What shall I get?

I know this is always a loaded question when you're in an enthusiast board but I'm just interested to see what people think.

I currently have an '05 S2R 800 and coming up to 2nd year of ownership and finishing second season.

I'm thinking about the following bikes:
S3
Brutale
Hypermotard
Daytona 675

Unfortunately, I haven't ridden any of them so I'm not sure about their relative performance/ridability.

Primarily I want a fun bike to ride in twisties, I do ride some highway miles but try to avoid it when I can. I get ~115 miles out of my S2R before the light comes on, I really want to get more than that. That means the hypermotard is probably going to fall down there. If it were available, I'd buy the Speed Triple 675 in a flash but I hear 08 and I want a new bike before then.

Any feedback? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help everyone, I've been enjoying lurking on this board.

I will be posting the same question on the MV forums as well.

[itchin]

You are gonna catch it here my friend. S3 freaks all the way. Any one of those bikes would be welcome in my garage, including your s2r. Go ride em.

[cheapbastard]

speed triple my friend, ya won't be disappointed! :-D As far as mileage range though, you're not look'n at that much better on the S3. IMO, the Brutale is just overpriced, but I do like that bike, thing of beauty! You just can't beat the S3 fer the price, only problem now is, they don't offer it in scorched yeller! :hammer: :-D

[Dobieman]

I think you have a nice short list

For the money its hard to beat the S3 for big naked bike, it rocks.
The Brutale has all the nice bits and exclusivity but $$$, do you have a good MV dealer / service close? Money doesn't matter this could be my choice.
If you go motard go KTM or keep what ya got.

Now if you can fit on the tiny D675 its awesome. I would have bought this bike if it came in plus size :razz:

[Devious2XS]

My .02
It all depends on how and where you ride.
The 675 is a fantastic bike on and off tracks.
The Speed Triple has been voted by many magazines (and many members here) as the best naked bike -with many smiles per mile.

The hypermotard and Brutalle are good bikes, but on this forum many have chosen the Speed Triple over many other choices.

Thanks for you comments guys (and sorry for not doing an introduction post before this question).

I really like the S3 but I've heard it's a bit twitchy in the front? Nothing a steering damper wouldn't fix of course but is that a valid comment?

The brutale is the bike a wanted to get when I started riding, I love the look but I'm a bit concerned about going from a twin to an I4. I've ridden my friend's R6 a fair bit and I have actually ridden the F4 750 so I have some idea but just not sure about it ya know?

Biggest issue for me is that I've never ridden a 3 cylinder bike. The S3 is amazing value for money and, as much as people say the styling is love it or hate it, I love it.

Does the S3 get that amazing V12-esque sound when you rev it out? Where's the redline?

I'm 5' 11" and ~160 so I'll fit all of these bikes but I'm not really a sportbike guy so I was thinking the d675 would be an awesome bike to turn into a street fighter.

The hypermotard is an awesome looking bike but obviously, no one outside Ducati has ridden it.

I have a great dealer near where I live that carries Ducati, MV and Triumph, so no dramas there.

Thanks again guys.

[premier]

I bought myself a speedy purely based on its good looks. I didn't even test ride it because I didn't have license at the time. I simply "had to" get it. Am I disappointed? No :razz:

[cheapbastard]

steve-o forgot to tell ya one thing. When it comes to street riding, my speed triple is the best purchase I've made on a 2 wheeler over the 11 years I've been riding. It does everything so darn good, from commuting, to terrorizing the twisties. That being said, go your own way and get that roulette green today!!! :-D

[cheapbastard]

the sound??? Simply erotic! I love the 3 cylinder motor, torque down low like a twin without all the shake, and good hp up top like a inline 4. The best of both worlds! :-D One more time steve-o, get it!!! :yayyy: :yayyy:

Thanks cheapbastard, it's certainly one of the best looking naked bikes on the road at the moment IMO (and probably everyone's opinion on this board :wink: ).

I'd be getting black. :-D

I've heard that it's the best of both worlds but having never tried it, it's a little difficult to know what it feels like (obviously).

What's the S3 like for heated gear and whatnot? I have a GPS and some heated gear (I'm in NYC but ride upstate - don't know the area because I'm actually Australian).

[ This message was edited by: EvilSteve on 2006-09-29 07:38 ]