Before I ended up getting the MTS, I was also considering the Kawasaki Versys and Buell Ulysses, and maybe V-Strom, BMW 650GS(?).

My checklist was I wanted a good all round touring bike that could do off-road pretty well, but that I could use for city riding since it was going to be my only bike ...

Looks like a very cool trip ptooey! And those Versys look better in Aussie green than US red IMO. Sorry to hear about the crash of your 'Strada, is it just me or does this seem to be a disturbing trend lately? I genuinely hope you and your bike are both doing well.

Funny you mentioning the green ...

Me and a couple of friends have gone on a coupla road trips with both bikes-- me on a MTS and them on Versys'.

Before I ended up buying my MTS I was considering and then test rode the Versys-- call me spoilt, especially since my previous bike was a Monster 620, but as soon as I took off on the ...