What new bike to get?

So I'm selling my 06 GSXR 600 because I want something that is a bit more comfortable to ride on longer trips. I thought about getting a cruiser but decided I still want a somewhat sporty bike. So I narrowed it down to 3 choices. 03 or newer SV650N, 03+ Buell Lightning, Ducati Monster, What do you all think? Poll to follow.

Edit: Added Pics

 

Personally, for style/maintenance/performance I'd go with the SV650. Suzuki's bike is good looking (but the newest Gladius sucks IMO) and has a good, do-it-all build. I'd worry about getting a Buell since they are gone now, in the future parts may get hard to find. And as good looking as the Ducati is, I like to do my own work and the ducati seems like it's a little maintenance intensive and complicated. The great thing about the SV is you can dress it however you want, you could get a quick-detach fairing for longer trips, go naked, change the bars if you want, whatever.

 

pics?

 

I had a buddy with a Buell around that era. He had the thing a year and it spent like 4 months of that year in the shop. Brand new bike mind you.

 

Ducati Monster
The most fun you can have with your clothes on....

 

I am big fan of Ducati, but not a big fan of the maintenance requirements. My buddy had a Buell, The rubber drive belt kinda scares me. I would go with the SV650, It can be a nice crusier or a good Track Day bike. I have 2 buddies that races the SV650, and they do really good on them.

 

Dude...Im at a cross roads. Im for the Buell and the Monster. I love both bikes.

 

If it has to be between those, I vote sv650.

Have you looked at the Ninja 650 or ER-6N though? Great sport touring bikes.

 

Added pics

 

I don't know much about the monsters other than it is one of the only non-full fairing bikes I really like.

But if you are considering a Ducati find a friend who has one and test drive it. My brother had a 749 and although it looked sweet, I hated the dry clutch and the knocking it made. Sounded cheap IMO. I just checked on their website and the new Monsters have a wet clutch so that shouldn't be a problem. Lot's of maintainence for sure.

Suzuki makes great bikes...

 

I agree with the Buell being gone thing. However, the engine is just a Harley sportster engine, and I'm sure you can always find parts for them. As far as attaching a fairing and changing bars, you can do that on all 3 bikes.

I've decided that I want a bike with a V-Twin engine, and want a naked bike with actual handle bars, not clip-ons. Although the EN is a parallel twin. When did those come out, just this year?

 

i had an '05 sv650 last summer (really, really miss it, but i had to sell it to get my tacoma so...). i loved that bike. tons of torque (read: real world speed) and pretty low maintenance. i'm actually in the market for another bike and it's definitely still one of my top choices!

 

ER-6N has been around for a while and is big in Europe. Just came to US last year. It's a naked Ninja 650 and we've had those since they came out. I have one and love the parallel twin engine. Both have handlebars, not clip-ons, which can be changed easily (I changed mine to the Sport Bars v2.0)

 

i've ridden the ducati, thought it was gutless. but then, i'm used to the torque of my speed triple 1050. as far as looks, i'd go with the buell. haven't ridden it though

 

Duc all the way!! I would get a monster if i had the extra cash so I could ride it on days I dont feel like riding my 999. Dont let the dry clutch keep you from getting one, thats just another reason ducs are unique.

 

None of the above. Get a Triumph Street Triple:

 

I like the Buell

 

x2 on the speed triple. I have never ridin' one, but everyone I have talked to that has loves them.

 

I haven't ridden one either, but I loved my Sprint RS. Reliable, fun, a little bit different and affordable to purchase and maintain.

 

yup, here's mine