It's that time again... new bike lust (updated with pics!)

[ScottB]

Well, it's that time again.

Winter, when a middle aged man's fancy turns to lust over new toys to fill the garage with (much to his wife's chagrin).

Under the guise that winter time is a great time to buy a new bike, I've been quietly shopping around for something from the new-old stock in the local shops, and I've narrowed down to two.  Yes, I've done my research, yes, I've put in as much butt time as I possibly can.  My question is, if it were YOU, what would YOU pick?

Keep in mind, I have a 2007 Triumph Tiger, which is my distance mount.  This would be for mountain roads and back country quasi-legal fun.

Candidate 1) A NOS Aprilia Tuono 1000R.  
It's black, it's a 2008, it has the classic, sexy Italian look.  I can see buying this bike and never really wanting to part with it.
I have sat on it (plenty) but have not been able to actually ride one (I have ridden a Shiver, which was wonderful, and they feel similar on the showroom floor, but that's about it).
It is inexpensive for a new Tuono, but not inexpensive.  I would have to stretch to make it work (albeit not very much).

Candidate 2) A NOS Suzuki SV1000S.
It's blue, it's the same year, it's utilitarian but honestly one of my favorite low budget back road burners.  I can see buying this bike and trading it for something in else in a few years time.
I have reasonable seat time on one - it strains my back a bit, but I'm tall, and I understand the helibars or handlebar conversion can help a lot with that.
It is a cool $3K cheaper then the Tuono.  I have the cash in hand and waiting.

Both are twins (very cool), both would be a blast around the back roads near my place, both would be suitable for the odd track day.  The Aprilia is like owning a classic Ferrari - gets the job done and with style and grace.  The SV is like owning a Japanese sports car (think WRX or Evo) - it's cool, it does the job, and you sort of have to love all the awkward angles.

I dunno.  What would you do?  I think I'm leading towards the Tuono.

Pics added in the post at bottom.

[SLK50]

   Given your propensity for sporty standards, I would seek out a NOS Super Duke and not look back.

[kendenton]

I'm surprised you thought the Shiver and Tuono felt the same in the showroom.  The Shiver has a nice roomy riding position with a lot of legroom (at least pre-2011 makeover), and the Tuono has sport bike footpeg positioning.  

[Frankienuckles]

I would consider each brands dealership distance from you and their demeaner. The Sv is a little vanilla compared to the Aprilia and it's suspension is low dollar, but for a little of what you saved when you bought it you could throw a nice shock and gold valve kit at the sv and it would be sweet. Yeah, I'd buy the sv and throw a few mods at it and have a nice trip or trackday on it.

[ScottB]

Ken, I meant more the hand and upper body position.  I haven't a ride on the Tuono and it wasn't on a stand, so foot position (although obviously higher) is still a bit of a guess.  Thanks for the heads up.

[1000lbs]

If I had the additional $3k and it wouldn't affect me down the road, I'd thow it at the Tuono.  I've ridden the previous gen and it was a hoot.  It was on par with every step of the Speed Triple I had when we switched off.

That being said, as the owner of a 07 Tiger, why not throw a few dollars at the suspension and other perceived short coming, of the Triumph.  Appropriate breathing, springs and damping have really reduced my feeling of regret of parting with the Speedy.

Just sayin.

[FiremanBob]

That Suzuki engine is pretty crude compared to the Aprilia. One reason I sold my VStrom 1K was the vibration and noise of the engine. Everything on the SV is designed to fit a price point and the bike feels like that.  

[doublen675]

Of the two I would go for the Tuono

[Rincewind]

It seems obvious that you want the Tuono.  But I'd take a second look at the Shiver, especially if they have the new 2011 style model in RED.  Or a Dorsoduro 750!

[Flyer]

Personally I like both your choices, but I have to wonder how much you'd need to spend on the Zook to get it anywhere near the capabilities of the Tuono on a back road.
The suspension gubbins on the SV are of less quality/longevity, no?

[Indianjoe]

Five minutes on the Ape will sell you, or repel you. The motor, brakes and handling are glorious. It feels like an exotic right from the jump. It also responds nicely to stage tuning, should it not be fast enough in stock form. (It is also thirsty, which is ok because you'll be ready to climb off after 120 miles.)

The SV is nice too, but IMO, not in the same class as the Tuono.

I don't know where you are, but if you look around, you can find sweet deals on non-current Tuonos.

Up for a road trip to Seattle? Call these guys:

http://www.motointernational.com/

[swimmer]

NOS

[Medic09]

How much do you rely on having a dealer nearby?  Jap bikes have dealers *everywhere*.  Since you have a Triumph, you're familiar maybe with a bit sparser dealer network.  With aprilia, it will be even moreso.  And some of the dealers out there don't really know their line.  On the Suzi, you can go into any mechanic in any town and they'll be willing to have a go at it.  With the aprilia, you'll find folks who've never even heard of it.

I found moving from a triple to a 60 degree twin a little bit of an adjustment.  (I had a Sprint 955 and a Tiger 955.)  But there is something special about an Italian.  There's a Mediterranean flair that other bikes won't have.

Personally, I'm not sorry to have bought an aprilia.  It is well made, performs well, and I haven't seen another one on the road yet.  A hot Italian in civilized clothes.  What's not to like?

[ScottB]

And the winner is - neither!

In the midst of trolling the various forums and cruising craigslist in an effort to find what I was looking for, I came across this, for a bargain.  The deal's basically done - now I just have to plan the trip to pick her up and take her home (sometime early next month).  It has Chain Reaction exhaust with a tuneboy custom tune and as you can see, custom matte paint, which I'm perhaps a bit ambivalent about, but which is at least well done, unique and fits the streetfighter theme.  I can always repaint - the price was definitely right.

I do love the 1050, and I really couldn't think of a good reason to not have 2 in the garage.  So here it is - my (soon to be) new (to me) '05 Speed Triple.  Enjoy!

[Rodan]

Nice!

Now you just need some roundels, and maybe some invasion stripes to go with the camo job!  Proper markings for a British 'fighter...

[ScottB]

Ooh, actually - I like the idea of a roundel to cover up that yin/yang thing the PO slapped on the tank.  Maybe some shark teeth...  

[Justin]

I don't find the custom paint job offensive at all - it actually looks pretty good IMO. Of course the yin-yang has to go lol

[Rodan]

here's a (very) quick & dirty photoshop...  



In retrospect, I think the 'invasion' stripes need to be angled a bit...

In all seriousness, I really like the paint job.  I raises all kinds of Battle of Britain connotations (obviously), which I think is pretty cool for a British bike.

There's a guy that shows up to the Top 'o the Rockies rally every year with a Tiger in camo with roundels, and I've always thought it was cool.

[DogBoy]

Great looking S3! Congratulations.

[1000lbs]

Nice choice .  I like the paint, and it looks pretty well done in the pics.  The fighter theme would play well on that paint job indeed.