marina wrote on 05/12/08 at 09:49:32:....I will hate my butt on roadtrips with the one cylinder, and that the vibration will annoy me to no end....
As others note, Suzuki did a fabulous job with the counterbalancer and this thumper mostly doesn't. As I remember it, my '82 or so GS450E Twin buzzed a lot worse at Interstate speeds. Both with the twin and the single, limiting speed to about 70 mph cures the buzzing -- AND you don't have to worry about Johnny Law!
I heard of the GEEIA reunion in OKC, planned to attend. Wasn't too sure about my physical ability to endure a roadtrip, so after work one Friday I got home, took a nap, got on the bike about 9pm, road 100+ freeway miles to the Palm Springs area, refueled, took a leisurely putt through Joshua Tree National Park (ain't nothin' prettier than the Mojave under a Full Moon,) refueled, took the freeway home. Surprized myself -- didn't get tired, didn't get sore, but the Flyscreen is no good with 30+mph headwinds. Did it again, with the Street Shield and airline carryon luggage -- much better (especially as I was able to brew a cup of tea about 3 am.)
So I did it, rode Thumper to the Reunion:
Started by doing L.A. to Amarillo, 1085 miles, in two days. My butt and feet didn't care for it and I knew I would not be able to do Jonesboro AR - Needles CA for a BB1500 back from visiting #1 daughter which reverted to plan B, 300 mi/day on two lanes back to L.A.. BUT.....
That's a 60-year-old butt that gets stiff and sore on the livingroom sofa if I don't move about once in a while; a younger butt might not have that problem. I don't think a multi-cylinder bike would help as the problem was not vibration, but was instead a matter of not being able to shift position much. I definitely need floorboards before the next long trip. Already have a wider sprung saddle that needs mounting.
As others note, convert to chain and you'll be able to reduce the RPM at speed and reduce the vibration from a buzzzzzz to a rumble -- think the prankster's handshake "joy buzzer" versus a motel's vibrating bed.
And please note that this is all subjective. What is comfort for one is pain for another.
If you want to yank their chains, tell the guys that you enjoy having something hot and throbbing between the thighs.