bluesman wrote:Everything is relative. Speed and engine? Ducati 1098 will slap Aprillia, something like Gixxer K7 (let's be real despite it is hated ;) IL4) would slap both and something like ZZR1400 will overrun them on straight.
Why compare bikes on BHP and suspension (on good road only!) when better to base bike choice on riding habits.
Full-blown track bike is completely no-go for long distance or worse surface. Middleweight sport tourers are no-go for race track. Never ever ever saw Mille or 9xx-10xx Duc long rides. But I did see older Blades and R1. Even those never left highway or perfect paved roads. Just as well as Storm will never ever catch Aprillia on the track. And Husky 610 will beat them all in the city and will drive you mad in performance touring or will lose pathetically on "big curves" track.
IMHO what is it for is the key when making choice for bike
Well said that man, or to put it briefly 'horses for courses'
Outright performance means very little to me, my zed has all the power I need for most situations and if I had more power I'd just spend more time doing daft speeds and risk getting nicked. Handling, character, sound and the grin factor are my criteria for choosing any bike.
That's not to say I don't enjoy riding bikes with daft amounts of power every now and then, but performance is just one factor and not the main one for moi.