And wanted to see what you guys' opinions are. In the past few months, I was forced to leave my love at home at my Dad's house while the USMC was training me. He is taking care of it for me, and has grown to like it very much. Enough, in fact, that I am thinking of handing the keys off to him and picking up a new bike. The question is, what to look at getting? I'm torn between a twin and inline. I love the unique sound of the twin, but hearing a screaming inline sounds just as good to me also. If I was going the twin route, I'd probably get an RC51. I love my 'Hawk, but was thinking of going to something new. A 51 or newer ('04+) Jap bike would be another step up in the suspension, brakes, handling, power, and weight departments.

The bike dealer back home has a mint '05 51 with 5k miles, a leftover '07CBR1000, and a '06 R1 with only about 5k miles also. Which one would you pick out of those 3 if you had to choose? I also thought about saving my pennies for a year or so and possibly picking up a 1098, but I just can't justify the extra cost in parts, maintence, etc. It is also extremely dishearting to read the Duck forums and see people have their clutches go out at 5k miles, odd electrical problems, leaking radiators, etc. I've done nothing but oil changes and general maintence to the 'Hawk in her past 20k miles, and she fires up every time. Damn hard to beat that Honda reliability.

I apologize for the novel, but what bike would you pick up next if you were able to keep your 'Hawk? Thanks guys!

 

SV1000. Updated looks but still different from everyone else.

Or a KTM Superduke. I rode one today. Very fun, super comfy, and excellent quality.

 

I love twins too, but having ridden some of the modern liter bikes, particularly the 06/07 honda and the GSXR1000, they have such an abundance of power and torque that the twins monster midrange advantage goes away. that 07 cbrRR should be easy to pick up at a good price - the 08 is stealing all the glory even though its probably a less good street bike - so you could get a deal particularly this time of year. Finally, for the twins, at this point you either go racier (like RC51) and if you like that move away from a more comfortable position, well, its a classic great bike. But if you want to head more comfortable, or stay the same then definitely check out the KTM. Very high quality build and the large superduke is being discounted heavily right now by dealers who still have them (like 2K off MSRP) and its an awesome bike with great ergonomics. And the RC8 is coming if you have to stay racy. Just some other options - I've owned several of their dirt bikes and they really are put together well.

good luck and very fun to look. I bet if you ride the 1000RR you won't miss the Vtwin.
bill

 

If you like the idea of an Italian twin but not the hang ups that come with Ducati ownership, then it might be worth looking for an Aprilia RSVR Factory. It's a great bike. Better than an RC51 in almost every way. Reliability is good, the Fi is very refined. Tank range is excellent for a sportsbike, and you get proper Ohlins front and rear, along with forged OZ wheels and amazing brembo brakes. It won't ultimately be as fast as a 1098, but it will be a hell of a lot cheaper to buy and run, and still more than fast enough for all but the most insane of road riders.

And yes, I am biased. I've owned 3 different 1000cc Aprilias, and didn't have a single fault in over 50,000 combined miles.

 

I've been looking for "something new" which means another used bike and this is what I got. The black/titanium edition is very, very beee-utiful in person but remember it truly is a track bike.



Also, don't forget about 1050 triples. A good compromise between twins and fours. I nearly got a speed triple but it sold before I could get the funds together.