try it against a dr650 with street tires!

I think the DR would eat the Savage's lunch, personally
the RR CBR is pretty sporty, I really like the X variant better, but at 80 MPH, I bet the S40 would beat you up worse, at 80 the wind helps hold you up on a sport bike, on a cruiser it tries to blow you off  
unless you have a good windscreen
100 miles was pretty much my limit on the S40, the Ninja 500 I could go farther
as long as we're talking highway
around town the S40 is the winner fer sher

Solution, lie down on the tank (total screen coverage) and drape feet on rear tail lights   j/k
so is the sport screen less or more screen than the stocker?
I do miss my Ninja 500 for just those reasons, but the peg position just made my hips ache on long rides
the Swing is sort of like a cross between the two, though it's not very stable at low speeds
plenty of power up to the ton (not happy there but will break it), upright riding posture, nice shield, though there's a much better one aftermarket i'd like to have
if only the thing didn't feel so much like an easy chair (miss gripping the tank when the roads get spooky)

ChzeckMate,

I was riding in North Texas yesterday and I can verify how bad the wind was. The wind was worse today.

Kenny G    

Today I found that Honda has really thought of everything.  The shape of the seat and its size was a little confusing to me until I had a chance to ride it in my favorite areas of Houston. I realized that the shape of the seat is designed to give you three options.  If I sit forward on the seat around town it takes the pressure off my wrists and is very comfortable.  If I sit in the middle of the seat it's good for typical highway speeds and the wind will hold me up.  If I sit all the way back on the saddle with my behind against the pillion it's great for a jaunt in the twisties. As I become more comfortable with the dynamics of this bike I'm starting to thing it just might be the perfect all around bike.  I'm very impressed with this machine.  As for the S-Wing, I've heard good things.  Seems like a great scooter, but I just don't have it in me to ride one.  I think it would be like riding a Rascal through Walmart.  No offense, but if I can't have the thrill of a proper motorcycle then I think I'd just as soon get a nice bicycle.  A great racing bicycle can be just as exhilarating as a sportbike sometimes.

Apples and oranges.....  

I ride almost everyday commuting with many other islanders, everything from small dual sports/dirt bikes with lights I mean  
to big Harley's, I share the ferry with.

As boys will always do, they have a pizzing match mentality, thinking their bike is the perfect bike, etc.
Most everything beats me to the first light(s) off, as I just cruise and enjoy the ride.
What I have noticed about sport bikes is, you gotta adjust yourself a lot according to conditions.....
Nimble as all heck with speeds, turns and open street, but in traffic and having to stop at lights, ya gotta shift yourself around.
All I do is put a foot down  

Honda makes a GREAT product.....
I was looking at the Shadow(s) when I was shown the savage beast.
Didn't much fancy the weird looking header, seemed bent with no consideration to style and sweep....
However, once riding her with 0 miles on her fresh from the crate, I rode her home after swapping them my first bike, a Honda Rebel, which really was a good learner for me.....
But no matter how cute she is at first, and smitten we are with our first love, every man begins to notice those sporting bigger breasts, er, I mean, CC's, eventually  

BTW, being under powered is more dangerous than having too much, in my opine. You need to fit the bike to its task to minimize exposure to  trouble, example, you ride in a place that is often windy, you should ride a heavier bike.

I know exactly what you mean the most fun bike I ever had was an RS50.    That is the dragon I'm always chasing.  I expect I'll never have quite that feeling again, but I'll have a lot of fun trying