I've been riding the S10 a lot in traffic lately (read: having to shift a lot) and down shifting has always been catchy, clunky.
Yes I have lubed the shifter, blaa, blaa, blaa. Upshifts are buttery. That along with the twin pulse this engine has
(read: I love 4 cylinders) and I never go off road, has always got me thinking about the bike I was thinking of before the Tenere.
The Kaw Versys 1K. I know people have gone both directions in owning them. My biggest dislike is the chain drive, then no cruise control.
(I have a 2012 S10 so don't have it anyway).
The similar ego's, slipper clutch for very light clutch control and that engine, just can't get it out of my mind.
Snagging a ride on one around here is nearly impossible. That's the only way to know.
I hardly trust others opinions as they are so subjective.
OK, off my bitch box!......................................No wait, not done!
What about the big Honda with the V4? Really smooth and good power. My friend has a new Versys and I like the room of the S10 better. He is like you and doesn't like twin cylinder engines so it works for him. I like all the configurations of engines on motorcycles and I think the S10 engine works great. A lot of this is just a matter of personal preference and lots of choices. Versys 108 HP/ S10, 98 HP.
I hate that I've spent a lot of time getting the S10 set-up the way I wanted, and still to get it right, I need to re-flash it and get a better seat (hate the stock one).
So that's another $700 possibly, and then I still have the issues mentioned above.
Maybe I'm getting too picky as I get older.
Ok, now off the box.....................................really!