Hi, I'm currently debating whether I should rejet my current carb or get the mikuni vm preformance carb, with the thunder products upgrade parts, like the UFO, (don't want the dialajet since it seems slightly delicate) However I don't really understand the advantages that the vm makes over the stock. Obviously I want as much power as possible, but my main concerns are, realiability, durability, and longevity, followed by power, in that order.  What advantages would the vm offer in those regards?  I understand one is CV and the other is mechanical meaning the cable conects directly to the slide as opposed to a butterfly, however I still dont understand what the means in regards to power, feel, and all the other categories. Thanks for all your help!

Does that make it more likely to be flooded or is the difference not that extreme?

I tried messaging him but didnt hear back, probably due to the holidays. In the meantime I thought I'd open the question to the greater forum!

I upgraded to a delkevic exhaust, and it's running very lean now which is why i'm in a bit of a hurry to figure out my carb situation before it gets much yellower. Also side question? can you rejet the carb without taking it out? Is it difficult?

DragBikeMike made a thread on the various carbs used on the LS650, complete with dyno pulls. He includes his thoughts and opinion as well as hard data.

On a stock or nearly stock engine the OEM carb is fine. In fact, it suits the character of a cruiser well. It’s when you’re no longer riding the bike like a cruiser, and/or when you are demanding more from the engine, when you may benefit from a different carb. At WOT, it really doesn’t matter. Fast throttle transitions will benefit from a cable actuated slide. Dirt bikes and track bikes are two types of bikes (and styles of riding) where I think a cable actuated slide are necessary. If you need the last fractional horsepower from your Savage, I’d strongly consider a carb upgrade.

My thinking was that if i was gonna go through the trouble of adjusting the current carb, I might as well upgrade the carb for better performance, however, the more i read the more it seems unnecesarry for my needs. I don't necesarrily want a super choppy throttle, as my throttle control isnt the best. Mostly i was thinking it would give me more power in the low range, however that might be mistaken.

Here's my 2 cents worth. DBM is the most extreme/educated/creative
R & D  guy around. We all have something to learn from him. The stock carb is good and is quite smooth , with some rejetting and a pod filter is the cheapest way to go. My R & D style is all by feel with almost no record keeping. Build it , tune it , ride the crap out of it. The Mikuni 36 VM is a super simple highly effective carb. The one I got from Lancer came prejetted and it was perfect,after providing him with all the needed info.
VM will give you instant throttle response and feels like it increases the width of the power band as well. Parts are easily available. Super easy to install and tune/jet and also has some upgrades too. If you like smooth acceleration stick with the stocker , if you want some $hit n git buy the VM kit from Lancer. It's my first choice for a replacement carb and been using them for 40 years.