Sold my '03 Savage to buy an '06 S50 last Oct. ... will reserve judgement 'til I spend some quality Road-time with the S50, but something deep down is telling me I just might miss my Thumper a whole lot when all is said and done ...

This is the reason the wife is trading in her 750 Vulcan first to get herself a 400 Burgman. No real attachment to the Vulcan.

Now "Taz" on the other hand will be a little harder to let go; Taz fits me just right for cruising and day trips with it's driver's back rest, hi way pegs, and windshield. My only complaint is the too small gas tank.

Her decision is made, I'm still thinking about my available options.

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. :'(