My buddy with no wives, has just bought his fourth bike: a KLR650. We traded bikes, and I followed him on wet country roads. For a reason I can't figure, the bike inspires confidence and I kept up with him despite being on knobbies. The wide bars and upright stance are not fatiguing and the newer style fairing has very good knee protection and moderate windshield effectiveness. It could use a taller windshield, but at least it doesn't have buffeting. The lightness of the bike and the high seat position somehow works to make the experience easy. The shocks work well enough for rough road and potholes. I twisted it up to 80 mph on wet roads and only had a "no worries, mate" attitude; I probably would have ridden slower on my ST. With a taller windshield and grip warmers, this would be a terrific commuter bike.