I thought about getting a GSXR1000 too, but am glad I did not (IMHO). I had a Fireblade before my 996 and did really love it, but you can't compare it with a duke. When I had my blade they were two a penny and no-one really took any notice, when I got the 996 it got bundles of attention. The jap bikes feel faster because they are 4 cylinder (obvious I know) and scream their nuts off. The day I rode back from picking up the 996 I thought that it was not really that fast but then I glanced down at the speedo!
I came to the decision to buy the 996 over the GSXR because I asked myself a simple question. Do I want something every man and his dog are riding or do I want a slice of style and racing history. If you answer this one honestly then you know which bike to choose. Both are brilliant but only one has real ethos.
Paul
