yesamnot, I have the Kuryakin board for 3 years now and am very pleased. No chrome issues at all with any of them (driver, passenger and highway boards), same with the trunk rack. What 'dawg is referring to is the fact that a heel shifter can make you rough on the shift forks with the amount of leverage and down force you can apply with your heel when shifting gears. Shifting smoothly and proper technique will prevent the problem. But welcome to GWOF.
Tommy, a '97 with 11k on it should be a very good bike. Just make sure the fuel system (carbs, lines, breather tubes etc) are sorted and you're good. Tires may be suspect with that low mileage on 16 years, probably originals so they have to go. I'd also replace the timing belts. If everything else works as it should, you're grand. Welcome.