| Here's my view...
The 916 evolved through to the 998R, and yes it's an iconic bike and will be remembered forever, but sooner or later as with everything you hit the end of it's development, and it's time to do something new, and the 999 is it, like it or lump it, it's here to say, and then that will be replaced by the road going GP bike, we all know that will happen, and again that will be a revolution not evolution.
The 999 has done exactly like it's predessor and won 2 consecutive WSB titles, so that must speak for itself, you could have a whole host or arguements about that too.
You need to ask yourself what you want the bike for, the 998R is the ultimate within that range, as good as it gets (for a road bike), or do you get the 999S, probably better that the 998R, but doesn't have that iconic desirability | 
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