Living in South Africa I must say that the GF170 is perfect. I have had my bike now for just over a week and am very happy with it, I drive 0km a day on different road surfaces and the bike handles very well.
Light on fuel (50kmpl) and with the high fuel price my bike will pay itself off soon. Very good road handling and even though you do sit high it gives you the advantage that other drivers see you - our South African drivers are not used to bikes so this adds to it’s road saftey.
Your hands do tingle after 10km but after a few days you get use to it - invest in decent gloves, you won’t be sorry. The engine is not too loud, not too fast but full of power. I drive a road with three hills and use my brakes more for the cars infront ( BMW’s AUDIOS etc ) that can’t accelerate fast enough. The front braking is brilliant but do have a slight gripe about the rear brakes - too spongy but you get use to it and retains it grip even though I use it for a rather steep decline ( 300m )..
Looks great: Mean from the front, cute from behind - and the best looking bike in it’s price range. Well worth looking at if your budgets tight ( about 15% the cost of a new car for us ) or your just looking for something to take out for a weekend cruise.