Well... still in a bit of shock, but it's all good...

[atadaskew]

I find none of the above surprising.  What do you expect?  You just rode one of the best bike ever produced.  

It's taken 27 years but it finally has happened.  The title of "best bike ever made" has been passed on from the Guzzi Lemans III 850 to the Ducati MS1200...

[SVTNate]

I keep telling myself it's too ugly and too tall for me to own one.  I'll keep telling myself that until I replace my daily driver (an 11 year old BMW that costs more to maintain than its worth) with a new Nissan 370Z, and then I'll buy the Ducati  

I want to ride the Ducati again, but the problem is that now I have the money to afford one, and that's dangerous.  Gotta replace the car first.

[falconati]

The 370z is a sweet whippy.  Have you driven a MINI S?  It's a different type of vehicle, but about as much fun.  MINI is going to release a two-seat convertible next year with about 200 horses, so you might want to wait off on the Z (I know I am).

[SVTNate]

I need something reliable.  Mini S is not that, unfortunately, because I think it's a cool little car.  I looked at all kinds of stuff in the high 20's-low 30's range, and figure that the 370Z (base with sports package) is my best bet.  I might consider saving a few grand and go with a Honda Accord V6 Coupe, but I think the extra power, better looks, and RWD of the Nissan will be worth spending the money for.

[falconati]

By far.  Have you driven the Z?  It's on rails.

[atadaskew]

 I might consider saving a few grand and go with a Honda Accord V6 Coupe, but I think the extra power, better looks, and RWD of the Nissan will be worth spending the money for.

The Mustang V6 (305hp) kicks the Accord V6's butt.  Less money too.
One of the major mags did a comparo of the two.  You can read it online (either R&T, C&D or Motortrend)

[samal]

I am glad you kept your speedy

I am not that smart - I sold my speedy to get a more sport-touring friendly rig in my budget - I got an 08 FZ1, and while it's a great bike, I miss my Speedy dearly from day one, nothing I rode in my life was as fun as that triple.  On the other hand, I just had a 400 miles day ride and I have to say, no way I would be able to do it on a speed triple - no wind protection and no luggage provisions are prohibitive for a serios touring duty  

[SVTNate]

By far.  Have you driven the Z?  It's on rails.

No, I haven't.  I'm not going to get out and test drive anything until I'm ready to buy, I'm too busy right now and I'd like to take time for a small motorcycle trip (2-3 days) soon before it gets cold in the places I'd like to go.  I have a 911 Turbo for my handling/speed fix, but getting my golf clubs in/out is a PITA and I don't want to use it for a daily driver.  That's why power isn't so important to me as the overall package - I've got a fast car already.  I'm a single guy with no kids so I don't need much room, but I do want some modicum of practicality... I'd even like the ability to put my mountain bike on the roof or on the back.  Nothing I like is big enough to put a bike inside, though, although I haven't looked to see if a bike would fit in something like an STi hatchback (and I'm not so sure about Subaru reliability either).

I have considered the G37S as well, which has a nicer interior than the Z, but I really like the Z's looks and the rev-matching 6 speed would be a cool gimmick to have IMO.  I thought about getting a clean E46 M3, but it'd just be a nicer/faster version of what I've owned for years and I know the costs of owning a BMW past 60k miles all too well (which is also why I don't want to bounce all over the county in the Porsche).

I owned a Ford.  I don't know if I could swallow that pill again, even though quality seems to be better than it was in the late 90's when I owned one (Contour SVT, hence the decade-old screen name)

[falconati]

Well then, color me jealous.