Don't take this the wrong way, but everyone here is ...... up! I love the SL, but it is sick to have it as a "primary bike". I would have an SL the same way Hugh Heffner has a stable of girls, nice for the odd ride, but to expensive to maintain regularly.
My R is the most fun I've had in a long time....plenty of power and speed, and I ride tracks that are serious "hp tracks". I also have been coming off an RC8R which handles buttery smooth, but seriously underpowered
it actually feels like a honda shadow after getting off the Panigale.
What everyone here needs to, instead of upgrading,....down grade. I am 200lbs and on weekends when I have the boys, my buds and I race our kids 65s and klx110s. You'll find it tons of fun and you'll learn a .... load more about riding your Pani fast then constantly upgrading and never mastering the power and throttle.
I am going to losail next month for the first time with my R. Dave Moss will be the the whole weekend to help everyone sort their bikes. My goal is a 2:12 there by the end of the weekend. Sounds like an easy task being the moto 3 riders were averaging 2:07s on 80 Hp bikes, but it isn't. My point is the power is awesome and the best and the fastest is a lofty goal for all to aspire for, but skill will prevail in the end.
Think CS on a moto GP bike, (230 plus HP) manages a 1:55. Something. HP and speed are not linear. To go from a 2:07 in moto 3 to a 1:55 in Moto GP requires a 300% jump in Hp.
Getting back to the point of the SL or an R, or S, or base. If the SL is indeed the Pacaso, that doesn't make the R a Polariod. The design philosophy, and culture is present in all of them.
Be happy that of the millions that ride bikes in the world, a mere few thousand ride Paniagles. It is a victory in itself that we are those chosen few.
Just remember, Moderation is for cowards! Go big or go home! ( when on the track...lol)
