It's a totally different riding position between the two bikes, and that's the main difference between the 2. Really this is a decision you should be making on your own. Go on a sport bike board and you'll hear most say they don't know how we ride bikes with forward controls. Go to a cruiser site and it's the opposite. If you can't test ride those bikes if they're not local, at least find a Triumph dealer and amaybe they'll let you ride them.
There is going to be more frequent maintenance on these Triumphs than the VStrom, but the difference isn't much. IIRC, the Vstrom says to adjust the valves every 15,000 miles, on our bikes it's every 12,000 miles. Oil changes and chain/sprocket maintenace and longevity are going to be about the same. Vstrom also has fuel injection which CAN be more durable than carbs and easier to maintain.
