Originally Posted by markharf

I find myself exhausted and in desperate need of a nap every time I check these threads. OP, you've run through the options and variations on Vstrom, CB, Norton, Norden, GS, XT, KTM, AT, T7, Super 10, RE, and probably a whole slew I'm forgetting. That includes purchase of at least two very different bikes about which you declared the beginning of an "adventure." You must enjoy the evaluating and winnowing a lot more than I do--I'd have long since made a decision, taken the plunge, and never looked back.

In the event that you'd actually really like to make a decision--which has the advantage of freeing up time for OTHER pursuits--I'm thinking maybe choose a short list of priorities, take your best guess as to which will satisfy most of them, then act accordingly. Whatever you choose, I can promise it'll have major disadvantages--price, weight, power, convenience, maintenance, glamour, accessories, _______, and ________ [insert whatever other qualities you believe important in this space]. That's a given.

Of course there's nothing wrong with shopping around intensively for for another year or two or five, as long as that's where you find your pleasure. But what you're doing now sounds remarkably like what it appears you were doing five years ago, i.e., comparing dissimilar bikes without resolving anything except that none of them check all the boxes. In my mind, that's a good place to *start*, then move on: "None are perfect, so here's what I'm going to do....tomorrow, if not today."

Edit to add: maybe it's obvious I own a KLR and a DL 650, as I have for the past 15 years. Both were obvious choices, and both suit me just fine (although I might switch out the former one of these days).

Just a thought. As always, ignore whatever doesn't apply.

Mark