I wonder if your friend is confusing his Paso with the F1 of the same era. The F1s were the racers' breed; a taller bike, still with a squarish headlight but less body coverage - some of the trellis is exposed towards the rear. But similar to the Pasos at a glance.

However, as Skins says, the Paso is a sport-tour. Most race-bikes didn't come with clocks, oil temp gauges and cushy seats built for two-up. Otherwise, the 'Limiteds' were white - you can find some production numbers listed - these are from a recent Ian Falloon book. If you have a VIN, I might be able to check that and see if it's listed in the book.

Out of curiosity, what are these 'factory race pipes'? Cobra F1s? Post a pic if you can ... that might help, too.

Mr nibble - gotta agree with what has been said here - rather than buying the bike for what what it 'might' be - buy it for what it is (750 Paso Limited), & for what it will be to you if purchased - a great 'all-rounder' of a bike, that has character, & makes the 'right' noises........ :lick: :lick: :lick: (If by chance you don't want the pipes - I'd be happy to send enuff money to see them exported to me!!!)

Skins - sounds like you got yours cheap enough too - when I brought mine 3.5yrs ago, 906s were still fetching NZ$8-9000, when & if they were around on dealer floors - paid a bit less than that for mine as a private sale, but seen all that were avaliable in NZ at the time, before buying it.......
BTW Skins - theres a Paso 750 & a mint 851 on Trade-me at the moment (& yes - if I could afford it - I'd probably send the guy a cheque for the 851 , based on rariety, & condition.........)

BTW, I paid $3800 USD for my blue '88 750 about three years ago. Saved it from a barn with only 4011 mi, bone stock. Only 'damage' was that mice had eaten the upper corner of the owner's manual.

I don't see many Limiteds around - certainly none around here, but I haven't seen any other Pasos around central NY either. I have seen some Limited skins on ebay though ...

Otherwise, nibble - I'd put all Pasos on the 'endangered species' list. Not a lot of them around, and most of them are red. I would agree that only 200 Limiteds were exported to the States in '88 - that seems plausible, but worldwide I'm sure there's more than that ...

Gosh, Duck, it's interesting that you saw all the 906s available in NZ when you bought yours! How many were there? I think 906s and 907s fetch more than 750s as a rule. I will have a look at Trademe (I do regularly) but I can't see me replacing La Perla in the forseeable future - on a short ride this Sunday she felt wonderful again.

Faster, do you know exactly what a 'Limited' is, apart from being white? My bike is not one, of course, being originally red.

Skins - there was only 3 avaliable at the time - took the red one down in Christchurch for a testride, & would have brought that bike, but while I was thinking about it for a week - had a photo sent to me of 'mine' from Tauranga. Fell more in love with that, so went & 'had a look', & rode the girl back after test ride confirmed it was definitely 'mine'.......

Then shortly afterwards, a slightly damaged 907 came up for sale locally, at a good price............. (don't ya hate it when that happens!!!)

Weren't the limited just a paint job & limited "sticker" to try & boost sales inthe US? They look good (& that comes from a man that believes Ducati's should be red!).

I paid $7000 for mine about 2 year ago in OZ. I bought it from my Brother for the trade price he was offered on a brand spankers new 1000DS Monster. Interestingly he rode it a month ago & offered to buy it back should I decide to part with her in the future. He thinks it would compliment the Monster & his 900MHR. :thumbup:

I have ridden the MHR (not to be confused with the MHE which was the new evolution bike, His MHR is 1981 vintage 900). This is the most amazing bike I have ever ridden. I have ridden it over distance on the road where you need to be sitting on 130+ km/hr to get the wind under your chest to releive the pain on your wrists. But that aside it is an incrediblely well handling machine. My bro & I did a Ride day at Eastern Creek in Sydney a few years back & swapped bikes for a session ( I was on the K100RS as it was pre-Paso). The BMW was by far faster down the main straight where it would pass the Hailwood mid straight but come into the turns (particularily the very fast turn 1) & the Hailwood walked all over the BMW. I have never ridden something that was so stable in a corner. I have ridden a lot of bikes & a fair few Ducati old & new & nothing has ever come close to the handling of this thing. My sister had a 600 pantah of similiar vintage & that was great but not the same as this MHR. Everything about this bike just oozes character. the sound of the Conti pipes (I think he actually has Staintune conti replicas nowdays & the Contis are hanging in the shed) was absolutely awesome. Every other rider there would stop & just stare awestruck as the Hailwood charged down the straight (being convincingly passed by the latest Jap Superbikes). It made it rather embarrassing then when I dropped it down a cog into turn 1 & found a false nuetral that then dropped in just as I was about to go bush, saved it though & got an ovation next time round (not that I could hear it over the Duke). To ride is very different because you sit so much taller than other bikes & it is always a challenge to kick start a 900 twin, especialy when being watched by 30 other riders.

It is very much like the Paso (with webers at least) in that it is not the bike you ride round town to pose on. It wants to be ridden on open & twisty roads. We have done tours together where he loaded it & carried the little lady on the back for 2-3 week trips & it was very capable, funny to watch him have to start it & then the missus would load the tankbag etc on as he could not kick start it with a full pack sitting on the tank.

I can certianly see why Mike Hailwood had the grin he did, it was from this bike! :thumbup:

Yes, Red, it ocurred to me after I posted the question that it might be a MHR, and not an MHRe, but it was interesting to read your reply anyway. Thanks.

There's an MHR living just around the corner from me in fact, but the guy doesn't take it out much, as he's just looking after it for someone - has been for several years, actually. I've had a pretty good look at it, but would never have the cheek to ask for a ride.

Hmmm - I could probably tolerate having to look after a bike like that for a couple of years too Skins :thumbup: :thumbup:

(Obviously - I must be getting aroud with the wrong sorta people - have'nt had the offer yet..... )