Hey Dave and Welcome from Alabama! Y'all talk like us too, lol. I hope you can find the bike you like. It is definitely a step toward having the perma-grin.
You guys have milder weather than Alabama but I ride year round also. Just took my R3 for a quick spin after dark tonite. I don't usually ride after dark due to the deer population in my area but had to try the bike out after installing a RamAir kit this afternoon. These bikes are very easy to mod having exceptional gains with aftermarket exhaust, free flowing intake and an ECU remap. The RamAIr kit woke it up nicely!
You will find so much knowledge here and some really great guys that take the time to be helpful to us fellow rocketeers. Keep us posted on the R3 hunt!
Chris