I've looked at both a Varadero & a Strom as possible replacements for my 1150. For the road riding that I do either would be fine but the main downsides I've found are that the Varadero is thirsty and earlier Stroms are a bit iffy on the build quality.
You can buy hard luggage for both & aftermarket heated grips etc..., it's just a case of fitting a Scottoiler and either seem quite sensible alternatives
Sticking with the GS for now though
the varadero is a very capable bike .. alittle heavy but qhite fast
it will tour longer than you can and has a smashing engine
the horror stories you hear about fuel will be from habitual thrashers i have a o2 carbie [renowm for being heavy on juice
but if you ride it as it was designed you will get about 185 to the light
[ no fuel guage ] 18 to 19litre s used 4 to 5 to go ..thats 40 plus every time
alittle less for town work
its only 5 speed but top gear roll ons at 80 will blitze the gs
the front suspension is a bkit sloppy on the o2 better on the inj models hypo progreesive spring s will cure the understeer based on a long tour the vara will do similar times to the gs but is very capable in all but the balls out situations
tyhe v strom is 40kgms lighter ..as standard rides a little chopper like
it needs alittle work to get it handling right
rasing links ....1" rear drop forks 5mm road biased tyres and you really do have a gs beater [ que howls of derision ] in big trailie terms its fast
the motor is a peach and makes its power slightly differently than the gs which is stronger lower down but asthmatic higher up ...[ the 5 thou cough two up is a pain ]
it revs to 9500 and makes more power higher up but has to be revved more when going for the more spirited ride but when you get used to it its well fast
its imprtant to do the suggested mods and the difference from standard is prounounced
two up it has a much more impressive motor you just need to spin it more ..it will hold a respnsive gear longer you have to feel your way onto it
take the standard bike ..do the un expensive mods ..there aint much in it
the brakes lack some initial bite but when you get used to applying the correct pressure there well good enough [ you do have to squeeze but they are effective and have never failed [ahem ]
the o/d 6th gear comes into its own at about 90mph two up ...the whole ride is a lot less stressed at these speeds as a 110mph cruser its cool
servicing costs are home done nothing major until 16000miles [valves ]
ive done 10000 between the two of them 0 servicing costs 0 problems
must admit as a ex blackbird person [60 and 77000 miles ] [ servicing 0 problems ..one rectifier ] im tempted by the gtr 1400 ......as my uber tourer early doors but we will see
ps this is the best screen combination this side of a ford mondeo its unreal at big speed its like sitting in the front room
for long distances it a huge plus for me and margaret just no buffeting at all
the madstad brackets are a absalute must you can still see over the screen if you had a lighter fitted big cigar flip uplid 100mph na bother
you can have a lot of fun for a fraction of gs money 
l
