Agreed. I bought my 05 DL650 two years ago with 3,000 miles for $4,200. I was coming off a long list of sportbikes and sport-tourers but wanted to start trying some of the dirt roads I had been seeing in my travels. What really sold me on the V-Strom was the pics online of how much it could carry. These things have 3rd row seating. Although it was never my intention, my 650 has become the beloved beater of my garage. I take care of it mechanically but beat the crap out of it otherwise. I ride it far more than my other bikes and I take it places it was never intended to go. I started with a Givi setup until this happened. I hit a patch of sand and lowsided at 55 mph. Just a banged up knee for me. The 650 went tumbling end over end on the rocks but the cases and mounts were intact and I rode it 2,000 miles home from Cali. For 2009 trip to Alaska, I talked myself into replacing my scratched up Givi side cases with the Caribou Case 36L system. I wanted the extra capacity and Caribou touts itself as the "world's toughest M/C luggage" The cases, which are not made by Caribou, are tough, but the racks are total garbage. I had a 20mph lowside in deep gravel and the racks bent like tin foil. I plan on mounting my cases to Givi racks next and will probably get another set of 21's for local grocery runs and weekend trips. I hope to meet/ride with some of you, Brian