CWO, let's put all the ego BS and petty jabs aside for a minute and talk straight-up... one biker to another.
First I just want to say that I do respect you, and I'm grateful for your 30 years proud service to our country, helping to keep our nation safe and strong. You know more about ships and naval ordnance and military life than I could ever imagine.
But when it comes to motorcycles, I think I might just be at least your equal in riding ability, and I think I may have owned and ridden a few more bikes than you. So please allow me to give you a little advice, if I may.
Go down to a dealership and take a test ride on a B1250. Try to keep an open mind... what can it hurt? If you don't like it, then at least you'll be able to back up all the negative comments and derogatory swipes you've been taking at this bike, for whatever reason you seem to disdain it so much. All your criticism doesn't carry much weight when you've never even sat on one.
But I'd be willing to bet you'll be suprised and impressed with the smooth power and slick handling that has to be experienced to be believed... even if you won't admit it here. I think at the very least you'd be doing yourself a favor. All that common sense, frugality, and wisdom that you're always proclaiming to have might even over-ride your stubborness and you could end up riding home on a brand-new '07 Bandit. Who knows?
Look, you can test-ride a GSXR1000 too, and if you really like it and decide this is the one for you, then buy it! But you gotta ask yourself, is a crotch-rocket really the best choice for your needs, riding style, and intended use? And is it worth the extra $4-$5K just for bragging rights? Are you gonna end up with a bike that's uncomfortable, high-strung, skittish and expensive? Because that's what the Gixxer is... no matter what they say about the adjustments for the seat, pegs, or 3-position power selector... it's a track bike that's street legal. And I sure as heck wouldn't want to ride one across country.
If you're out there ridng a GSXR you know you're gonna have a target on your back. Every squid and canyon-carver that sees you is gonna challenge you... that's fine if that's what you want, but do you have the skills to back up your motorcycle? Because it'll be one embarassment after another when you get blown off every day by all the knee-draggers and peg-scrapers. And you could easily find yourself in way over your head tryng to stay with a pack of WFO jet pilots. Not safe.
One advantage of riding the Bandit is the "sleeper factor"... it doesn't really fall into the sport-bike category, but it definitely has the capability to dust off any sport-bike out there if you have the skills... and the look on these kids faces when they get spanked by an old fart on a "standard" bike is just priceless.
Hey, do what ya want, bud... I just wanted to step back from all this raggin' and rantin' for a minute and give it to ya straight from the heart. I wish you the maximum fun and satisfaction whatever bike you decide to buy, and I hope we can get together someday for a little riding and maybe a couple of those beers you carry around in your topcase.
