Well the lion graphics were only offered I believe on the '08 and '09 but I may be wrong.
Well this is exactly why I'm asking these things now --- to get the personal experience and quirks and such explored BEFORE I begin to narrow things down.
As previous mentioned - I have owned the option 1 and 2 on that list (not 2.5)... so I do know their quirks and such, but I like to hear others' input on it too, like I said, to start fresh.
So... here is my list as I have it now:
Bikes not being considered / already eliminated based on criteria not revealed yet:
- Ducati 848 / 1098 / 1198
- Aprilia RSV4
- Honda CBR 1000 and 600
- Kawasaki Ninja 10 and 6
- Suzuki GSXR 1000 and 600
- Yamaha R6
- KTM thingy
Bikes Currently on my "list" (in no particular order of preference):
1. 97-2001 Triumph Daytona 595 / 955i
Obviously only available used
2. 2000.5 - 2003 Aprilia RSV Mille (not the R unless someone has replaced the tail section with the 2 up option)
Obviously only available used unless another unicorn like my previous one exists out there somewhere lost in some dealer's warehouse.
3. 2004 - 2009 Aprilia RSV1000 R or Factory
Actually - I have found brand new 2008's and 2009's at some dealers around the country.
4. 2002 - 2004 Ducati 998
Obviously only available used
5. 2007 - Current Triumph Daytona 675
Obviously ranging the gambit from used to new - excluding the 2006 because of the limited availability and bugs I've heard about in that first model year.
6. BMW S1000RR
New or used...
7. 1999 - current Suzuki Hayabusa
New or Used - I actually know very little about the variations of these so I'm not sure what are good years or aren't but they're on the list.
8. 2003 - current Suzuki GSXR-750
New or used obviously - I THINK 2003 was the year I started actually liking the body style - but I'll need to double check that.
9. ??? (not sure the actual year range) - MV Agusta F4 750
A long shot to find I'm sure but I've been recommended to investigate these as an option - and I do love me the F4s.
10. 2003-2006 Triumph Daytona 955i
Not the 2002 under any circumstances. Obviously only available used.
11. 2013 MV Agusta F3 675
POSSIBLY... I have to see one for certain.
12. 2003 - 2006 Honda RC-51
Obviously only available used
As above.