>I happen to think that Yamaha did not bring out the GTS too soon they just didnt >>develope it any further.
I think it was too soon for the masses. But it wasn't soon enough for me!! When I was a much younger lad, nearly 30 years ago, I used to look at pictures of Kenny Roberts riding a TZ350 or TZ750 bike in races. (No cable then!). I'd marvel at the way he could lean the bike over and how aerodynamic it was shaped. (Still pretty good for the time!) I remember thinking,"If only they made a bike that looked like that race bike but was street legal, how cool would that be?" I presented the ideas to my other biker buddies who immediately began to laugh at such a bizarre idea. (Hah, who's laughing now!!) So, long story short, I'd wish that someone, primarily Yamaha, would have started to produce street-race-style bikes a long time ago. (And yeah, I went the 'cafe' style for a while, crap, there wasn't anything else close to a street/race bike back then. But that's another story...) ;^) >The price when it came out was comparable to the BMW R1100rs which I rode and >>considered at the time. That may be true, but I have to say, the price was a major barrier for me when the bike came out. I remember walking into the dealership and seeing the bike in the middle of a long row of bikes. It just grabbed my eye. I kept telling my wife who was with me at the time, "This is it, this is the bike I've always wanted" Only then, did I look at the price tag and immediately commented, "....but just not yet.") I was almost crying when I left the dealership. Sniff. So I waited for three years, going in annually to visit the dealer and watch the price drop every year. I ended up buying the very bike I looked at on the floor, three years older and a coupla hundred miles on it. (The shop manager would sneak it out for pleasure rides through Napa Valley!) >The GTS has far more sporting potential which is why I bought it. Me too. >If Yamaha had over the next couple years made it lighter and added some of the >power >they took away I think it may well have been a hit. _If_ they had continued it. Sadly, it didn't happen. >Handeling of the GTS is still far superior to any forked bike I have ridden. My comment to that is this, It is the most confidence-inspiring bikes that I have ever ridden. And I've ridden plenty over the years. Others may have an opinion on it, some for valid reasons, but I like the way it steers and handles and brakes. And I *really* like the way it looks sitting in my driveway. Or the local restaurant. Or espresso cafe. Yeah. Especially the espresso cafe. Yup...yup..... Brandon (sipping on an espresso and thus having time to whip out a longish reply...ok. I'm done with the espresso. Ciao!)
