Vex,
You said everything that I've been muttering in my helmet the last few months. Especially the peer pressure thing. Great post.
I bought a 2010 Ninja 250 after selling my 2006 Honda 599 that I had been riding for the last three years.
That's right, I went from an inline four 600 to a parallel twin 250 and I'm happy.
I do mostly city riding and got tired of holding back the reins on the 600.
I did have to adjust to the more frequent shifting, but I'm really enjoying being able to wring it's neck through the corners.
I love my Ninja.