XV535 really rough/ bouncy ride - is this normal?

[BikerchickMT03]

Anyone on here ride a virago 535? I've just changed over from an MT03 660 single to the '96 virago and boy the suspension is... rough. I've never ridden cruisers before and while I get on with the bike quite well (and understand it's a totally different engine), it's the suspension that's giving me trouble (I've already changed the rear shocks for softer ones, checked the tyre pressue, and confirmed the forks are working just fine). Anyone have any experience riding both cruisers and tourers? My voice is shaking from the bumpiness of the ride (when I speak to my husband over our headsets) and my shoulders are taking a beating. Is this just "how the virago is" when compared to other bikes? Wondering if this is the normal experience others have had, as a sanity check. Thanks all!