What to buy next Spring--Decision

Ahoy.

OK, I'll try to list stuff that will help with advice:

53 Years old, 20+ years riding experience, but 15 year lay-off until last May.
Entire summer/fall spent riding a Kawasaki w650 (love it) up around Alice's--many Doc Wong rides.

So, I have a short commute to work (Stanford) and I spend at least one day a weekend doing the foothills. I love the w650 for this, but I'm wanting something sportier next Spring. Choices so far:

Tuono. Man, that's an awesome machine.
Pros: exceptional build, sporty, but still upright, handling for hills and commute.
Cons. Price, high parts/service costs. New color scheme is fugly.
(((buy a used magnet/grey???)))

Suzuki SV liter.
Pros: low cost, easy to work on, lower parts/service than a Euro Bike.
Cons: Cheapie parts, ergos look to be for short ppl (I'm 6'2").

Monster Liter.
Pros: same as the Tuono, price a bit less.
Cons: same as the Tuono, but not the bad color scheme.

Motard? Dunno here: I have many years of Enduro experience (won District 38 one year 20 years ago...). So there's appeal there...how are those with handling on asphalt? Compared to Tuono/Monster? I don't plan on racing or any off-road stuff with it tho....

So I dunno...any suggestions welcome. I mainly want something naked/upright cause I'm not ready for full-tilt sports stuff. I also want something for my 6'2" frame...not some "grasshopper" machine.

Thanks for advice and helping me think this out....

--Tom--

ZX10R.

Just do it.

Sounds like you want naked and sporty. Have you considered the Triumph Triple Speed? Or Kawis new Liter naked bike? The Aprilia is beautiful.... but $$ (too much IMO). The Monster has become the 3 series bimmer of motorcycles around the city. Seems like everyone and there mother has one - hence its lack of excitement for me.

A number of friends own or have owned the triple. Its a great naked sport bike.

The 'priller's pretty hardcore, basically just the Mille minus plastic, and different bars & pegs. Pretty, but pretty focused. If you're looking at truely naked bikes then yeah, the Z1000 or Speed Triple (or Sprint RS if you can still find one). I'm sure there's another half dozen out there.