These are all good points and i will think about them.
the blackout look is becoming quite the cliche I suppose. I don't see why you can't paint the stuff you don't want chrome on the same color as the bike. I intend to do this with Thumpy.
The weight is a concern. I've gone and sat on a Sportster 883 and a 1200 and was shocked by the weight of them. Very top heavy feel but that was standing still. I'm sure it's much different in motion.
One reason I'm even considering the Yammy is because my other half has a Vstar 650 that feels lighter than Thumpy even though its actually heavier. The way Yamaha managed to balance the center of gravity is magical on it so I was thinking the Stryker would be a similar feel. A lot of weight you don't immediately notice.
It's a bit of a conundrum to pick a bigger bike in light of a souped-up S40. The engine mods will take its performance up to the ballpark of a typical 800 cruiser but with half the weight. SO it seems pointless to me to bother with the 800CC class with it's guaranteed 500~ lbs.
the next logical step seems to be the 1000~ CC class.
For awhile i was quite taken with the Triumph Bonneville until I spoke with an owner of one who confided to me about the maintenance costs of that brand. Poor guy....
Anyway back to the Stryker, I'm not too concerned with ugly pipes. 1st thing to go
As for a physically smaller and lighter bike that will do what I want I have a huge temptation to buy and old 80s UJM. The majority of them are perfectly suited to my needs. I'd especially love to get my mitts on an 83 Yamaha Vision (XZ550). Beautiful bike, awesome engine...
But then I'm SOL anytime I need parts. I'll spend more time hunting for replacements than riding.
Also regarding weight I think a bit more weight is actually benefit for highway riding. Sure they fall harder but they don't get blown clear across a lane when a big rig passes you. This is my big concern with Thumpy. If I decide to take him for a ride to NYC to visit my dad how much exhaustion will I incur from fighting against pass-blast, wind and keeping the bike from going airborne on very rough highways at 70-75 mph?
I find the light weight of the S40 to be fatiguing to ride at length on highways as bad as these on the Eat Coast considering you cannot do less than 70 without a death wish.
I love Thumpy around town and especially on the rural backroads I can ride for hours on end. But just my commute to work down 95 for 19 miles tires me out.