Faults:

Bike was missing carbs.

Brakes seized (front).

Rear brake shaft seized.

General Comments:

I bought the bike as I liked the older styling.

Ideal bike for touring bike. Rock solid on the road, and very comfortable.

Fitting the carbs is a good way of measuring how your patience has decreased! But has improved my french language!!

Always fit new rubbers, can be done, but so much easier when replaced.

As someone else on here has already written, if you're not looking for back breaking performance or leaving the traffic behind to catch up at the next lights, but being able to walk when you reach your destination, or just having an enjoyable ride, this bike will do it all in relaxed comfort.

Faults:

Back shocker bushes,

General Comments:

Pretty quick for what it is, I bought it as a do up hack and it's good fun. Cost me about £250 in total including the few parts I've had to buy to get it roadworthy.

Not for speed freaks, once you get near 100mph it gets scary, and you've no protection from the wind and rain.

Good on fuel, narrow for filtering in town yet powerful enough to overtake easily out on the A-roads.

Faults:

Starter solenoid wore out, cost £17.50

General Comments:

Having ridden sports and off road bikes for some time, I always wanted a proper bike, a bike from my teens. I purchased a GT550 for £410 and watched my insurance drop to £75.00 (which has 3 speeding convictions to allow for). Luckily I am in my forties and my back can't take 100mph+ with my ass above my head and blue lights behind.

The GT was a wish of mine and hasn't disappointed; yes it isn't that quick, but can still exceed the speed limit.

Some say it's ugly, but it's all bike in that it has two wheels, a fit 550 engine, and on most urban or rural roads, keeps up with my friends on their superfast kill you quick or break your back trying R1s. I let those friends wait for me at motorway service stations while they straighten up and regain use of their limbs.

The point where my 90mph armchair and I go past with half a tank left.

Yes it has faults! It's nearly 20 years old, however most can be fixed at the side of the road with a small tool kit. GT owners will know how reliable and repairable this bike is. Mine will remain in my ownership till some idiot pulls out and flattens it, and my little tool kit won't help... till then god loves a classic ride.

Faults:

Speed cables snap now and again.

rear suspension shot.

General Comments:

Introduced in the very early 1980's, this is a courier favourite. I came to them late in 1992, and it seemed a nice bike when new. My final drive on one was on a clapped out example in 2004. The suspension had either gone, or compared to a Honda Hornet, it has none. It is that bad. So I never want to ride another.

A tall upright bike with a 4 gallon petrol tank. A fuel gauge is included.

No wind protection is offered.

The speedo and rev counter break if the bike falls over, and they are very expensive to replace.

A rear carrier is fitted as standard.

It's quite ugly, not hideous like a CX 500, but just ugly.

Powered by a 50hp @ 9,000 rpm, 4 cylinder 2 valve per cylinder motor, it is no fireball. Top speed of around 110mph, and it returns 45mpg easily. It will cover high mileages without problems if not thrashed.

I have travelled thousands of miles on these bikes. They are dependable, having never broken down on me. Production stopped recently, so now only available second hand. A couriers bike or distance machine for a mature rider. Most are blue or red.

A dull but dependable machine.