I personally hate electronic aids. I had my bike reprogrammed specifically so i could turn off t/c and power limits. I even look specifically for the non abs model. All those gizmos are neat but i prefer to be the one riding my bike. Those electronics do make you go faster, mostly because they cover up poor riding skills. Im not saying im a great rider, i just havent had my bike to the edge a race track environment would provide.
As far as the hp wars, certainly not over. Have you seen the new crop of bikes? If your not pushing 200hp this year, your behind. The new s1000rr, the r1, and i guess the zx10 too. Kawasaki even poked the bear with the H2 model.
Yea, but the H2 is gimmick. It runs almost neck and neck with the ZX10R. The H2R is another story, but not street legal.