I've been thinking about this more and more lately after I almost traded in my 900SS and shoe-string trackbike for an RSV.
My next bike in all probability will not be a Duke. Maybe a test ride on an 888 or older 9 series would prove me wrong (but I'm realistic to know that as a family man with next to no money available) no matter how much I might like a 996 or a good ST4 etc (which I I think I'd really like) - it would be finacially beyond my reach....
At least for the next 20 years anyway.
I know the 916's are a fraction of their original cost now but if I dont just hold onto my 900 the best I think I could hope for would be to trade her in (or more likely considering she's 11 years old already - sell her privately) sometime during 2006 !!! and see whats on the market then.
To get a good performance increase I'd probably be looking for an RSV or Falco for staying with twins.
A sneaking part of me would like to be a bit loyal and buy a Triumph (as long as it was a Daytona 600)
In the meantime the trackday bug has bitten, so I'll just keep on putting my ikle 600 IL4 together and do as many TD's and schools as I can in 2005 and see how things go on the basis that improving my riding skill (erm...reducing the lack of) - is the best pay-off in the short term.
Regards - Frank