The R1 has more HP (technically). But it depends what you are really looking for.

If you want the most HP, then you should really be concerned with what mods you can get for the bike, not what the bike starts out with stock (or look at the busa or ZX-14). Stock, they are all so close that it really does depend on the rider. Every magazine will tell you the same thing.

The main differences are how the bike handles and looks. Focus on those points to choose your bike. That way, you will be happy.

 

A friend of mine has a 04 R1 with about the same mods as me. We have done a few rollons and my CBR pulls in front about 1 bike length. As the rpms climb in that gear he starts to catch me but at that point it's time to shift and I pull ahead again. Between our bikes, it seems the CBR has more low end torque and power...R1 high end power. I had a 05 R1 for about a year and the bikes from what I remember are very close.

 

Yamaha has always been known to put down more HP #'s not by much but honda will win in every other catagory usually.

AS far 600cc vs. 1000cc. with equal riders the 600 can keep up it is just alot more shifting to keep your RPMS up in the power band to stay with 1000s. It can be done i have been doing it awhile. When the 1000 rolls on the throttle, the 600 has to down shift a few gears to catch back up. i have said it before...
"With twice as much shifting and twice as much gas you can keep up"thats why i bought my 1000cc

 

the R1 has more power and is faster...for 07 1K's though, do consider these 4 letters...GSX-R sportrider 2007 literbike of the year and 2007 bike of the year...oh and it was the literbike of the year for motorcyclist mag as well...they are all great bikes and all of them will scare the holy **** out of you, so pick a color!

 

+1 to tomc

You should buy the bike you want because you want it. Who cares what everyone else thinks. If they pay for the bike, your insurance, and gas maybe then you should let them tell you what to get.

"more power" or "faster" are subjective things. They depend as much on rider as the bike. As previously mentioned in this thread. If the bike you want doesnt perform exactly how you want there is an entire section of industry called "aftermarket" designed to help you get exactly what you want out of your bike.

I would tell you to go test drive both bikes and buy the one that feels the best to you, not just in a straight line, but in corners with less than perfect pavement. The bike that feels the best in less that perfect conditions is probably the one you should choose.