Misery and Suffering

I have 2 xs1100s. When I got the second one, it was kinda confusing to my significant other, now my fiance, as to which was which. They looked different. One was a standard, and the other a special, but those words were meaningless to her. So I decided to name them. Misery was the special, a facotyr custum with a small gas tank and no fairing. I added an aftermarket windshield for some wind protection, but that was it. Misery, since you would be in misery if you got caught in any kinda of bad weather.

Suffering was the standard, a full dress touring bike, which woul dhave to suffer through all our road trips. The rule was simple, more than 100 miles one way, and we would take Suffering.

Both bikes broke last fall. Suffering blew and engine. Misery a wiring harness. Both have been fixed, though I got Suffering back first. Lately I have been riding Misery more. Misery was my first xs11. It is loud, with an aftermarket exhaust. A sharp note. Fast too, or seems it, the wind blowing by. I wonder sometimes why I got the other bikes. I do remember, though, when it is time to go somewhere, and the lack of luggage becomes a problem. Suffering's hard bags then seem so inviting, so perfect. but I wonder if I am missing something, behind the big windsheild listening to the xm radio and talking with my passenger with ease. Something viseral that Suffering shields me from, and Misery does not. Something about the feel of the road, and my place on it. Something that makes it all come together....