My head agrees totally with what you say @Paddy Barratt, uncomfortable and compromised for sure but, and this may only be me, my heart doesn’t. I’ve ridden a lot of bikes in my life, but I never quite felt like a giddy kid getting on and riding any Japanese production bike, however powerful or fast. An 888 - SP or Spada, shabby or pristine, stirs my soul. Something you love just to know is in the garage, and every time you see it, it sends a tingle down your spine. A ride is an event every time. 996 does the same thing. RC30 or OW01 750s give the same. Some bikes are more than the sum of their parts, or their stats. Special.
I agree Jon but we are talking cost and value here and i am just giving my opinion as to why an SP5 couldn't even reach reserve now. I spent many years with several Bevell 900SS so i know what you mean about stirs the soul but a pristine 76 blue and gold SS was £30k+ before covid, now you would be very lucky to see even £20k. The classic bike market now is miniscule and only the very very good bikes make above the average their peers of all makes, make. People have to really drop their expectations and value the bike at todays prices and not at what they paid for it pre covid. Its a totally different market now.
