You've got the right idea, don't even consider buying a bike without a nice long test ride. I believe you'll end up keeping the CBR because you won't find anything that would justify spending thousands to "upgrade" to. I went through that a couple years ago with the Valkyrie - the grass always looks greener, until you try it and find what you have is light years better. I tried a Yamaha Warrior (felt way slower and less comfortable) and a Vtx 1800 (handling? please!) and neither could hold a candle to the Valk in the power cruiser category.

 

The next step up has to be the Blackbird. The same as the 1000F, but more horsepower and less weight.

 

I am looking to get a new bike.. On my short list are the XX and the ST1050...

The 2000-2003 XX is out due to the cost of insurance $900-$1300 a yr no thanks..

The 05 st1050 is what I am looking at now. I can insure it for $650 a yr.

 

The blackbird is still to heavy. Stinky test ride the 1050, I love the looks of the bike, but I wasn't impressed enought to go and buy one. The 675 is still on my to ride list, man that is a sexy bike. I can't wait until the new BMW F800ST hits the US and I get my hands on one of them for a test ride. I'm guessing I' like it a lot , I just hope the price them moderatly in the US . I'll post my thought on the 06 GSX-R1000 in a week or two. 2 weeks on it should give me enough time to figure out if I like it.

 

For my money, the '90 and '91 CBR-1000F is the best all arounder I ever rode. That's why it's going back together after being crashed with 122,000 miles on it. Got a spare motor, parts to refresh the one in it, wheels, rear shock, and miscellaneous other parts. No headshake, comfortable ergos, decent performance, not wheelie prone, etc. And that's not from someone who hasn't ridden others.

I've got a Kawasaki 636 finishing up for my track only bike, an EX-500 for the kids to start on and also used for coaching the novice group at track days, and an older Gold Wing for passenger riding (two up), and still prefer the old 1000F for long twisty street rides and touring (one up). It's a dream to me for all of those purposes.

And it's bone stock with the exception of longer spring spacers in the front forks to get the static sag up from 2 1/8" (stock with my weight, 200 lbs.) to about 1 3/8" and raised the fork oil level from the stock recommended 6 7/8" (?) to 4 3/4", making the springing more progressive to help resist the front dive on hard braking. Also, HH front pads but that's purely optional. Yes, they brake harder but also need some heat to work and can act wierd if you're not really abusing the brakes regularly. I think they're best left to track only but purely rider preference, no big right or wrong. Obviously, JMO.

And for those who are needing bar risers, learn to get your feet back on the pegs and load your legs slightly, getting your weight OFF the bars, OFF your upper body. The bike's handling LOVES it and your forearms, shoulders, and wrists will love it, too.

 

Though I like the Sprint, for just a bit more one can get an FJR which is a much better bike IMHO.
The VFR is a nice bike too, but the latest generation has that stupid VTEC, which suck big time. The early generation VFR is a sweetheart though.
Blackbird is nice, but it's getting long in the tooth and not available new in the states any longer. It's actually lighter then the CBR1000f but has a longer wheelbase.

How about a nice new VFR 1000 Non Vtec, with factory hard bags and ABS?!?!?!?!?!?

 

I want my next bike to be a speed triple, but i reckon it's going to be about a 2010 model If the trade in price is poop, I'll hold onto the cbr

 

KTM 990super duke, streetfighterd 1100+ gixxer, BMW traily, Buel S1 w/ a 130ci merch motor/ 6 spd., Bimoto tesi, alum spondon framed something, cafe'd gt750 zook 2stroke w/ 135 hp, a newer duc, 800cc jumbo 2 stroke alum frame dirt hack, another norton, yankee 500 2 stroke, bultaco 360 astro flat tracker, blackbird, 954, Husky 500cc road racer. something w/ a alum v-6, vincent, a perfect 1st year 250 elsinore, big bore twin Rickman, 1cafe/1dirt, a custom 1200/ 1500cc 2stoke tripple cafe. And the beat goes on... Gosh, I LOVE MOTORCYCLES !!!!!!!! Clean and free, (still sick !!!!!!!) Ripp'n

 

Funny, we all seem to have roughly the same tastes...

My list:

06 Sprint ST (but WAY to expensive)
late model VFR 800
New BMW 800 ST
00-03 XX 'bird
04 Ducati Multistrada 1000
06 Kawi zx-14

I agree with Captain Obvious, the ultimate would be a VFR 1000 fully decked out. I was just saying this to the local Honda dealer yesterday.

 

I still love my Hurricane, but can't help dreaming. I tried the Blackbird, and it has a SUPER smooth engine, but I didn't like the overall riding position. A bit to cramped up for my 190 cm... Now I have to try the ZZR 1200, which has got some very good rewievs in american and british motorcykle magazines. It should have a better riding position, be faster on a quatermile, and have more torquey engine. But the super smooth engine It doesn't have...

If interested here is an artikle with a shoot out between the Blackbird and ZZR 1200

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/02xxzzr.motml'

And another test of the ZZR 1200
http://www.motorbikestoday.com/revie...es/ZZR1200.htm

The way I see things, this bike may be the perfect bike to replace the Hurricane in a distant future. Thinking it sounds like a Hurricane with 160 bhp...