Hi
Regarding the RPM difference it only seemed to be around just less than 200, at an indicated 70mph.
At the said indicated 70mph the RPM was approx. 5K, and at those revs the bike pulls well using this raised gearing.
But your only at those sort of speeds/revs a small percentage of your riding time, and below those revs in my mind the bike felt listless and flat!
I hope this makes sense, as I only use my bike for fun, and have not commuted for over 20 years now, as fully retired, and approaching my 76 birthday.
I would not like to lower the gearing on this machine, I only lowered the gearing on my K8 DL1000 as this bike was over geared from the start, and I put over 40k miles on it before getting my L2 650, and that bike it still running sweetly with over 140k miles on it, with its new owner.
Keep having fun.
Regards
Crazhorse