as for the bike...looks good, but still kinda plain. Given the option of the gen 7 or this suzuki...i think I'll be keeping the gen 5 for quite some time...even if I did have the cash burning a hole in my pocket.
Despite what that article says, it looks just like a Bandit with fairings to me. More touring oriented maybe, and the price will be nice compared to the new VFR, but it's not in the same league as the VFR either IMO. With luggage (esp. hard luggage if offered/available) I think it would make a nice sport-tourer, but there just isn't anything that really stands out about the bike, ya know?