The local Suzuki and Buell dealers had test rides this weekend and I took out these bikes.
SV1000
The Suzuki is awesome but a little bit too much torque for around-town riding. A 1/8 twist of the throttle and you'd land in your neighbour's yard or around a telephone pole. It's manners at speed though were wonderful. It took bends willingly where the GS would require more persuasion. Plently of power anywhere in the rpm band. The transmission is smooth and there's no drivetrain backlash. I could touch ground flat footed (I am 5'9") and the leg position when riding was good. My wrist was getting a little cramped from working the clutch at a more strained angle.
Buell FIREBOLT SB9R
The Buells are torque monsters! I rode the Firebolt 9R (Fairing) which is almost 1 litre. It had comparable torque to the SV1000. I had a hard time working the shifter because my foot seemed to be at an awkward angle. Looks like you can attach a Lightning foot peg which would drop your foot lower by 1". The transmissions on the Buells are not as slick as the SV as I quite often hit neutral by accident on the way down to 1st. The tranny also seemed quite "clunky" as it clunked into the next gear.
Buell Lightning SB12S
The Lightning 12S (naked) was awesome. I found it to be more nimble than the Firebolt. The riding position is very upright and the foot peg is 1" lower. Still the bike does not have a refined feel like the SV1000. At idle, your fillings will come loose waiting for a red light. Off the line it's awesome, dump it into second, twist the throttle again and you are doing a power wheelie to 3rd gear. This was a very fun bike to ride and easy on your wrists and back. The Buells seem to have a very short wheel base which seems weird at first but it works really well for the Lightning. It brings the bars back far enough that you can bend your elbows.
Buell BLAST
Can't say much good about the Blast. It makes a cool sound but other than that ... I kept hitting the rev limiter (no tach). It has a very scooter like riding position - which is comfortable. I had the same troubles shifting and getting it into neutral by accident. Brakes were spongy. The Blast was the last bike I rode that day. By comparison, the GS is smooth and refined, plenty of braking power, easy to handle and fun to ride.
Anyway ... that's my opinion.
Rob