Thanks for the replies guys. I like the look of all or the bikes I mentioned. The SP1 is nice but I would always wish I had a SP2 and that would blow the budget. The riding position would be a bit to extreme as well. I am not looking for a track bike but just a really nice bike to own and enjoy on the odd ride that I will get to go on. I like all 3 bikes for different reasons. The TLR is a bit of a cult bike and is well under 3k. The RSVR/Tuono seems really great as well as it is newer tech and get the Ohlins and lighter wheels if you get a Factory. It might be £1500-2000 well spent. The 999S to me just looks lovely. I always loved it and think it gets better looking with age. What I don't want to do is spend £4,500-5000 on one and then it just bleeds me dry. I would sit there staring at it in the garage too but I don't want to go broke either. Doing a 1-2000 miles a year will be realistic for me so I am worried that it wouldn't make sense to be doing belts ever 2 years when I might have only done 2000 miles. It seems that a lot of people have good things to say about all 3 bikes!
How about trying to get a few more miles done? When I dig my my 1198 out its for at least 50 miles a time - the ride before last was 150 miles (last weekend), today's was 100. I don't get him out for nothing!
I if buying would rather go for the sp1 as the original, also more the headbanger compared to the sp2,much like the 1098 vs 1198. comfort wise I never had a problem and once covered about 400 miles . I don't think you will go wrong with the ducati or the aprilia but the Suzuki just doesn't do it for me. just my opinion.
Spotted a Aprilia RSVR think it was the 2001 black/ white/red model while out riding the other day and must say they still look really nice. For the money they seem like a real bargain.
Honda SP...what a good shout. I had an RSVR. Main problem was parts availability, but that may be better now. I liked the bike though. As has been said, the factory with forged wheels.......good choice
Was chatting to a bloke out on the east coast a couple of weeks ago, he was on a mint SV1000SZ, the one with black frame in classic GSXR colours. Looked like 3k well spent on his behalf. Not in your list but a worthy contender as it has the engine from the TL in a pretty timeless design
