By the terminology of the motorcycle industry, the V-Strom is not in any way a sport bike. As for my feet, they're ahead of my butt, and that's plenty far forward. Personally I don't know how people can be comfortable on or properly control a bike with their feet stuck way out in front of them. Really, to say that my bike is anything like a sport bike is laughable, and mostly says something about how narrow your frame of reference is. I sit bolt upright. Your average sportbike these days has your body leaning forward about 45 degrees and forces you to carry a lot of your upper body weight on your hands. Ok fair enough. We just see things differently. Harley offers bikes with both mid and forward controls. I don't care for forward controls much either. I have highway pegs if I want to put my feet out front for a bit.
I guess you might sit bolt upright on a V-Strom if you're extremely tall, and have extremely long arms. The only guy I know who rides one is about 6', and he's leaning slightly forward.
Hanging off the bars? You can't hang off baby apes, unless you're Billy Barty. Baby apes are just that, baby versions of apes.
Of course I have a windshield. I'm over 25. Seriously, I gave in to the comfort a windshield years and years ago. I won't ride without one now.
Lastly, if you're comfortable, that's all that matters. There aren't enough of us out there on 2 wheels. I live for those rare opportunities when I can put in a 1,000 mile day, and it sounds like you're of the same mindset, so hat's off to you.
Cheers, same here. If you're riding a bike, you're cool with me, whether your feet are below you, out in front, or behind you.
I'm 6'3" and long in the arms, which is one of the reasons I ride the Strom. Most other bikes are too small for me to get comfy on. Another guy I know who rides one is 6'6" and even finds his Strom a bit tight in the seat-peg relationship.
My last bike (a Kawi ZRX 1100 "naked bike") only had a small headlight fairing, so that the slight forward in combination with the wind was just right when moving at a reasonable speed. I can't say I find cruiser riding positions comfortable for very long personally, but like you said, if it works for you that's all that matters.
Keep your right hand cranked and the shiny side up.