Is that the Monster 620 you were looking at? Cos if the SV's not powerful enough for you that Duke'd be useless. the S2R looks good but every rview I've seen's slagged off the brakes something rotten, and it's not cheap either.

You want a Tuono I think, or a Bandit 1200? Or a Kwak Z750/Z1000. Or of course like you said, an SV thou. Though none of those machines will get you to the US limits much quicker than an SV at the end of the day. The SV doesn't get short of power till you're approaching the ton.

what about the new Triumph Speed triple seems to match your requirements, big engine, better performance than an SV but with the naked looks.

Or, dare I say it, a Hornet.
A little bit more power than an SV and at least as comfortable.

...and very expensive to buy and insure. Old triple would be a good suggestion tho, good work!

(edit: this comment was about the Triple)

you have gotta say that the New speed triple is just sex... Thats two amazing bikes it two years for Triumph... And the new Triple '600' thats been seen recently looks great too...

As for the SV get a bigger back sprocket and you'll get a little more go out of the corners... Its enough for me, I know that riding an SV at 70 to 90mph (on the track of course :-) ) is more fun that riding a bigger bike at the same speeds...

The new Triple's gorgeous... I always thought the old one didn't quite work (no offence Rictus!) but the new one's the perfect mix of beauty and the beast.

I haven't seen the new triple in the flesh but looks lovely in the magazines. Like the look of the daytona 650 too. Hmmm time to start saving :D

I sat on the new triple at a bike show it feels kinda small somehow for a 1050cc bike. I want one :D

TWO mag's giving one away this month...

...With a subscription??