1, 2, 3 or 4?

[dumptruckFT]

Hi folks, I'm in the market for a new naked. I have 8 grand burning a hole in my pocket and I've narrowed my options down to 4 different exotic/semi-exotic nakeds which I have numbered by their cylinders, because its just friggin' adorable that way.

1. 2010 KTM Duke 690

2. 2009 Buell XB12SS

3. 2009 Triumph Street Triple R

4. 2008 MV Agusta Brutale 910S

I've been riding for a few years and I'm competent enough. I ride nearly every day of the year in rain and sometimes in light snow. The bike will not be in a garage and instead will receive a cover. This will be my only personal form of transportation and will need to not only be available for in-town commuting but also highway trips lasting up to 5 hours at a time, a wee bit of tom-foolery on the backroads, and light camping duty (what I carry on my back will work) off of well-packed fire roads and short gravel roads. Top speed isn't important at all to me, I'm much more interested in how agile, versatile and responsive the bike is.

While I'm sure you have to say the Duke, I'm interested in any of your takes on the other bikes.

Just to clarify, I'm not interested in a V-Strom or a Multistrada or a Kawasaki Sherpa. Just out of those 4 bikes please.

[Momo1970]

Weird I read your thread and all I can think of is UJM.
Anyway since you restricted to the above 4 I have to choose 3 street triple.
Duke will be hard for five hours highway, and while it "Can" do it its not fun.
The buell is discontinued brand, which is hard for me to support
The street is a good bike all around suspension is a bit soft at the front on the regular version while the R is stiffer. My friend who own the street love it an even did coast to coast ride with it!
MV, well too exotic for your use.
Still think that your "desire" for exotic naked does not match your actual practical requirements from the bike.

So street 1, MV 2, Duke 3, 4 Buell
BTW I used to own Dorsoduro which is quite exotic and will top this list. I sold it and bought the Duke looking for only weekend ride on twistee roads (no highway).
Cheers,
Momo

[dumptruckFT]

Momo, I understand that there could be "better" bikes out there for my purposes and my budget. Ultimately the four I picked aren't incredibly practical. However, they are available and all of them intrigue me. To me, not biting my lip everytime I see one of the bikes on that list rolling by and thinking "what if" is a pretty legitimate concern. If I really wanted practicality, I'd get an economy sedan. While I'd consider a certain V4 Aprilia as a track bike, I don't really like much of the brands other offerings. Thank you very much for the info about the Striple, being able to go cross-country sounds like a pretty good barometer. I think you're right about the Brutale, though I've gotten no hard facts on repair costs, I'm thinking it'd turn my hair white.

[dutch rc]

did you look at the 690 smc, would probably be better on those fire roads

[sherco]

I've owned a lot of bikes and I love my Duke. However the usage you describe makes me think you need the Triumph-----unless you like light, super cool thumpers.