Mmm, someone on here sells quality TPS's, now who was it Seems the early MTS's were more reliable than the later ones at least.
I suspect you will find it's simply that far more 1200 have been sold. My 2004 model would eat tyres and batteries if you let it, had erratic tickover, the dash is susceptible to a pixel failure, and engines are the same as the old SS ones anyway with far less tech. You're comparing apples with bacon.
Fuel tank has a habit due to it's shape of having air locks so often you will fill up at the pump showing full and even 2 miles later it will show 3/4's. I found filling it up a bit like a lottery win, your going to get it wrong more than get it right. The side stand is too short meaning some in certain circumstances, fell over. The seat also is harder than it needs to be. Later 2005 models sorted out both but you can retrofit a longer 2005 sidestand or weld a blob on about 3/4 inch that will help and the dp comfort seat is better than standard. Flakey engine paint but that is pretty standard on most open front bikes. The dash, check it is all lighting up and has all the digital parts working, it was not unknown for the earlier ones to have dashes replaced so check the mileage history too. As these get cheaper, people tend to skip some of the needed services, if you haven't had the belts done then budget in around £400 (at an independent) including a normal service to and then get them to check the throttle bodies are running right too. Some feel comfortable to do them themselves Beyond that, a great bike to ride and definately one to try. Would money allow then I would probably skip the 1000 and go to the 1100 as most of the issues were sorted out and again if lucky, get the S over the standard. There are loads of threads on the 1000 and a search will help greatly
Judge a book by it's cover and you may just miss the best ride of your life *scrunchysexfaceoftheoldsmileys*
I'm not sure if they changed the type of plastic used for the instrument pod towards the end of aircooled production run, but it's sad to learn that it's really poorly thought out and just by dismantling a 14 year old (03/04) unit (no matter how carefully you perform separation/reassembly) you risk damaging the perimeter where the fixing screws are. I'm not talking about light damage either, the cracks that appear can compromise any tightening of the screws. If you carefully study the whole perimeter of the unit it's possible you will see tiny cracks already before you even contemplate dismantling. To sum up:- The instrument unit is a fragile/keep out of the rain item - a real shame.
