You will never out run a litre sportbike. No matter what you do. I did alot mods to my Buell before i sold it. For years now, i have been doin sportbikes. Lately i had the ninja zx10r (08). When it was stolen, i bought a R1 (08). When this machine is tuned, it run like nothing from the factory line. The 1125R which i have demo-tested 3 times is so gone compaired to this machine. If you wish to use wide rpm even in corners, try a 07-08 R1, with full system and PC3. You will be blown away of the total handling and control. It's like a 600 doped hard on viagra. best you can do if you want to feel handling, try a Triumph daytona 675 (09 version). This is way quicker on everything than every Buell. Though it lacks teh adrenalin of a litre bike. Easy to run fast at though and you will beat your cousins jap bike (if that is waht matters)?
STILL, i miss my old Buell and am thinking of changing bike again. This time i would opt for a xb12r. I run to freaking fast at this R1. It become so asurd. I feel i that nowadays, i can't keep pace with rules and regulations of roadrunning. This bike has it if you like to feel the rush of speed and control in spades. That's just the way it is amigo. I've been doing my Buell, mostly for handling and getting it to run faster. It was not in same league. It's a fun bike though. But don't ever compair them. Asking any guy who knows sportbikes and not just leave the jaw bladdering b.s.
I still pay on loans for upgrades of the Buell.
If you don't beleive me, ask Martin at Twin Motorcycles or Jens Krüper (former) Hill Billy.
They even todl me staright up, you can't out run these bikes. Martin todl me he tried an older R1. Hes own words, i could not own a bike like this, i would just end up dead. Jens asked me what i was aiming at, so i told him. His reply was, honestly, save your money, go gixxer or R1. I DON'T say you should, or anyone, but are you talking handling and speed, that is the best way to get to the point. To really use a bike like this, you need time to adapt. The way the machine/ engine work is very different from the Buell. The R1 has a redline at 14000rpm. From 10 and on it run totaly linear. Gixxer, ZX, Firblade will not. The develop more HP/ torque. At these you will have to be more careful modulating the throttel. At the R1 (07-08), just set suspension, and you can just use the powerband in corners or s-corners. It's sick to use 2 gear, and run in 10000rpm and just pull harder - speed become and addiction. I am 181cm in socks, 5 foot 11. Great cockpit for me.
