Just bought a 1998, in red. It has a Micron exhaust that I hope to be replacing soon (witth the stock pipe) and other than that i think it is stock. I bought it from a dentist and he said he used it at trackdays a few times. It has 47,000 kms on it. It needed new rubber and I'm going to have the triple clamp bearings done. Took it out for a good spin on Saturday and it looks like I'd have no problems losing my license if I wanted to. It seemed more comfortable than my Suzuki SV650-S when I test rode it but now I don't know if it is really any better. I may need helbars, must be getting old. The lowering kit may hep too.
Great bike, and don't be too modest cuz Toronto is the finest city in North America !!! How tall are you ?? Lowering the bike reduces suspension travel, compromises handling, and is not recommended, but the seat foam can easily be modified for a lower seating position. Riders on bikes new to them almost always think at first about lowering the bike (girls especially), but you need to simply get used to the bike AS IT IS and resist the lowering idea until you've done at least 600kms riding.
Its not that I'm short but the seat seems to be slanted so you fall down into the tank if you don't prop yourself up with your arms. The body parts that come in contact with the tank are vital to my well-being. I notice a lot of bikes with slanted seats. The worst I tried was a Triumph RT with a U-shaped seat, definitely for girls only. Maybe my seat needs to be carved and I think helibars may be required.
