I suggest it may be vapor lock, caused by engine heat soak. This hard starting right after shutting off the engine is an indicator. Just a thought.

 

Why are you letting your bike warm up for so long and then riding slow, I think your bike is loading up (flooded). Once your on the highway you need to get the RPM up past 3K for awhile to clean the plugs off. I use to just take off with the choke pulled half way out for a min. or so and never hurt my engine in 154K miles.

 

I'm in 4th gear till I pass 60 and know I'm going to be doing 65 or more. As far as idling it, just force of habit I guess.