Yamaha GTS1000

Had one of these about ten years ago. Bit heavy, but great for touring. Rather expensive when new which put a lot of people off, so it wasn't the success that Yamaha were hoping for. The main feature that makes it stand out from the crowd is, of course, the hub centre steering which does away with conventional front forks. Makes for a very smooth ride and means you can brake in corners without affecting handling (no forks to compress under braking and wheelbase doesn't shorten when braking). Low slung engine and underseat petrol tank lower centre of gravity which further enhances handling (traditional petrol tank area houses airbox). Engine is basically the FZR1000, but slighly detuned and reset to provide greater midrange, housed in an 'Omega' frame. Altogether a fine machine which one bike mag recently voted 'coolest bike' (or some such title). Few were produced in the years '93 to '96 so those that survive are a rare breed. Spotted a one owner example recently that's only done about 7000 miles priced at a very reasonable four grand. Bargain. And surely a future classic. (Photo 'borrowed' from some other site.)