This is a thread I've been waiting for. Believe it or not, some people on a BMW Airheads forum have been discussing bikes, especially the LHT which I had pretty much ruled out due to my several miles of crummy gravel each way. But the bike guys there said the LHT will handle it. So as you answer the OP, please include what your ride/commute is like as part of the explanation.

...then there's the Trek Portland that one of you here is so happy with.... :-)