Hey Brett
i am also a rider, ive had many bikes (american, european, and japanese)but the best bike ive owned to date is my 1990 kawasaki zx11, i bought this bike in 1996 and it is great for long trips....i do the same thing with the riding, i ride for a month strait, then not touch the bike for 2-3 weeks.the best bar hopping bike i had was my 68 sportster stroker (77inches)loud as a mutha f#(ker but that bike was a bear to ride any more than to the bars.id have to fill the tank every 50 miles.......