I'll have two thanks...

The _only_ minter in the country, ISTR.

<quick google>

8 imported - 2 crashed, 5 exported.

If it's a minter, it's the only unmolested example in the UK.

 

Today I actually saw someone in the supermarket in shoes that looked
just like clown shoes.

 

No, it looked more like the simes unwanted lovechild.

 

<biggie snippie>

Yeah. I think lots of people, though, have bought bikes which on first
acquaintance seemed wonderful and then rapidly proved not to be so
wonderful as first thought.

The "nice and shiny, extra power" syndrome. Happened to me with my Honda
CB750 and then a BMW. Happened to Niall with his CX500 (and more
recently, his VFR and then his Varadero). I reckon it's happened to most
of us.

In fact, interesting question, to all and sundry:

What bikes have you bought that you went off, very quickly?

 

I don't think I would. I might buy it to have it cutaway'd[1], like
those display bikes in shows, just to demonstrate exactly why it was so
special in its conception and engineering.

I wouldn't want to ride it, because (by all accounts, and bering in mind
I haven't ridden one) it's a very underwhelmind experience.


[1] I've discovered the firm that does these engines. It's a UK
operation, and utterly amazing. They've done everything from a moped to
a FOAD marine diesel for a big trawler. A visit with notebook and camera
has to be made.

 

Five grand? FIVE GRAND? You spent ukp5000 on that thing?

Worth it just for the noise, sez I.

 

Well, not many 50k milers, obviously, but of the half dozen or so
officially brought into the UK, ISTR only two survive, the rest having
been extensively lobbed/repaired/lobbed/repaired (mainly thanks to journos
-- ah, /that/ topic again)...

This one I believe belonged to HUK.

 

As in my response to BB, I believe this one belongs to Honda. It's
clearly /been/ ridden, but there's none of the crash-damage evident on the
other one I've seen.

 

Yeah, yeah... they'll build about 5 of them and give them to wank...er,
sorry, 'celebrities' who could pay for one with a month's shoe budget.

 

I really, really liked that bike. Immense fun to ride, apart from its
odd desire to want to go in a straight line all the time - it had to be
wrestled into corners, but once there, it went round OK. Crap gauge, as
you say, but then all the air-cooled GT/GPz bikes had crap fuel gauges.
And that winking red light that drove you mad.

 

Heh. Rather a good typo, under the circs.

 

It's a 1000cc engine that probably won't see more
than 3K miles on it from most of the owners. Not
that difficult to do.

 

None so far.

The SV I liked, then liked more, then at about 15-18K miles I was
thinking of swapping it, but then something with my riding changed and
it was great again. Even more so when I changed the fork oil.

The RS125 was a hoot from the off. I thought it was cool and birds
flashed their tits at me[1]. It was great on the twisties, and if I
could change to a racing-snake profile I'd have another.

The TS50 was a bit on the slow side (ahem), but as I didn't know any
better I was happy with it.

The AF1 125 was taken from me before I had chance to go off it.

 

Wik <> burbled:

http://www.savagenet.com/oz/Oz/

 

I can think of a few:

Z400J - sold on it being in the Lawson replica colours, but soon found
out it was a gutless money-pit. Ended up with it throwing piston off a
rod at about 80mph.

My 2nd Divvy 600 - for some reason it was significantly slower than my
first one, had good memories of them as I'd racked up over 80k miles on
the first one, but I soon outgrew it. Too slow and once I'd started to
grind the pegs out I thought it would be safer to sell it.

CBX750 - still a bit undecided on this one. I'm convinced there was a
good bike in there somewhere, but that mine felt horrible due to it
being a bit fucked in terms of suspension and tyres. Tempted to try a
good one to see if I'm right.

 

No, it was ugly birds have personality.

Its ugly bikes that have character.

 

Well /I/ am a fan.
;-p

 

There's a guy in work has got a new prilly with a front like that -
looks like it's designed for robotic sexual congress. One bike you
*can* **** right between the eyes.

--
Platypus - Faster Than Champ
VN800 Drifter, R80RT
DIAABTCOD#2 GPOTHUF#19
BOTAFOS#6 BOTAFOT#89 FTB#11
BOB#1 SBS#35 ANORAK#18 TWA#15

 

http://www.ozzyhead.com/albums/tech.jpg

 

I thought you rode it right round the M25 or something?

<Thinks>

Yes, that would do it.