grizld,
I am not directly comparing the XS to any modern bike, just questioning my own (and other's) urge to modify perfectly good stock classic bikes. I must have purchased well over $6000 worth of goodies for my XS already, which in hindsight may not be the smartest thing I have done.
Especially in light of the new Duc Scrambler, as it is the first retro in a while that has decent power combined with low weight and classic good looks (in my opinion at least)
I bought my XS as a cosmetically restored, mechanically stock runner in 2010, and my first trip on it was riding it home through most of Norway, 1800 km door to door, over 3 days. And as this was in early May, the temperatures ranged from -5C to maybe +10C, on snow covered, wet, and sometimes dry roads. And the only problem I had was the licence plate screws vibrating loose. Obviously, after 15 years and 100 000 km on a 1995 Ducati Monster 600 (680 kit, Keihin FCR, slip ons, etc) I soon found the XS to be a bit low on power, brakes and suspension, as well as a bit heavy, even the sound was a tad disappointing. And there the modifications began. Due to bying a second RD350A in 2011, and a Ducati ST2 in 2012, my XS project has slowed down a lot......But I am still working slowly on it, last week my youngest son made me a rear caliper bracket on a CNC mill at work. Maybe I'll be able to finish all mods this year, between renovating my kitchen etc. Or at least get the rear disc brake, rearsets, and Brembo caliper at the front working....