Looking for a post-starter bike...suggestions?

The CBR600f4i is easily the "sportiest" of the bikes you had mentioned. I still have an 02 that I use for trips that are 60 miles or more since the riding position is much more comfortable than that of the big rr(that and the fact that it did not sell before I found out that the newer rockets are not comfortable for longer trips). The seat is not the most comfortable after an hour or so but it is totally tolerable. Everything else is actually comfortable. You could go grab an issue of a magizine of motorcyclist to get the performance stats on all of the bikes just to be sure I'm not just sending you to Honda since I like them(try motorcyclist.com but the format is not quite as easy to read). They are not carborated though but in my opinion thats a great thing since you never forget the choke on or any of that happy horsesh*t. The 04 and newer have a much more comfortable seat and the 01-03 have a more comfortable seat avalible from a company called Corbin. These bikes love to be pushed and prodded in the name of fun and will never let you down. Very reliable.

With all of that said and from the idea I get from your question I would also like to suggest one bike you did not ask about, the Suzuki SV650S. It is a v-twin not an inline four like the rest of the bikes but will out perform the ZZR600 and the Katana and hold its own with the other two. It actually makes torque so its a peppy bike. I have a few friends that have them and have riden them a few times and let me tell you they are fun and a bit more comfortable. They love to whellie. I have never heard any of them wish they had gotten a different bike in that class--although one wants a liter bike now

Whatever bike you choose have fun!

I'm pretty happy with my ZZR600, but I would have probably gone with the Honda F4i just to get fuel injection if price wasn't a major factor in my decision.

You can also consider the yamaha R6S, which is a slightly detuned version of the R6. Many say it has a more street-friendly powerband anyway.

Besides, if you've spent enough time on your old CBR, you can probably handle a true sportbike by now, no? You know how to NOT crank the throttle wide f-ing open and how to not stomp on the highside lever (rear brake), right? Don't count out a true sportbike without at least parking your butt on one!

I have an 06 SV650S and love it. very very torquey. I definitely think you should look at it. A few other bikes not mentioned are the Aprilia Shiver, Kawasaki Versys, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Kawasaki z750, Honda 599, and the Yamaha FZ6.

I have to recommend the Suzuki SV650S, that bike just plain performs. You will love it!

The closest thing to a sporty "sport-touring" bike would probably be a suzuki SV650. Those bikes are priced pretty reasonably if you're looking at buying used. They are fairly comfortable and easy to ride but can still get up and go when you want them to! Check out www.cycletrader.com and do a search for SV650.

The SV650 mentioned above, is a fantastic bike. But if the OP is getting bored of the 100 BHP he's already got, moving down HP wise to an SV, he's going to be disappointed as it only produces around 71 IIRC. Lots of torque though.

I'd be looking for a Fireblade type of bike if it were me.

I ride a kawasaki ZR1000 nakid sports bike check one out. Changed my pipes bike weighs around 440 now. Had it on a dyno 130 HP at rear wheel

Hi forget about buying 600.

I ride a 02' Kawasaki zzr1200 and you can pick those bikes upf or around $5,000 low mileage.

VFR 800 Honda ?

go for the yamaha