Also elaborate on #4 for us please. Is it comfort? Why do you prefer the Thruxton?
the way i describe it is that the two bikes have--from a functional standpoint--about 75-80% overlap. the 20% of non-overlap for the Streetie is top-end, neck-snapping performance (engine, brakes, flickability). . . the 20% for the Thruxton is intangible awesomeness it looks the way a moto is supposed to look, it sounds the way a moto is supposed to sound, it somehow feels smaller and lighter even though i know it's none of those two things. it feel more "sled-like". that said, i need to address this bike's disconcerting ass wiggle--something i remedied with better shocks on my first bike--an '05 bonnie black.
for what i use a moto for, there's not much that the Streetie can do that the Thruxton can't. . . I'm not a track-day guy, i don't do wheelies (I'm not a hooligan, in general). The Streetie is what Batman would ride--it's more badass than cool. I'm more a cool guy than a badass guy in terms of the bike i want, so, in the end the choice now seems clear.
if i ever get hooked on track days maybe my opinions will change, but the kind of track day i can imagine my self doing will likely be more thruxton-speed than streetie-speed anyway.
edit: comfort-wise i really like how the "modern classics" don't jam your crotch into the tank like the triples do. it helps that i'm 6'+ so the reach to the clip-ons doesn't feel like a rack-like torture device like they would for my buddy who stands at about 5'6". that longer reach makes it easier, too, to lean down and put your chin on the tank without smashing your face into the gauge cluster.
