I must say that I reckon this is a similar (here's the sexist bit I suppose!) to the naked or clothed female arguement. It's all a matter of taste and opinion.............
.....me? I like both my bikes & ladies to be clad in at least something. Bellypan or lowers make the difference on the SV and the pointy deffo looks the biz with lowers on. Joins? Big deal- that just says to me that they can be removed in sections to make servicing easier. No problem.
Each to their own in the end. I did wonder what Hovi5 was playing at with such a provocative remark.......
Garry