I am a confessed squid. My skills on a bike are laughable and not yet legal (damn license requirements). Yet if I were given a choice, quite easily it would be the CBR.
Even comparatively underpowered, the CBR still produces enough horsepower and leads to such riding dynamics that even the most skilled canyoneers can still cut a bad notch carving. Let's not get too spoiled, 130 hp on a 400 lb machine is no joke.
As far as easy to use, tractable power, the Blade can give you more than you really need, but with what seems to be impeccable fuel-mapping, never more than what you're really asking for.
Great ergos for long rides and heavy, every day use make it far more appealing for those who would like to spend the bulk of their motile hours as close to flight as asphalt will allow.
For the sensible squid who allows for a flash of hooligan, the Honda is a alas, the balanced package.
On another note, I figure in about four to five years, a Kawi-Zook combined venture will shake us. Zook's B-king and 165 hp GSV-R in a couple of years will be amazing. Honda will surprise all of us with the power produced by the cbr 600 F5, and the next RR which I hear is going to be a 998 V5.
And please, if any of you have info on the gorgeous 2003 Gilera 600 Supersport, pass it along.