True. But while fun, I'm not sure I want to go that far back. I owned a R5C when it was a new bike. Every 10 miles, new top end. I had an SR500 in the late nineties through around 2004, it had a really really tough life prior to my ownership, and never fully recovered. I got tired of throwing money at it and constantly fixing things, went out and bought the (then new) FZ6. That finally got traded for the Tenere, although I still miss it from time to time. Only have so big a garage, and can only ride one at a time....
Biggest problems with old bikes is, just like old cars, they are lousy daily drivers. I remember the fun and games keeping all of my air cooled carburated two strokes going. I still have the jets and such to start all over again if necessary. But between the short engine life, constant fiddling, poor fuel mileage, evil handling, I'm not sure i really want to go back. Plus, old bikes and even many modern two strokes don't care too much for the stuff we call gas these days. Even my new FI bikes don't like it.
Now if they make it a new-old bike, so it looks old, but works like new ones (suspension too!), I'll be a happy camper. I don't do much to either my Tenere or WR250R except ride them, fill up with gas, and change the oil yearly. Rubber when needed. That's pretty hassle free.
If you look at the SR photos, you can see it is FI. They need to offer it in British Racing Green. If they do bring it in, I'll scrape up the jack and get one. I'll then have to reestablish my relationship with Mark at Thumper Stuff. Great guy to know if you have a old thumper.
www.thumperstuff.com
I almost bid on this a while back, but decided I had enough things to deal with. Pretty nice though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-Yamaha-TZR-250-RS-Racing-Sport-3XV8-Dry-Clutch-California-Rare-/330697321908?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item4cff18adb4#ht_34832wt_1167