Quote:

I feel I should add that I was much younger at the time.



I wasn't thinking of Iron Butt rides. I have done several, including one on the Speedy in '06 with a healing broken leg (2 metal plates and 17 screws and collapsable walking-sticks in my saddlebags - as some of you will remember).

By longer rides I mean something like extensive touring.
For example, I have ridden the Speedy to 23 countries (actually officially 26, but including Gibraltar, Andorra and Monaco would have been petty in my book ) in the last 2 years alone. I have already said that it's do-able.
It is within this context that I consider the T-Bird more suitable (at least power-wise and not getting thrown all over the place), if I wasn't clear enough earlier.
I think it's a joke for me to think otherwise (at least on paper, since I haven't ridden it).

Bedouin. Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).