Hey landman, I'll throw my 2 cents in here.
We all have preferences in what we look for in a bike. When I get asked about what someone should buy. IMHO, here's what they should answer then start looking for bike that fits the job it is going to asked to do.
1-What type of riding will the bike be used for? Do you want a canyon carving sports bike, or a laid back cruiser? Do you want a bike that is comfortable but will carve us back road when you feel a little sporty. Then a sporty standard may be the right call. Also, think of what speed you like to ride. Differing style bikes are more comfortable at varying cruising speeds.
1a-How much power do you want or need? There are bikes today that are truly beast and fun to ride. But in the real world, what do you want/need? Riding 2up will bring the need for power up a little. I hate to admit it, but I am pretty spoiled to the more powerful bikes. I just like the torque and the no down shift passing. But you may find that a 70hp bike may be just what you need.
2-How much, if any, 2 up riding will you be doing. This will help include and exclude a lot of bikes.
3-What type of seating position do you prefer? Coming off a dirt bike you might light some of the sportier standards like a bandit, a ZRX like Tim posted, a FZ1, or a Honda 919 hornet. In the more heavy duty sports touring bunch you have the old connie, the new connie, FJR, ST1300, plus a lot of euro choices.
4-How much wind do you like to be in? Some people like to stay behind a larger fairing and shield, while others enjoy being in the breeze. This is just personal preference. I will say the larger fairing I have on the FJR makes it nice on cooler days, and a little warmer in the summer. Overall, I like to be in the wind a little more than most.
5-Does the bike have something about it that attracts you? You say you don't like the stroms much. I have one now and am slowing falling in love with it, but it looks much better from behind the bars looking out down the road than it does from the side that's for sure. For most of us bikes are luxuries and I think the bike a person buys should "turn them on" so to speak. It's hard to really enjoy a bike for me if it does nothing for me when I look at it. Again, this is a huge personal preference deal.
Bottom line, buy a bike that will fit the task you are going to ask it to do, has a look about it that you like and makes you want to go for a ride on it. This is different from person to person, that's why they make so many styles.
OK, that was more like a nickles worth.