My understanding for the reverse shift pattern is for foot clearance when shifting while leaned over.

Anibus, have you ever taken a quick ride on friends bike with a normal shifting pattern and had problems?

 

I ran the GP style shift pattern on my GSXR for about 5 minutes. I disliked the position the shifter was in and the "odd" feeling of it. I'm sure you'd get used to it after a while but after years and years it's just a bit hard to get used to for me. I switched back immediately. On the GSXR it was simply a matter of unbolting the shift linkage and flipping it 180degrees...instant reverse pattern. I'm not sure about the 1000rr if it's the same as I have no inclination to do it.