Well, I'd say your choice comes down to a simple test drive of each and a gut feel for which one you like better. Both are good machines overall but both have drawbacks, just like everything else. I still have to think that the Simplicity's suspension has got to do something for it but it might not move much until you get it moving along and the full weight of the machine and rider come into play rather than just pushing on it in the showroom. My pickup's suspension doesn't move much until I put a little weight in it and drive it down a bumpy back road. So if you test drive the Simplicity find some bumps and hit them good and see what happens.
twall, thanks for the enlightenment on the Kawasaki "parts hell". I always rank Kawasaki as one of the best but I have never had to fix one. Most of my experience with them was before all of the ethanol in the gas that kills carbs. I still think Kawasaki makes one heck of a good motor for overall quality but your point is well taken about factoring in long term cost of ownership (and level of frustration/blood pressure). Change is good but yearly change is planned obsolescence and a profit grab by Kawasaki.
I read and responded to your comments about Kohler in that other thread and could not agree more. They are certainly not what they used to be unfortunately for folks like me who got royally burned by them. Yes I bash Kohler every chance I get because they cost me a lot of money and had a "too bad, screw you" attitude so they deserve every ounce of mud I can sling at them.
As far as breaking stuff, my buddy is famous for it and I think he is strangely proud of it. He likes to say, "If at first you don't succeed, force it". He cracks me up but I don't let him use my stuff.
