Pauly

To be a little more clear.. turning the screw in would make it more bumpy at speed. It doesn't speed up the damping. It restricts hydraulic flow.

Yep. My bike calls for 43R/37F. Not sure what a Connie weighs, but the GSA is mid-500s.

Now THAT is sport touring.

Turning the screw in fully would slow damping, not speed it up.

How many miles on the bike? The rear shock could need rebuilt/replaced. I agree the damping screws should not be fully turned one way or the other. I used to chew through rear tires on the Multistrada in <2500 miles on a Gap trip. I was 1-up and running fully adjustable Ohlins front and rear. I can see how a heavy bike, 2-up with OEM spec suspension could burn through a tire in the same manner. Personally, I would start with a high end shock set to factory suggested settings and see how it goes from there. Your pic doesn't look that bad in my opinion. It's been hot and you know how to ride. Tires have to compensate for inadequate suspension. This causes premature wear for sure.

You have piqued my ADV newbie interest.

A buddy and I rode 400 miles into WV for the night. Getting ready for breakfast tacos and coffee and then a quick zoom home.

She'll run on diesel.

@Likwid

Could have used that extra 2 gallons of fuel capacity Matt didn't know he had.

I'd siphoned it right into the garbage can, too.

You're welcome for the spare water. Too bad your girly purse-sized panniers won't hold extra water.

Just like its pilot?

Apparently they aren't bigger at that particular fuel station.

I am pretty sure he waved thank you. I was standing there when it happened.

What a dumbass.

Racist.

I drove to Pendergrass, Georgia for work last year. On my way through Franklin I stopped and purchased a bowl to go. 10/10 would do again. Especially since work picked up the tab. Looking forward to another bowl. I did find a place that will give Cafe Rel a run for its money on crab bisque. Mark's Prime Steakhouse in Ocala, Florida is unbelievably good. Pricey and I was relegated to the bar due to my jeans and t-shirt, but it was really good. I took mom out for dinner and dropped $150 between the two of us. I had one whiskey and she drank Coke. Totes delish, though.

They're also another $10k above the Connie and FJR in MSRP. If 2-up isn't a thing and sticking to the budget is... then I would buy the FJR. If a deal was to be had, I could buy someone's gently-used Concours snce it's still the same thing as the brand new one. Warranty schmarranty. Might as well save myself $12k and buy a garage queen. Honestly, the same goes for the FJR. I could live with manually adjustable clickers on a 1-up sport-tourer and save myself $10k AFTER I dropped $2k on the suspension. Electronically controlled damping and preload is nice, but on the FJR it isn't THAT much better than a quality shock and cartridge setup. A brand new Concours is no more reliable than an older one and the same mostly applies to the FJR. I know you didn't ask for any of the above advice.

Who doesn't love the symphonic acoustics of a big-bore boxer roaring through their neighborhood on a lazy Sunday morning?

I think that is hard-coat anodizing and not black paint.

When I get to take a week and hit the Smokeys I will be staying in Franklin at least a couple nights. Odd hours require odd strategy.

Is Kawi dropping a new Connie next year?