A V-twin is a great choice for ME/NH - the roads are twisty (and bumpy), so top-weighted powerbands are pretty useless (and you'd be dead before you hit top speed). You want that V-twin torque powering out of corners.
I'd go with the V-Strom for reliability. And while you didn't mention it, it's de rigeur for people to suggest bikes not on your list, so... have you considered the SV-650 or 1000? I bought a Bandit 600 for "this bike has to do everything" reasons, but if I had to do it over again, I'd probably get the 650S.
Check out the schedule at NHIS this summer. There's lots of weekend club racing. No reason to pay the extra money to get into the grandstands - there's some bleachers at a corner where you can see the racers zip by. Good excuse for a ride.
I'd go with the V-Strom for reliability. And while you didn't mention it, it's de rigeur for people to suggest bikes not on your list, so... have you considered the SV-650 or 1000? I bought a Bandit 600 for "this bike has to do everything" reasons, but if I had to do it over again, I'd probably get the 650S.
Check out the schedule at NHIS this summer. There's lots of weekend club racing. No reason to pay the extra money to get into the grandstands - there's some bleachers at a corner where you can see the racers zip by. Good excuse for a ride.
