Poor old Motorbikes, ay?

Short of tricycles, they’re the gaming world’s least favourite automotive simulator (let’s face it – you’d definitely play a Unicycle Racer if it existed).

But like the annoying, traffic dodging weavers the genre inspires so readily, the MotoGP franchise has long been gathering pace in the unnoticed slipstream of its four-wheeled rivals.

The requisite 10/11 update is no exception, excelling at pleasing the hardcore but proving about as pick-up-and-playable as its spiritual cousin Gran Turismo.

But take a deep breath, prepare to see your rider flung off his bike time after time, and if you’ve got the patience, you’ll soon find yourself gripped by the numerous factors affecting your casual race – the weight of your rider, the perfect timing needed to prevent said arse-over-titness, and the thrill of the perfect overtake.

If you can throw off the generalised control system of your average arcade racer, then the Career Mode is as sturdy and balanced as *furiously researches famous bikers for slim analogy*, erm, Harley Davidson?

Fans of the genre will be familiar with the set-up, as you race your rider through season after season through the ranks (from the piddly 125cc to MotoGP), with the option of pimping your bike, crew, rider and even bring on marketing and engineering teams to help support your career aspirations, no matter how intricate.

You’re awarded in ‘Rep’ points (XP for non-biking nerds) which you earn off the back of poor or exceptional performances (driving facefirst into sand = bad, overtaking without Road Rage-ing into another rider = Good).

There’s also Challenge, World Championship and Multiplayer modes, with a brand spanking offline co-op bringing a healthily communal air to your gameplay. The online support is equally impressive but suffers from its up to 20 people races; in a sport where precision is King, 8-year-old joyriders intent on using your bumper as a brake are not the most fun gaming companions.

Like GT, it’s also stuffed to the rafters with licensing and real-life riders to compliment its slick visuals and ensure fans of the series are getting their just desserts in buying into another update.

If you’re a hardcore arcade racer, it’s unlikely to sway you back to the land of the two-wheeler, but for fans of the series it’s a steady and accomplished step-up – and for everyone else, who knows? This might be the gear change you’ve been looking for.

[Rating:4/5]

MotoGP 10/11 is on General Release now, and available on Xbox 360 and PS3.