Originally Posted by
pizzaguy
I think of it as the "Crossfire's Cousin" because:
1) It was made during the Crossfire years.
2) It was marginally successful - both the 900 and 1700 versions are still made to this day, but the 2000 just didn't sell.
3) It is kind of a unicorn these days, parts are not easy to find other than oil filters, tires, fluids and belts.
4) No one seems to know what it is, but it sure gets a LOT of attention. Every time I sit on the curb at DQ eating my ice cream, I get comments and questions - just like the Crossfire.
5) Its resale value is not what it should be. I bought an awesome toy for (not a lot of) cash and people act like it's something special, which it is - just like a Crossfire.
When I Iived in England, Harleys we’re looked down on, we preferred our Triumphs, BSAs, Nortons etc. You could always tell where a UK bike had been parked as it left it’s mark, just like a tom cat. The finest bikes came from Italy, they had beautifully made castings and great finishes. Buying a Japanese bike was tantamount to treason, they were crap actually at that time.
My motorcycling days coincided with the Japanese racing beginnings. At the Isle of Man TT races the first year they had mixed results, fast bikes but too many Japanese riders were killed, the Italian teams won the big bike races. The next year the Japanese put European riders on their bikes and won most of the smaller engine races by wide margins. They then started to build bigger engined bikes and we know how that went.
My biking days ended soon after a car ran into the side of my bike just missing my leg. But driving that Austin was not the same as driving down unlit country roads with all the light that the 6 volt Lucas, prince of darkness headlight could put out.
Those were the days my friend we thought they’d never end ……..