JW, can only answer your questions as follows:
1. My MS, like all my previus bikes, tends to hibernate between late Nov and late Feb/March and therefore not best placed to answer this, but since I tend to clean my bike religiously at least weekly I've not encountered any problems. Bear in mind that even ST4s will collect as much crud etc behind fairing but unlike MS it's just not that obvious.
2. If you fancy a belly pan order it quickly/ I've been waiting since April although I'm told it MAY be here by end of month. Not convinced it'll give that much more protection though better wIth a mudguard extender. I know Keefyboy and a few others have fitted their own bespoke units.
3. Can't compare to either ST4s or VFR having not ridden either, but put it this way on all normal road riding I don't miss the 996 my MS replaced.
4. The fuel guage is, shall we say, quirky. Then again I do get pretty much circa 120miles between fill-ups.
5. Just fitted centre-stand before winter lay-off so haven't really had a chance to see how ground clearance affected during a 'spirited' ride.
Take my advice buy the MS save a grand on purchase price which you can put towards DP goodies like high screen, panniers etc, and you won't be disappointed.
Good Luck!
