There's some good advice on this thread. For example, I've always thought in terms of having two bikes, having a slower type (R E ) and a bigger touring bike like maybe an oil head BMW. But the idea of a cheap Japanese bike, used, but in good shape has a lot going for it. If you mod-out an R E you are still limited in top or continuous high speed, and you will put a couple grand into beefing it up in a blink of an eye (check the catalogue). I came close to buying a couple of Japanese bikes that would have fit the freeway purpose, in seemingly very good shape, for less than two grand. Of course there are other factors such as registration and insurance costs on two bikes, so ideally maybe a bike should do all things, but having a really nice, show-piece R E for casual use, and the other as a work horse that you don't feel you need to make shine, isn't a bad idea.