Yes, they really are rubbish...
I owned one from new, many years ago. I loved the quirky/funky looks, but it all fell apart when you rode it.
The engine was gutless, and suffered from bad vibrations, but was acceptable for bimbling purposes. The grip from the factory tyres was woeful, and because of the vibrations, bits used to work loose and fall off!
I got the large factory windshield included in the deal, but it proved impossible to fit, so much for Italian engineering. I was also horrified at the corrosion of the cheap metal parts over a winter, despite being garaged. The engine ran roughly even with less than 2000 miles on the clock - it certainly didn't inspire confidence.
It was cheap to buy new, with a big discount, but I struggled to sell it at any price. The chap that bought it thought he'd got a real bargain for an almost 'new' bike, but he couldn't fix the rough running, despite new parts and lots of tinkering.
To be fair, they are a great-looking bike from a distance, and I do still have a soft spot for them, but if I was to buy another it would be strictly for show, with no desire to ride the thing on a regular basis - and it would need to be very, very cheap!
Posted: 24/12/2011 at 08:06
