I love a lot of them, I rode a 999 around the IOM a couple of years ago but the riding position is a bit too extreme for me personally. The handling is very "track" orientated but I would say that it was the most sure footed bike I have ever been on, no good for tootling round though as the position is a lot more "head down" than most track related bikes but when you wind it up for a lap or two then it all starts to make sense.
I agree about the clutch though, it can sound horrendous at tickover but that sound disappears once on the move and works really well with more control than any other bike I have ridden.
Not a bike for day to day riding for me but I would love to be able to afford to have one in my garage as a toy.
I rode the hypermotard a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is WOW
