Jinglebob,
I'm glad you wrote this. I have been wondering for the last 5.5 years whether I did the right thing by buying this motorcycle. I suspected I did the right thing, so I never bailed out of my decision. I just upgraded the LS650 a little bit to get more power and better sound. I'm a 64 year old guy, but I'm a little lighter and can go faster than 70mph. However, at my age, 90mph on a motorcycle is pretty scary. I click off 100mph fairly frequently in my Honda S2000, but rarely exceed 70mph on my LS650; too scary.
This bike does have booming acceleration up to 60mph especially after the minor upgrades I've made. I used up the stock rear tire in about 3000 miles due to the wear of acceleration. I never spun the wheel, it was all due to the squirm of the rubber under force.
I'm finally beginning to believe now that I have a great bike.
When I think that I would get only about $2200 for this bike if I sold it, I will likely keep it until I croak. I think I will roll it into my living room and sit on it while I watch TV. Oh, I can do this because I'm not married anymore.
Here in Florida, I can ride all year. I don't ride though when the morning temperature is below 55F. :'(