I road one on Saturday at the shop where I work part time. I personally have a modified 900S2 bevel and a modified 851. I have also ridden the Sport with a set of termignonis on it. Both are very comfortable and have excellent firmness on the road. Power delivery is smooth and robust. They just miss that get up and go you get with a 4 valve at the top end. More than enough grunt for the average punter. Persoanlly I prefered the Sport, with the pipes. I guess its boils down to the old SS vs GT/SD from yesteryear. The Classics have all been selling well in our little Aust market. Would I buy one? If I could afford it, I'd have a Sport anyday, its what I use to dream my S2 would be. Would i buy a 999 or a 1098? No. They are just too much bike. I actually haven't read any articles on either, because I'm slack. I hope this was of some help.
My 900S2 is a 1983 Ducati, I've had since new. I have spoken to customers, that have ridden Buells. They discribe the power delivery as brutal, as compared to the Sport. The suspension and handling is also more refined on the Sport, well its Italian! I have heard people comment on a small discomfort on the wrists/hands due to the prone riding position. This I can assure you fades away the more you ride. If I haven't ridden the S2 for a while, the first 10-15 min I'm aware of it, but then it just goes away. As far as maintenance issues go we have had none so far, which is a good sign. Build quality is excellent. Honestly you really need to try and get a test ride. Its well worth it. Overall a very smooth comfortable machine. I take it it's the 2007 you are looking at. Is that helpful? Hard to do this without sounding like a sales guy.
Thanks Griff - I've tried a 749 and a 999 but they're not what I'm looking for.
It's interesting that you used to own an S2 I have a Firebolt 12 and I'm interested in a Sport 1000S. How would you compare the Sport Classic with your Thunderbolt ?