I'm 31 & raced motorcross extensively(mini's/CR125r & Cr250r)in the 80's & early 90's.I also owned a 90' CBR600,but turned my attention towards auto racing & sold it.I've always had a desire to get another bike & lately have become serious about it.I have quite a few bike guys come by my shop here & there,but it's hard to get a non-biased opinion(everyone brags about the bike they have).Anyway,I know I want a sportbike & am not a beginner rider.I plan on using it for it's purpose as well as Sunday rides to San Diego(with my girl) & up & down the coast.I've always been loyal to Honda, but the efforts from the other manufactures are very commpeling.I'm leaning towards a 02'-Yamaha YZF-R1 or a 02' Ducati 998,but am not sold on anything.I know this is a big can of worms,but any help with pros/cons,expeirience etc. would be greatly appreciated.Thanks...

 

Ducs are nice (drooooooooooooool), I have always heard that they require a lot of "special attention" though Can't go wrong with a yammy though

 

Maybe you would prefer something more along the lines of a VFR if you're going to do a lot of travelling/cruising.

 

Well Suzuki is the best Naw, but Honda is the best build quality, I just loved the look of the Gixxer. Since you've had experience on bikes, an R1 is ok for you, but we cant stress enough how powerful they are.

 

I too was a motorcrosser and I thought a 600 would be plenty of power for the street, but I wasn't happy with it. I just bought the GSXR 1000 and wouldn't have anything with less power. You don't have to dog it to make it go fast. You can pass things in 6th gear The R1 is a good choice but the suzuki is just plain devastating. Of course if you're partial to Honda's, the RC51 ain't bad either

 

Oh....Ducati's are nice too but they usually need to be a second bike with the $$$$ maintenance and all.

 

IMO, The Duc (Biposto of course) and the R1 are probably the worst of the lot for 2-up riding. Your butt & legs burn on one, and the pillion seat just doesn't work on the other. It sounds like you're set on a liter superbike. If you're looking at the Duc, give a look at the Aprilia Mille. Bit porkier, but I've always liked it a bit better for everyday use. Both of which are major hit, come repair time though (parts aren't cheap or always easy to come by).

I've never ridden on one, but the Triumph Daytona looks like it might be comfy, and it has the uniqueness thing going for it.

Also, the Duc and the R1 ride and handle completely different. If you have a local Duc dealer, wait till they have a demo-days going on, and go try it out before you buy. Twins and I-4's, when more than just puttering around, have some big differences. For me, the torque is fun but the I-4's smoothness gives me a stronger sense of control. Twins are twitchy.

If you're not set on a deathmachine, Try checking out the Honda VFR (Interceptor) It's comfy, seats two-up better, it's sporty, and has a strong following.

 

If your like me... you'll prolly be heading they way of a liter bike. I'm looking for sport as well as touring... and the best compromise is most likley going to be a zx12 or busa... both seem pretty comfortable and still have that sportbike appeal and looks.. the R1 is nice, but a little less on the comfy touring side...

I'm commuting on the bike i'm going to get with some long trips for fun...

Only thing holding me back from a goldwing or st1100 is the price....

 

Thanks alot for the responses so far,they have helped out quite a bit.Any additional info would be great too!

 

I would personally stay away from the superbike replicas if you're going to be touring w/ a passenger. I think there was a post about the most comfortable literbike awhile back. Check it out. Btw, my vote would be vfr but are you only going to be taking that weekend trip w/ the passenger or are your planning on tearing it up at the track a couple times? Single canyon runs?