DesertCat, I can't do a comparison but I can give some feedback on the LS650. I did a lot of 'seat of the pants' testing with a tach installed when I installed the Dyna muffler and rejetted (I don't think the mod added heaps of power so the info is still spplicable).
Yes the bike will hit 80 miles per hour easily. I got to about 90 (on the Speedo, so allow for error) at about 6000 rpm. The acceleration rate dropped off considerably for those last 10 miles per hour until it pretty much peaked out at 93 miles per hour.
The very first thing I noticed about the bike is you don't need to get the revs up to feel the pull. The acceleration/torque 'curve' just feels like a straight line right from the start up to 80 miles per' hour - in general riding in the street.
In testing for acceleration and top speed in a straight line. WOT, and paying close attention, you can feel the torque at its peak somewhere between 3500 - 4500 rpm (I think theres a chart somewhere on this site that confirms that).
But for the most part, considering the kind of riding you describe, there's not really a discernable 'power band' as such. Just twist, go, and glance in the mirror, as you're about to click into third gear, to see the cars looking small behind you