I also agree on the riding gear. It is a MUST. Same with the lowering. Lower the seat height not the suspension.
As far as it being too much bike, it's all in how you twist that go stick man. Treat a bike like a loaded gun and you won't kill yourself. It's mainly other people you need to watch out for. I ride a SV1000S and a Vulcan 1500 around the ATL area.
Ride safe and have fun!