The 954rr is a special beast. The 1000rr didn't beat it in HP until 2006 and the 600rr couldn't match it in weight until 2007. The saying is, "the weight of a 600, the power of a 1000." Because of its power-to-weight ratio it is a favorite among stunters/wheelie fanatics. It is also prone to tankslappers for especially aggressive riders, which necessitates a steering damper.

Most noticeable to me is the wide powerband of the 954rr. It'll straight up and git even in 6th gear at low RPMs. At higher RPMs it begins to get scary.

 

Excellent thread for someone doing the research and considering one as a replacement bike. Thanks for the great feedback!