Good suggestions on checking other places for cheaper prices, but I had already called and ordered with my local dealer. I'm going to the Cache Gathering/Rally in Kamiah, Idaho next week and wanted the fastest fix I could find.
Also, I had hoped that the warranty would have covered it ....(ROTFLMBO).... but no such luck.
I too would prefer a cast wheel as I do very little off road, but no luck there either. The Strom has both which might be a deciding factor on the next bike.
As for welding as a fix, I don't think I would ever be able to stop fretting about having a welded wheel, call me a worry wart. Also, I wondered if it was a defect in the wheel that caused the breakage, if so I don't want to risk riding on a defective wheel any more than necessary. "Necessary" - I found the break when I got home from a ride to Colorado, I had reservations in California starting 3 days later for another ride, so it was 'necessary' to ride with the broke wheel another 3000 miles. I was on edge about the wheel during that trip even while solo, I would not want to do that 2 up.
Spokes to tight? Maybe, but I don't think so. I have the specific torque wrench for spokes. When mine broke I also wondered if they were to tight, so I cranked them all back 1/4-ish turn and then re-torqued them. None of the spokes seemed overly tight when I backed them off.
ps the $850 price is the entire cost, wheel rim, lacing, and even the taxes.