I asked questions before I bought mine - and found out I knew more about the bike then they did. "Forged pistons or cast?" "Uh, forged I think" (nope). "They switched to a built-up cam in the 96" motor, are these the same way or one-piece?" "Same as the 96" (nope). I even had two factory reps at the 2007 Expo state with complete confidence that there were no catalytic converters in the SERK, and that there was one in the right pipe only. You can ask all the questions you want about what something does, and why it's like that, but that won't tell you how it's going to work a year from now, or even the first time it's off the lift. Looking at a bike in the showroom for two hours won't tell you what problems it may have in the future. Listening to the guy who wants only to sell it to you won't either. Reading people's experiences on here, complaints, whining or otherwise, will. Can't wait until you have some problem so people can tell you to quit your complaining - what, did you buy a pig in a poke?