It will be used for commuting - that is certainly the primary goal - but hopefully it'll also offer me something a bit different to getting into a car, so will be something I would like to use 'for fun' as well.
I hadn't even considered that different bikes offer different amounts of protection against the weather, but it makes sense when you put it like that.
Someone (at work) said to me - "be honest with yourself, how much would you ride (or want to ride) in the wet..." - and I guess that is a good question... The answer is probably "as little as possible..." which might not be a good answer, considering our very British climate.
What I'd like to do, is be able to make the decision when getting ready in the morning - "bike or car?" but would also appreciate input from anyone who has tried this, as I'm aware it might not work...
On days when it looks like rain, I can take the car... the bike purchase is always going to be something to sit alongside the car in the garage, not to replace it... but instead, I will replace it on a journey-by-journey basis... or is this a bit too simplistic a way of thinking?
I'm pretty open minded about what to go for, so appreciate opinions and ideas from all over the spectrum. It is probably fair to say I am more likely to go "Wow" at a Fatboy (to look at and to hear) than a race-replica (to give you some idea of where I stand at the extremes) but I'm trying to be a bit more circumspect than simply leaning towards what I think *looks* good, since obviously comfort, handling and general suitability are probably more important, particularly in the long run, and certainly if I'm not going to end up with something that sits in the garage until I sell it at a loss...
I will check out the CBR600. Sounds like as good a place as any to start...