Well, it might have been when new. 

"Underpowered, overweight, and past it" - Me, November 1999. 

Honestly, I thought it was still okay, but then I had a ride on a new Blackbird. And the bells began to toll for the CBR. 

I bought it in April '92, upon the demise of the cams in my GPz750R. 

£4750, for a two-year old 'G' plater, with 1,492 miles on the clock. Two previous owners, too. Linda loved the comfy seat, I loved the fact that it went like stink. 

Since then it's covered 55,000 miles in eight years, including trips to France, Wales, and Italy. Mostly it has taken us to work, nearly every day, too. 

The motor makes good power, right through the range, with a definite kick at 7k. 

Fuel consumption in the mid to high thirties, tank range around 170 miles. 

One French dawn, whilst heading down the A10, I was looking at the road, sky, scenery, etc.[1], then looked down to see the speedo indicating over 130 mph. It felt like 80. This is where the CBR excels, eating miles, preferably Motorway, or fast A roads. It gets a bit unwieldy in the twisties, but never out of shape. It is overweight, sure, but then who am I to criticise? 

Being a Honda, of course, a quick rinse with a hose, and it looks like a much newer bike. I would love to find the Honda bod who though white was a good colour for the wheels. 

Mechanically, it has had the following replaced:- (plus tyres, pads, chains & sprox) Brake disks, exhaust system (Nexxus), brake hoses, fork springs, shock.(Hagon) Not too much, in eight years. 

Now the gearbox countershaft has given up the ghost. A winter project, if ever there was. 

I think I shall keep it, after all. That said, I kept it to use when the weather was shite, and now it won't start. It's probably sulking. 

Anyway, it's Tabs' problem now. Eh, Mat? 

[1] Like you do on empty m'ways.