I had the same issue and sought advice for rectifying it. Some people offered that I needed to take the plunger unit apart, clean it and reinstall. I'm not comfortable w/doing that so I looked at it from a simpler perspective. I ended up doing like you did, spraying WD40 directly on the plunger...
I love Michelins but not the price. I've been using nothing but Dunlop Roadsmarts on my bikes ever since the D/RS series was introduced a decade or so ago. I've never been disappointed w/their performance or value either. Much less expensive than the Mich PR6s and the D/RSs are made in America...
I'm 225 lbs and I'd beg to differ. The previous owner was in excess of 300 lbs and rode the bike w/the Sargent for several years before I took the bike off his hands. I cannot agree w/your assessment.
A Sargent was 'too hard?' Never been my experience. I love the comfort they offer. I love Sargent seats. They fit me to a T. I've had them on virtually every bike I've owned going back to the early 80's. If you wait until the holidays, they normally offer a great sale price
I considered the T900GT but like all the FJ/Tracer versions, I found them ugly to behold. The newest gen is no better, may be even worse. If I'm dropping that kind of cash on a bike, I want to be able to look at it too. And Yamaha is asking stupid cash for the new gen, IMHO. The other point is...
I'm just now reading this story and all I can say is WOW. Getting older (closing in on 63) is definitely not for the weak. I've had my share of maladies, despite a lifetime of fitness, but nothing like this story. Yikes.
Dunlop Roadsmart IV's for me. Had them on my last FJR and my former Ninja 1000. D/RS's have worked well for my purposes and for the $$, best performing/long lasting ST tire available IMHO.
Lee