Nice to be back in the VFR saddle again!

Just went for my first decent ride on my newly acquired 2007 RWB VFR800. OMG have I been missing out while claiming my 2006 R1200GS is "just as fast and fun as a sporty bike in the twisties, blah, blah, blah". I actually believed that until I rode the VFR down Hwy 25, 198 E to Coalinga, Los Gatos Creek N back through Hollister and home to Santa Cruz while all the Moto GP fans were heading to Laguna for the races. GS's are fun but VFR's are REALLY FUN. Even stopping to plug my deflating rear tire in 100 deg heat couldn't put a damper on the ride. I probably should have taken it easy with a plugged tire instead of spending the next 100 miles past 7K rpm with all 16 valves open but hey, welcome to my second childhood. Besides, the brakes and tires are much better than the ones on my 1985 VFR700 Interceptor or my 1993 VFR750 were, right? Oh yeah, is the top end much different without the bags on?