Turned the 959 back in to the shop today and picked up my STR after a complete maintenance overhaul. I am so happy to have my bike back. It is way easier, smoother, and more comfortable to ride which makes the experience fun instead of stressful. It provides 90% of the performance of the Duc with none of the frustrations.
Don't get me wrong, the 959 is an excellent bike for what it was designed for, but it just doesn't fit me where I am in my life now.
I was 23 years old when I bought my 848 Evo. At that point, I just cared about going fast and looking cool.
Now at 27, I barely have time to ride with all the other commitments in my life. When I rarely do I get the chance, I want to relax and clear my mind, not set lap records.
The 959 is too damn aggressive to do that. It wants you to be 100% full attack mode and committed all the time.
Some pros and cons. Engine is choppy below 4k, but once it gets moving, it has torque for days. 3rd gear on that thing is epic. You can go from 30mph to 100mph effortlessly without shifting. Gearbox is also fantastic. Seamless upshifts and razor sharp downshifts.
Also has great handling. It's light enough to flick from side to side and has great grip and stability through the turns. I don't think anything I've ridden can carry faster cornering speeds than this.
Nut roasting heat emanating from under you. Thought that was due to the undertail exhaust on the 848, but even with this new underbody system, it is still hot as hell. Do not buy this bike if you want to have children.
The 959 makes no sense for me. If I was to buy it, it would purely be for superficial reasons. I've grown past that. The STR by comparison is like a loyal dog. It just wants to have fun and please you without asking for much in return. I absolutely love it.