It is all about creature comforts, even a 50cc bike can do the work - run down the road - from there it is what you want. Some want everything - BMW GS, others will sacrifice some - KLR650 - and you are willing to give up the extra power for get rid of a lot of weight. Sounds like you know what you're giving up and are okay with it.

One thought - spend the money to get the suspension revalved/resprung to suit your weight and added bike weight as well as getting a significantly more plush ride. I'd think a well set up 250 would work pretty well in the comfort area. But if you stack up a bunch of luggage and yourself on the stock set up you're going to have it wallowing and bottoming out a lot.

Oh, and I'd go with the 3.7 tank one way or another. A bit extra gas never hurts.

I've made my '12 into a nice little ADV bike. Built my own racks, fitted the Acerbis tank as well as a SC seat. I also use a sheepskin & Airhawk (for extra leg room)

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...22&oe=5740B743

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...a7&oe=5733E9DD

I wonder if fitting an earlier model seat wouldn't be an option to fix that? (not that it's a big deal).

I've thought about that, but it would require side plastic too and not sure that those would fit...

This is the sort of setup I have in mind. Although I was thinking soft bags. What cases are those? Made yourself?

I won't be under any time constraint, and I always go slow (to soak it in) when traveling, so not worried about long highway runs.

stewacide - you can see the tank/seat gap on Griffo's bike

yes, made myself from 20L fuel drums. I had to pay someone to weld the aluminium for the lids.

Griffo1962,

Can you provide some details on that windshield please?

it's off a Triumph XC. Made a couple of bent brackets from top of forks & drilled a small hole in the centre at the front. I plastic welded a small nut behind the mask to bolt it to.