Ok my thoughts.
start with a 50,000k 2002 bussa. well cared for but well used!
lets spend up getting it back into shape.
new steering head bearings plus labour,
new wheel bearings plus labour,
respray and decals,
repair any ageing to alloy parts, anodising plus labour,
re powder coating wheels,
new larger rotors, Brake pads, braided lines,
reco brake calipers,
new levers, reco brake, clutch master cylinders,
reconditioning forks or upgrading,
reconditioning or replacing rear shock,
new swing arm bearings, link bearings,
replace chain and sprockets,
New tyres,
Full service, fluids and tappets,
new cam chain and tensioner,
New clutch plates and springs,
get the seat re skinned.
Now we have a ten year old design riding and look as good as it did when new!
It will guzzle more fuel than a gen 2,
the speedo will still show 50,ooo klm
will still look out dated next to a gen2
will still have 50,000 k of wear rattles in the motor,
the gear box will still feel lose,
wont go as hard as a gen 2
and you will lose a lot of money when you decide to trade in the future.
Buy a gen 2 and you will benefit on suzuki's improvements learnt from
10yrs with the original design, save on repairs and fuel.
when your on the gen2, the ugly arse is not what you will be looking at,
but that new dash will keep you happy.
i had the chance to dyno a gen 1 and go for a decent ride, then a couple of days later i got my hands on a gen 2 then did the same ride.
gen 1 had engine noises rattles normal for 50 k plus,
lots of bottom end torque, felt raw and rode like a bike with 50,oooks
The gen2 was way better to ride in every aspect. It was modern, quite and felt like a modern bike.
always wanted a Gen1 until i rode the gen 2!
i like the torque of the gen 1 with the smoothness of the gen2
so i brought Blackbird