random stuff
Nice review -- especially the street stuff.
I agree on the request to test a second tier, but I disagree on the makeup. Get a collection of bikes whose clear purpose is the street/canyon strafing. I maybe crazy, but my current list of bikes I would consider to replace my current ride are the XB9R, the FZ-1, the Falco, maybe a super chicken, maybe a Bandit 1200S and a R1150R (not an S -- too expensive). Maybe even a 900ss. Some of these are definitely more all around than others, but they are clearly differentiated from the race rep crowd, something that doesn't interest me. Review them based on handling prowess on your favorite roads, rideability when you have to hit the superslab, or get stuck in traffic, and how well they take soft luggage. I recently test road the XB9r and came away quite impressed, but I have doubts on how it would handle my demands for an all around ride. Are the others better?
Unrelated question. So... what happened to the fearless founder, i.e. why no Blip on the radar screen? (sorry about that -- I couldn't help myself)