PS: Have the ABS and it has saved my bacon at least once. A lot of those "experiecned" riders that advise putting the bike down to avoid an accident... probably did but it may not have been their first choice.

 

So glad you put that word in quotes, "experienced". Nothing makes me laugh more than hearing somebody exclaim they had to "put the bike down" to avoid an accident. Uh, you put the bike down, it's now an accident. And, let's see if I get them right, metal sliding down the road stops quicker than rubber??!! What an idiotic thought! If they only knew how stupid they sound.
Glad you commented on that.

Heat issues? Got 96 & a 103. I agree with most here that all else being equal, I can't imagine the heat difference should be significant. Emphasis on equal. Having said that, my 103 has always run hotter than my 96. I originally thought the stage I upgrade would cool things a bit. Not really, in fact worse. A crap tune on my PC-V had it running REALLY hot, as in un-drivable in any sort of in-town riding. Threw my own modified tune on it and it's better. Still runs hotter than my 96. Even my girl's 96 on her SG runs decent. I know my 103 still needs tweaking though.
So, ultimately, I feel your tune will likely dictate if your bike is going to run 'normal' hot vs. way-too hot. If you can swing the dough, go with the 103. Hell, I'd go that route just for the added ABS, alarm & oil cooler.

 

I bought a 2011 SG w/Power Pak. Not only do you get ABS and security and an oil cooler, but you also get a higher compression ratio, 9.6:1 as opposed to 9.2:1. You also get automatic compression releases. I figure counting the oil cooler and ACR's installed, the 103" cost less than $300. Not a bad deal in my mind, but what do I know. Ride safe.

 

DA Butcher

NICE BIKE