Interesting post. I have kept my 996S for various reasons - 1 I love it, 2 I love the things i've added to it, 3 It's still way better than me, 4 plenty quick enough to keep up with almost everything on the road and 5 I just love it and will never part with it (unless I had no choice).

My bike buying has always been heart over head. I either loved the look of one, couldn't give a stuff how it rode and bought it anyway or I rode it, it felt good and I bought it.

I haven't tried the 749/999 range and i'm sure I would enjoy it but it wouldn't be MY bike.