Would like recommendations

I'm 6' 6" and about 14 stone, don't look too big on the bike. As for the slipper clutch, don't bother, just get some miles under your belt on the SD, you'll adapt quickly enough. As for the screen, I wouldn't bother unless you habitually ride over 100mph.

The bike is not the best in traffic in my opinion. In 1st gear with 0 throttle, if you let out the clutch the bike instantly climbs to 9mph. Thats the highest no throttle 1st gear I've ever ridden. You'll have to feather the clutch and throttle up to keep it from stuttering all over itself like a good twin does or to keep it under 9mph. Your plenty tall for the SD so that base is covered. If you liked the bike during the test drive why not pull the trigger. Hey you can always keep the hornet for another year and see what comes out next year.

IMHO if all I did was ride around London with 10 miles of highway I'd get a 690 Duke or the new 690 super moto. Or even better yet the 690 smc Theres just something about spoked wheels.... Cheap, reliable and awefully flickable.

Hi MrBlond, I ride my (06) SD every day through Brisbane traffic and find it is perfectly suited - high bars and narrow bike mean easy to squeeze through gaps, adequate steering lock good for slow maneuvering. Clutch and gears are nice and smooth, and since I changed to a 16T front sprocket, added Leo Vince exhausts with the Akra map it is smooth enough low down. For me engine breaking is fine, nothing too harsh - but as a few others have pointed out, big bore V Twins have alot more than inline fours.

As for motorway riding, I find 100mph+ speeds sustainable no problem but then in 15 years of biking I have only ever owned one faired bike so maybe I'm just used to the wind.

Now the bad news - SD fuel economy is pretty dire in town, coupled with the 06 small tank size I get 60 miles before reserve light comes on. Occasionally stalls while riding but this something I have always experienced with big Vs, and owning an SD will seriously affect your ability to keep your licence (I have just 3 points left till I have to catch the train!).

All in all it is without a doubt the finest machine I have ever owned and so much fun I can't believe everyone doesn't have one.

easy for weaving in and out of traffic, clutch is heavy though, but your forearms will get used to it. First gear will keep your arm exercised (in and out of it in traffic). I am 6 ft and 98 KG, plenty comfy.... Go for it!