Some of your hopes seem contradictory. "hugging a tank" from a cruiser position can't do much for you, for instance. Doing the same on a standard, like a Bonnie, can make riding the twisties much more fun and you can actually steer the bike with your body. I don't recommend that you try that too seriously on a cruiser.
In any case, the Speedy will be MUCH more like you are used to, just more of it. My wife has a Vulcan 500 and she likes it and I do too. It is a whole different world, however, than a standard. That being said I think that you have to ride both, not just sit on them, to have a clue what we are talking about. I like a standard. Sue likes a cruiser. Different worlds. Different kinds of riding. Just different.
Meanwhile, welcome!!
Monte
