Yep, you are right. I think that is why Honda changed it, to give the bike more torque at a lower rpm while trading off the higher rpm charge of the older model. So, would you say that you like it better?
Do you guys really look at the speedometer? I never do unless I am stringing it out. If I am trying not to speed because there may be a tax collector around, I just go with the flow of the traffic.
From what I have always read, dyno's very from machine to machine. You might try another dyno before giving up. Don't go by the magazine numbers because they are corrected as are the quarter mile times.
97, K&N jet kit, Yosh slip-on's, couldn't care less about mpg, never checked it. To tell you the truth (not blowing my own horn) but this bike has to be the best running carbed vehicle that I have ever owned. No flat spots or hickups anywhere.