I'm the same shoes as you. I hear it's a easy bike to work with compared to the CBR600RR. From what I gather the ZX6RR handles great after it's suspension is dialed in. The engine is down a few ponies on the R6 and 600RR. The 04 has a number of upgrades to the suspension and engine. So setting up the 04 suspension should be easier. Engines wise the upgrades should make it equal or hopefully more powerful than the R6 and 600RR. The only thing is the new GSXR 600 coming out. I'm leaning toward the ZX6RR, but I want to see how the dyno charts look before I make a deposit.