I voted MV. I didn't use to think of the MV as such a "gold standard", but the more you talk with other riders, and not just track guys the more you realize the MV really is the tops. I don't care much for the MV Star wheels, thats just me, but the Silver/Red heritage colours are amazing in person and demand respect.
The BMW on the other hand has the power, and electronics etc.. but it does have some goofy looks. Sitting on it, I don't have to worry about looking at (unless I involuntarily separate from the ride, in which I would cringe not only from the site of my bike sliding but from it being rather hard on the eyes). Sitting also screams Japanese, as does the rest of the aesthetics aside from the mismatched asymmetrical fairings and nose. Yes the 1098 has asymmetrical fairings, as nearly all bikes do due to the sidestand, but not to the dramatic affect of the BMW. Much like sex appeal, where people look for symmetrical traits to identify as matches, I think many look at bikes the same way. There are more manufacturers coming out with these odd-ball designs though, Nissan with the Cube...not so symmetrical, but people are adapting what they consider attractive. Sometimes the form is first, sometimes function. To MV has the perfect blend of both, where BMW threw form out the window and focused on function only.
Just my thoughts.
The BMW on the other hand has the power, and electronics etc.. but it does have some goofy looks. Sitting on it, I don't have to worry about looking at (unless I involuntarily separate from the ride, in which I would cringe not only from the site of my bike sliding but from it being rather hard on the eyes). Sitting also screams Japanese, as does the rest of the aesthetics aside from the mismatched asymmetrical fairings and nose. Yes the 1098 has asymmetrical fairings, as nearly all bikes do due to the sidestand, but not to the dramatic affect of the BMW. Much like sex appeal, where people look for symmetrical traits to identify as matches, I think many look at bikes the same way. There are more manufacturers coming out with these odd-ball designs though, Nissan with the Cube...not so symmetrical, but people are adapting what they consider attractive. Sometimes the form is first, sometimes function. To MV has the perfect blend of both, where BMW threw form out the window and focused on function only.
Just my thoughts.