I know it is some steep competition out there. The Duc1098 is as powerful as the japs and the same price now.The speed triples are incredible and the new mini speed based on the 675 Daytona is awesome and a good buy. That 800 GS though is a really nice practical bike. Repliracers are fun in the fast corners but you have to look at what kind of riding you do. If you do a lot of commuting and town miles having your bum in the air like a horny female monkey is not the way to go.
My 919 kills faster bikes around town but on the highway that wind gets tiring.
I bet the speed3 is the same. The GS can do commuting and backroads but might not be a great choice for the interstate.

Some other bikes are the Suzuki Vstrom ,it is not nearly as cool as the GS but is about half the cash and just as capable.

If I was going to do some long distance highway miles the new Kawi Concourse with a 150+HP engine from there Hayabusa killer and all the touring comforts would be nice. It is also half the price of the BMW version and just as nice.

If you like the GS but want to be able to do the highways as well the Buell Ulysses is a good choice. The new Buell streetfighters have dropped the old sporty mill for a nice Rotax.

I don't like the big heavy harlys except for touring but some of the new Sportys are great little city bikes. I especially like the Nightster. Also the Triumph
Scrambler is a nice classic looking bike with modern running gear for about 8 grand.