What do you get for your money?
Old-school grunt with a bit of up-to-date bling. The frame and engine date back to 1997 and by modern standards the former is tall, wide and a bit ponderous, while the latter is low-revving, heavy and a bit crude. And if all that sounds like criticism, it’s not. It all adds up to a solid package.
Suspension - chunky upsidedown forks at the front and monoshock rear – is high quality and fully adjustable, though many riders find it too harsh as standard. Radial brakes on all versions are extremely effective, but the Brembos on 2008 and later
versions are reckoned to be superior to the earlier Nissins.
There are no electronic rider aids or gadgets - no quickshifters, ride-by-wire or traction control. In fact there wasn’t even an ABS option until 2011. For most owners this is a bonus - it’s an old-school bruiser that rewards an old-school riding style based on corner speed and feeling for grip, not a modern, electronically-tamed point-andshoot missile. For those wanting more trinkets, the R model from 2012 added an Öhlins shock and forks, PVM five-spoke wheels, a red sub-frame and a couple of bits of carbon-fibre trim.
What you get will depend on previous owners. Look for sensible upgrades like brighter headlights, heated grips, a chain-oiler and a front mudguard extender. Upgraded suspension is a bonus, too. Many will have aftermarket exhausts, so make sure the ECU has been re-mapped to suit.