Why thank you Michael.
The problem, as I see it, is mainly the front end - the forks seals are leaking yet again (3 expensive visits in 4 years albeit one visit was to rectify too much oil in the forks at the first visit (another reason I don't use the pre-eminent Honda/Beemer dealer south of Adelaide ever, ever again)), the front disks and pads are due for replacement. And there is a serious rattle coming from the front which I suspect is the linked brake thingy down on the LHS of the front wheel. These are jobs which need knowledge, skill and the right tools. I'm happy to tackle a fuel pump or speed sensor but playing with something like the front end that is vital to ones safety - I know my limitations.
On the other side of the coin, considering the enjoyment I've had from the bike, it doesn't owe me a thing and I'll be really sad to see it go and selling it in its current condition is not ideal and so it is quite a conundrum as to what to do.
Replace isn't really an option. The other bike is a 2017 V-Strom 1000 and I really don't have too many complaints given it's about 90kg lighter and plenty of grunt - excepting it's got a chain, it's not the right colour, it's not as pretty, it doesn't have the same road presence, the rider is more open to the elements and it chews through the dual road tyres (10,000km from a set of Metzler Tourance tyres which in my view is terrible). Actually, it's not as bad as I make out but it's not a 2008 Honda St1300