Wasted Power- down sizing a sign of senility?

Hey all,
I've been thinking of a downsizing my ride from 1200 to 600 or even 500 as I never use the power and (sigh) track ride but once a year at best. I had someone suggest 250 is lots for the the street. I've ridden 175 in the dirt and that was a hoot, but what is the consensus for a safe, sufficient size ride for the street and freeway? God forbid- am I just getting old and mature?    

You have a point. I currently ride a GS500 and it does 80 mph daily commuting and it gets about 55 mpg doing it. Insurance? $136/yr. Most of the bigger bikes get mileage in the low 40s to mid-upper 30s. I would hate to ask what someones insurance cost is for a 100+ hp bike. I about choked when I heard the guy mounting my tires that one of his customers had put a nail in a new $300+ tire. I think I'm getting cheap and old, not necessarily mature.  

Ditto, I went from the big ones to a '08 KLR 650 and never looked back. I would kill for a KLE 500. I rediscovered what I liked about riding when I sold the Goldwing and bought the KLR. It just rides and feels like a motorcycle should feel. It really can go anywhere, and it runs on pocket change.

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp228/RobertKLR/motorcycle/blessedgreenone.jpg[/IMG]]