In all reality, buy a bike that suits you or looks the best to you. From experience, handling is the most important factor when buying a sports bike. Speed? I've yet to ever hit top speed on my bike, there really is no point running around at 170+mph. Don't believe all the magazine hype, it's just that. Insurance is a big one, even for me at 34 y/o and no tickets or accidents in 10yrs it's still 80 dollars a month for full coverage. I highly recommend paying cash and getting liability for some of you. My liability coverage is 7 dollars a month, big difference. As for bikes, my choice in the 600 department most definitely would be the CBR600rr hands down and the 1000rr for a liter bike. I'll have a 1000rr next spring unless they make a different liter bike.