[LakeCleElum]

With over 650,000 motorcycle under my belt, I'll try to answer your question:

I have to agree with you on the trailer thing. I've know some very good riders that crashed shortly after getting a trailer. They underestimate the increased braking distance and the effect of having the tongue push your rear wheel out from under you when having to brake suddenly while leaned over - like when a truck pulls out in front of you.

Other than that, last year I bought one of these bikes you describe and am ashamed to admit. I bought it for 2 reasons:

1) My wife will now go on some trips with me when she used to fly in.
2) My buddy in Australia last year loaned me one of his bikes for 2 weeks while I was there on a 5 week trip. HE had planned to come to the US, buy a bike like you describe brand new and sell it back to the dealer 2 months later. I said, I'll just buy one and it's yours when you come over.

That said, this could never, ever be my only bike. But, since I now have 13, it's a welcome addition at times. I do at least one 1,000 mile day each year. I've done many 1,150 mile days and one at 1,280 (San Diego to Seattle-1 day). When you know you have to make time cross country on the Inter-states, comfort counts. Four times this spring, I've ridden over the mountain pass with temps in the mid 30's....Total comfort with big fairing, heated vest/grips/seat.....Try that on your cruiser w/o protection.

I don't ride it around town at all, too heavy to wheel around the garage. On trips of 300 miles or less, my choice is a Honda ST 1300 that now has 117,00 miles...

In conclusion, if you know how to counter-steer correctly, they handle better than you would ever guess. Not, good, but better than most "Cruisers" out there. And, I'm not as young as I used to be. In 2012, I rode 21,000 miles. In 2013, it was 18,000+.....Different strokes....YMMV