Thanks Ray, the answer to your question is....the bike only has 15,000 miles on the clock even though it is a 1998 model, when I bought the bike it was just like a new one it just had 300 miles on the clock..I have had the bike for about 5 years now, I suspect it is an American import....My answer to the last two comments.....no way a sissy bike!!! I love it,it rides great what ever the weather....And still is a real head turner.( and you know how much rain we Brits get)...just a shame about the shaft thing.