everyone always talks all that - better start with a 600, then 750, then 1000, then maybe one day a busa...i call bs on that, its all in your right wrist man. I suppose I could kinda understand that philosophy for people with absolutely no self control, but then again, if you have no self control you need to stay off sportbikes anyway. She is a beast, but only when you want. I've done 740 mi. in a day once, it really wouldn't have been bad had I not had a back pack on. If your gonna tour you might check into saddlebags, tankbags, bar risers, touring screens, etc. Backpacks are for short trips.