...and since nobody makes one any more, the SSie was the nearest.
I love the 8-valve bikes, particularly the 851, but the extra complication and weight are not worth the performance increase.
I never liked the looks of the nuovo-SS ('91-'98) even though I bought a 750 brand new in '91. My Morini 3 1/2 is a much better bike than that 750 was, but it is getting on a bit, with crude suspension and not much in the way of power (though it has seen off many a Ducati at Cadwell- not on the straight, obviously!) I decided to add something a bit more modern to the collection.
What I really want is a small capacity V-twin, Italian of course, with 60-70bhp and quality suspension. Not a budget bike, which is all the manufacturers think an enthusiast deserves nowadays.
1000 V-twins are just a safe bet, I suppose, but I like bikes to rev and steer...