If the Ducati is my exotic Italian lover, this is the bike I want to spend my life with. Not quite as beautiful, but a friend, a companion, a constant reminder of what riding is all about - and damn near as good a ride :-). Actually, in many ways, it's abetter ride in most conditions. It's got a more upright riding position (although the Ducati is not nearly as 'lean forward' as you might imagine - even my 70 year old wrists are fine after a couple of hours) - easily comfortable enough for 2 hours without stopping. Mirrors are really good - the Ducati's are probably worse than chocolate teapots after about 45-50mph. Performance is more than adequate for UK roads, I can cruise at 70+ (tested on a closed road - of course) without any real wind buffet. Some people mention wind hitting your shoulders but I find that a non-issue - I'm 5' 11" by-the way. It tips into corners and holds a line in a way that truly suits my style (such as it is) and accelerates very briskly up to the legal limit, no problem overtaking pretty much anything on our typical UK country roads. In traffic, the fuelling is lovely and smooth making it really easy to trickle along or filter through lines of cars. So, slow speeds or high, gnarly back roads of motorways, the Tiger tackles them all with a typical British aplomb. I guess it's a way more competent bike than I am a rider. By the way, it comes already fitted with cruise control, multiple rider modes, a quick shifter (which is buttery smooth), electronically adjustable rear shock as well as manually adjustable fronts.