thing is tho there are so many parts, addons that you can customize it so much that it wont look like others on the road. 
True, but the body stays the same… Everyone will say: “there’s a hornet… but what has the guy done to it!?”
Whereas I prefer the “What’s that?” reaction! 
But I do take your point that if you want something for the winter it’s better to get something that’s reliable… I’m trembling at the thought of cold weather approaching for my GSR!
Ignore this advice:D The Arrows are just sooo common:P dare to be different and go for Scorpion Edge cans, they’re louder than the Arrows, look better IMHO and with the Arrows remap improves the power delivery.
It’s worth remembering that Hondas need servicing every 4k miles, every 2nd service is minor and doesn’t even need an oil change though dealers will still do it and charge you for it unless you tell them not to. The Triumph and Suzuki are every 6k miles, though the Triple has a big service at 12k miles which will cost £500-600 at a dealers.:w00t:
That makes the monster out of the question as comfort is crucial to me. How about the speed triple?
There are lots of bad reviews on the suspension of the street triple and yet it seems so popular on this thread.
Therefore take out my suggestion of a GSR as well… after 1hr on it I feel nothing from hip to knees!!!
I have a Hornet (04) and a Street Triple R. The Hornet is a better town bike. Mainly because of the better steering lock and is less knickable with the HISS system. Buy a cheap Hornet from this period (up to 07) spend a little money on improving the rear shock and fork internals so it is a firmer ride. Parts and servicing is cheaper and more widely available.
The Striple R is a proper hooligans bike - I love it.
I’ve just bought a Street Triple R, it makes me wonder why I bothered with sportsbikes for so long! It’s light, flickable, good looking, comfy etc… It does depend on your riding style aswell, if you want something with more grunt but less flickable, you could look at an; Aprillia Tuono, Kwak Z1000, Speed Triple.
The reviews saying the Street Triple has poor suspension and breaks are rubbish. They are more then enough for road riding, I did go for the R version because I had the money and plan on doing the odd track day.
Good choice sir, i’ve been incredibly happy with mine.
I probably could have got for a non-R and still been happy (particularly with the price and you can pick up a second hand bargain) but knowing there’s a better version available would slowly eat away at me!
Agreed! I also preferred the slightly racier riding position, it still feels like an armchair compared to my previous sportsbikes.
Have you got some cans on yours? I was sure I was going to get a pair of Arrows but I think the bike sounds awesome with the OEM ones, well good enough to justify not spending £600 on some Arrows.
+1
Been riding Street Triple R for last 2 years…and mainly in the city and have nothing but praise…beats my last bike (Fazer 600) hands down…lots of fun and a massive ego booster when people pull up at the lights and comment on how good the bike looks - matt graphite grey)
Best street bike is the one you ‘enjoy’ the most 
Have a hornet as well as the r1. It’s really good fun but it’s not a patch on the r1 really. Do love the fact I can just jump on it and go, and actually park on the street so it’s a much less stressful machine in that sense and far more useful bike. Steering lock is handy but never ‘really’ struggled that badly with sports bikes tbh. Bit more cold and wet without the fairings obviously
If you’re only having one bike I’d defo go ride 'em first.
Yeah I’ve got the arrow slip ons. I didn’t want too much hassle of my insurance so I wanted something road legal, as oppose to the low boy. I love the way the arrows look, I prefer it to others in fact though they are more common. I’ve taken the baffles out, I can assure you that the exhaust is now SIGNIFICANTLY louder than the stock, I’ve had quite a few positive comments on the sound they emit. Lower down the rev range (4k) its still loud, my IAM observer recently thought I was revving much higher as they were so loud.
I’ve also noticed the positive impact when filtering, more pedestrians hear me now, particularly when giving a little blip as you pass cars.
Oh yeah, one other thing, people turn around and look at the bike as they hear it coming, particularly kids, teenagers and chavs!
Well owning a Speed Triple and an XT 660 X i’d say the XT was a much better bike to ride on the streets of London for sure with the roads being in the state they are…
well i have a 1050 speed triple to replace my 955i, and i must say its an awesome bike for riding, however if im honest probably the street triple would have been a wiser choice.:D., 1 thing is the speed triple aint that good on fuel!!!
Talking about street bikes… I bet 80% of bikers dislike the Monster 696 because they either haven’t ridden it or they have ridden the old one (before 2009 models).
Also Ducatis are kinda unjustly expensive and they really don’t wanna accept it!
Ducati makes bikes, not guitars and boats
If that extra cost is also paying for the name and for the look I would go for it!
You should love your bike by just looking at it!
I own a 695 and I’m trying to “upgrade”!
Last week I finally rode a 696 and, trust me mate, I can tell it’s another bike.
First of all… reliability is not a stereotype like for the old ones, even a newbie like me understands and sees the quality of its parts and how accurately it’s built.
Second of all… handling is superb! Very agile and light, sticked to the ground and MASSIVE breaking! Suspension are not adjustable, yes I know, but great enough around town!
Much comfier than the old one (definitely more upright) less vibey (but still it’s a 2cylinder).
One thing tho, it lacks a bit in power…
Obviously the Hornet is a great bike too, I rode a 2011 model and I loved it too (in a different way).
Still I’m not 100% sure but it’s between them two for me. I would love a Striple but it doesn’t come with immobilizer and it’s kinda got sportbike performances; thieves know this therefore it is actually more nickable.
I want to stay tranquil and I want to feel free to enjoy the city like, for instance, popping into shops and restaurants without being massively worried to live the bike everywhere. If you do work-home/home-work it’s another story 
All I’m saying is give the 696 a chance and ride it! Don’t exclude it a priori just because they don’t like it!
Good luck!
for that budget I would get a yam fz1
you love a old thread dont ya leon
wasnt leon that revived it :Whistling:
Daytona 955i, all the bike you`ll need.