While I really, really love the oomph of my Suzuki GSXR 750 K4, she and I haven't been the same since our crash last season. We fixed her up as best we could, and I've ridden her weekly ever since. But she's a bit thirstier, gets hot a little quicker, and I've never really trusted that front tire the way I'd like to.
More importantly, last season I had a motorcycle vacation in Austria, and rode three BMW bikes (S1000R, R1250R, F750GS) for a few days. It was heaven on Earth: riding three great bikes with good friends along some of the best roads in Europe. I confirmed what I already knew to be true. 75% of my riding time is at relatively normal speeds, 20% is at slightly higher speeds, 5% is at (semi-) racing speeds. The GSXR is suited for 20, 25% of what I do, and somewhat ill-suited for regular riding. A naked bike is exactly the other way around.
I think the Triumph Street Triple (and Speed Triple) are something of an acquired taste. The headlight units are divisive even among Triumph fans. Honestly, head-on the bike looks like an insect with huge eyes. The older models had those round headlights, mine has the squared-off headlights, and I prefer the latter. This '14 model has the low exhaust instead of the tail pipes, and I love the colors. Took it for a few short rides so far, effortlessly into 200+ km/h territory. It's a sweet, light bike, but it still bites the way a sports bike should.
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