The new ones do indeed have a revised suspension that has less travel, front and rear, however, the spring rates have been revised and are more progressive. The engine and transmission are pretty much the same. The brakes are better. The spokes are fatter and the forks are thicker. They now have push-to-cancel turn signals. And the bodywork is way better.

Other than that, not a whole lot changed, really. I don't like the high-mounted front fender, as it acts like a sail at freeway speeds and makes the front end light. I'm thinking of fitting a hard fender close to the wheel, as there's not much of a mud problem in AZ where I ride. The stock tires suck, too. Sand is scary with them, and the thought of picking up a heavy, water-cooled, big-tanked bike is no fun, not to mention the expensive scratches it causes.

Really, though, you actually heard these versions weren't as good? I hadn't heard that at all. It's still like a Montero; doesn't go fast, doesn't look real flashy, doesn't do any one thing really well, it just does it all, within reasonable limits.

John B.