Headlights on the new ones are definitely not attractive. What is attractive is the torque curve. It looks like someone drew it with a straightedge & a level. The new "R" model looks technically attractive abiet a little pricy. Get one & report back to us.
Glad you are all back (relatively) safe. The next time you guys plan a ride have a little courtesy & don't plan it for a day when I have other obligations.
I have ridden many miles on plugged tires without failure. With that said, I would not ride to (except limping home) with a plug that was so large that I wouldn't have fair warning if it did fail. I currently have a 1/4" cut (not hole) in my rear tire on my 1000rr that goes from 34 psi to 15 psi in about 45 minutes. I will be repairing this using silicone adhesive & an internal vulcanized patch. There seems to be a lot of unsubstantiated fear concerning tire repairs.
I would have come down Saturday for a SE OH ride but I can't now. I did a 450 miler yesterday (83,78,260,26,255) & came back with a slit in my rear tire that now have to deal with Saturday instead of ride.
I'm off tomorrow also. I was planning a a solo ride SR83 south all the way, then SR555 north to SR60 north. I've got to be back in North Ridgeville fairly early so I'll be in Coshocton heading south around 10 am. You're more than welcome to join.
The rider is always at least partially responsible for any crash. Mine were always caused by cornering too fast for conditions (gravel around a blind corner, cold tires on a cold day). Oh shit moments trigger panic reactions which in turn cause crashes. You're better off riding relaxed. Easier said than done though. It takes focused practice. (Track= good, less distractions, safer runoffs).
I'll tell you the same thing I told the LEO in the grocery store parking lot when he asked "how fast have you had that thing up to?" 65. He said it was a good answer. By the way. Greetings from Dusseldorf.
Life is a lot like riding a motorcycle. Target fixation & such. Look where you want to go, not where you don't. Cultivating a positive attitude isn't easy but it goes a long way. Good luck in getting out of your doldrums.