Personally, I don't think they were/are any better than the other mid-range Japanese models of the era. That is to say they were a solid, good value bicycle. I think the model name helps elevate it a bit and then there those were prefer SunTour to Shimano. Some years had added features that appealed to many, such a tri-pulley derailleurs or bronzed anodized components. but overall I could be just as happy with comparable models from most other Japanaese brands. Basically, it is hard to go wrong with a mid-range Japanese model from the 1980s, with the arguable exception of 1st generation Accushift models.