Is it a bitser?

[Grant]

I've got a U.S. model that reads in MPH, not kilometers.

Here's a pic of the plate on the head.  It looks like mine was made in June 2002 although registered as a 2003 bike.  I used the link to look up the serial number and it identified the bike as a Rosso Mandello which is consistent with the grey paint on the side panels and cowl when I got the bike.

Those twin 320mm brakes on the front sure slow the bike down in a hurry :-).  I got some Mothers grease and bug remover which combined with Autosol liquid metal cleaner made the exhaust headers much easier to look at.

Grant.

 

 

 

[O2 V11]

Grant,

It looks like you have a similar bike to mine. A US spec 2002 model Sport Naked, not the Rosso Mandello variant. Your production number is reasonably close to mine, ZGUKRAKR53M114957. The Rosso Mandello was a short frame variant, yours is not. Our Sport Nakeds were available  in Grey, a Citrus Green colour and Burgundy like yours. All had grey tailpieces and sidecovers. The insert in the sidecover looks like mine and not that of a Rosso Mandello. Yours looks like it has a tail tidy and different handle bars/ risers and mirrors fitted.

What I call a 2003 model is a different beast, fuel tank, headers, gauges, engine paint and colour schemes were among the changes made.

Rob

[docc]

42 minutes ago, O2 V11 said:

Grant,

It looks like you have a similar bike to mine. A US spec 2002 model Sport Naked, not the Rosso Mandello variant. Your production number is reasonably close to mine, ZGUKRAKR53M114957. The Rosso Mandello was a short frame variant, yours is not. Our Sport Nakeds were available  in Grey, a Citrus Green colour and Burgundy like yours. All had grey tailpieces and sidecovers. The insert in the sidecover looks like mine and not that of a Rosso Mandello. Yours looks like it has a tail tidy and different handle bars/ risers and mirrors fitted.

What I call a 2003 model is a different beast, fuel tank, headers, gauges, engine paint and colour schemes were among the changes made.

Rob

Welldone, @O2 V11!

 

[Grant]

11 hours ago, O2 V11 said:

Grant,

It looks like you have a similar bike to mine. A US spec 2002 model Sport Naked, not the Rosso Mandello variant. Your production number is reasonably close to mine, ZGUKRAKR53M114957. The Rosso Mandello was a short frame variant, yours is not. Our Sport Nakeds were available  in Grey, a Citrus Green colour and Burgundy like yours. All had grey tailpieces and sidecovers. The insert in the sidecover looks like mine and not that of a Rosso Mandello. Yours looks like it has a tail tidy and different handle bars/ risers and mirrors fitted.

What I call a 2003 model is a different beast, fuel tank, headers, gauges, engine paint and colour schemes were among the changes made.

Rob

Thanks for your post Rob.  Our bikes are closely related for sure.  

I changed the mirrors hoping the rectangular, longer mirrors would let me see around me.  They still aren't wide enough.  The bars were set up with 4 inch risers when I bought the bike and give a sit up position when riding.  Very comfortable.  No regrets on the Puig windshield either.  It covers wind buffeting well.  I like the look of the tail tidy too.

I expect the 2003 model isn't that different to ride than what we have in spite of the list of changes.

 

Keep the rubber side down.

Grant.