Andy wrote:The NSR500V would spank that, in a fair fight (i.e. with equal riders)... and there's nothing wrong with modern treaded tyres on the 500Vs!

Agreed. You can have all the power in the world, but if you can't get it on the ground, it's wasted. What were they, 160-170bhp? The 500V had "only" 130-140 but weighed around the the same as the 250 and handled. No competition.
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If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.