Bottom line you gotta get what's right for you. My opinion: I like unique bikes. The SP1 and SP2 fit that. They're one of the rare few Japanese bikes with personality. No, they're not the best performing beasts on the planet, but their cool factor more than makes up for that in my book. Besides, it's a lot more fun to ride a slower bike fast, than a faster bike slow. Which is why it's cool to see guys sling around those heavy piggish RC's with guys on I4 literbikes. To me, the liter bikes will outperform the RC's, but they're so robotic. If you're a strict 'numbers only' guy - then get an I4 liter bike, they handle better, they have more hp, they're also a dime a dozen. If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose the RC, but like NeverEnough said, get both, you only live once.