoffs, safe passing manoeuvres and deliver close to 70 km/h if you wait long enough. The power surprised many of us, newbie Donna as well as veterans.

Men and women alike appreciated its competent handling and dynamic presence on the road. The suspension may have felt a bit too stiff at times, but it generally allowed our judges to ride anywhere and get the better of bumpy streets and softcore trails. This is one versatile two-wheeler!