i left sportsbikes last yr after having had all the IL4 1000,s over the past few yrs, i just got bored with riding them and simply not getting the most out of the bike on the road, i loved the power when i was able to use it and the handling was great when i was "on it" but i just found it hard to be "on it" everytime i went out, it got to the stage where i was having 1 really good ride in every 5 "ok" rides, and that wasnt enough for me.
So last yr i swopped the blade i had for a speed triple and i gotta say ive had a fantastic summer messing around on it, its got all the grunt and low down power of a sports bike up too about 80 mph ish and i can throw it around just as well as a sportsbike, in fact on the twisties i would say im proberbly quicker on it than i ever was on any IL4.
also the sound of the triple (i got an arrows race kit on it) is better than any IL4 ive ever heard and will always bring a smile to my face.
i do miss that top end power of a 1000cc and the occasional high speed blast and i know im a sportsbike lad at heart and will end up going back to them, but ive had an alternative summer on a streetbike thats made me laugh on virtually every ride ive had with it, and i certainly think its made me a better rider.
so to sum up i reckon for me ive done the best thing i could have done in having some time away from riding sportsbikes and my advice is if you want to find that grin on your face again when you,ve finshed your sunday ride then get yourself a speed triple or similar for a year or so, they,l allow you to be that hooligan you wanna be and let you keep your licence