If you're used to the speed of modern literbikes, then yes, the Vmax may seems like a disappointment. It's a fast bike that can smoke any other cruiser out there, but a stock tune of 112ish horsepower isn't all that much by modern standards. It's fast, but not "as fast" as it used to be compared to what else is out there. Still....a really fun bike to ride, and it's "fast enough" for all but the wildest straight line speed demons. Handling can be improved from spotty to IMO pretty darn good(far and away better than harleys or other big cruisers)
The Jap-spec bikes had the speed nanny thing in the gauge, didn't they? Cut the ignition out at the equivalent of 90mph or something, and the speedo only went to the 120mph instead of 160.
If the v-boost bikes were 140hp at the crank, and the non-boost were only 97, I imagine the Jap spec bikes were only putting, what, like 80hp to the tire? 120mph is probably all they'd be good for anyway.