Oh right .... let's get this straight then. "Car is the most sensible option". Of course it is. On paper you'd be hard pushed to prove otherwise, but in your heart you know that really doesn't matter? "Bored the pants off me" - that was the blade then? I've ridden a blade, once. Nothing wrong with it, hell of a machine, very capable, blah blah. Did I like it? Well, it's a bike so what's not to like. Would I buy one? Nah ... no SOUL. Didn't engage me, didn't have the "wow factor".
As for getting pulled over ... I had an R6 demonstrator for 3 days while my ST2 was being fettled. Took a while to get used to how high it needed to rev before it got going, but then I found I was going everywhere at 80+ (cover your ears, I mean eyes, Andy(s)). I reckon I'd have lost my licence before long if I kept that.
How about a smaller, naked, Ducati? Uncomfortable going above 90 for very long as it's like being hung out to dry, immensely fun to ride on the twisties, and can be just as engaging as any other Ducati when you accept it for what it is and what it does best. I speak from personal experience, I recently took my wife's 620 Monster out while my mate rode my 749S. I left him behind and had a hoot, mainly because he didn't know the roads around here like I did, nor the bike. He was also being cautious on someone else's bike.... yeah, ok.
Maybe worth test riding a Ducati before committing to a car?
(mind you, I have a car as well as a bike - and I'd not have it any other way for many reasons)
[Edited on 24-10-2005 by HW]