this type of thinking is a product of a consumer economy, where marketing has
indoctrinated us to believe price = quality, but more importantly has instilled
the belief that greater price = greater prestige. look at me! i'm special!

i'm not sure people are saying a $1K bicycle is as good as a $5K bicycle, at
least not in terms of retail price value. i think what they're saying is a $1K
touring bicycle is a better tool for loaded touring than a crispy, brittle, $5K
carbon fiber zoom-zoom racing machine.

you're comparing apples and rutabagas, where the only similar aspect between
the two is the currency symbol. does it really matter that rutabagers cost
$12/pound vs "inferior" apples at $3/pound....if momma's makin' apple pie?

you "test drived" an unloaded LHT and an unloaded inferior 920 for 5 minutes
each in a wally-world parking lot. you purchased an overpriced, under-engineered
gee-whiz-don't-i-look-cool product for two grand and then bolted on a bunch
of make-me-look-cooler gadgets for who knows how much more.....based on
your ten minutes of touring experience....around your neighborhood?