I chose the CGT because of the brakes, frame, power compared to the 500 (though it's still lacking) and good looks. I was also hoping it would be a chick magnet... unfortunately it appears to be a bloke magnet. Went shopping today and in side 20 minutes 3 guys collared me and asked about the bike.
I wanted a bike I could work on myself. A simple and economical bike, a bike I could handle as I get older, pick up if I dropped it. Something to play with, be versatile and allow me to tweak from bog standard, to cafe racer to scrambler/ street tracker within a day or so. Something not to expensive and with good support and I didn't mean from the manufacture.
I also wanted something with some grunt.
I didn't intend to buy a new machine. I went to see a second hand one that turned out to be sold and the dealer wooed me. Also the new one seemed better value. Partly because the CGT seems to hold it's price and also because the dealer needed space for 15 new MV Augusta so offered me a deal. In the end I figured the 1000 difference between a 2018 machine and a 2016 was probably worth it. I also think it's a future classic given the pretty short run it's good looks and being at the top end of the range.
The things I didn't expect from it:
Japanese build quality, power, and the heat shield to vibrate off after 250 miles! I mean I read they vibrate and to check the bolts but 50 miles before first service was due just adds insult to injury.
The things I dislike about it:
The fact I will have/will have to spend to make as I'd like it to be coming out of the factory. I'm thinking anti-vibration plate, mirrors you can see in, dual seat and more power. But no bike ticks every box.