and a couple of things about the ride stuck in my mind. 
One was the gravel.............
but it wasn't the stuff Andi spoke of on the reefton. Matter of fact the reefton was pretty good apart from that re-done middle section, and even that has anough grip now to have fun on. The gravel I speak of was on the Woori Yallock-Gembrook rd. Fun stuff. Nice and thick, right on the tip in zone of several tight turns. And not a warning sign within sight.......... 
The other was the age old Big bore Vs 600 argument. But this time it was highlighted by something other than a comparo between one of each category, but rather a comparo within the big bore class..............Allow me to elaborate, and set the scene somewhat.......
The argument for 600's is partially the light weight and partially the ease with which they change direction, and the Physical input required or rather, supposed lack of it. The argument goes that they are flickable and it's easy to access the power they have, thus enabling a relative newcomer to adapt easily enough. Whereas the larger capacity bikes are just more physically demanding to ride, and much harder to control and harness all the power they produce.
The people who ride a big bore will tell you that it's the fact that they don't need to rev the bollocks off it to get it to go, and therefore it is a far more relaxed ride, even if it is a little more Physically demanding to steer.
Well today i had a little ride with two mates on lateish model R1's. At open road speeds, I was able to just roll on the throttle, and make short work of any obstacles ie-cars and other traffic, whereas, my two sports bike mounted friends were having to bang it down a few to get it stay with mine, both on overtaking, and on corner exits. This was noticed not by me, but by the guys I was riding with.
At each stop they were both saying that they couldn't keep up out of the turns unless they dropped it down a couple of gears. Whereas mine was right in the fat part of it's power and torque curve all the time.
To get on with it.......I am now of the opinion that 600 sports bikes are not things we should recommend when asked "what should I upgrade to?". I would now after having experience with both, encourage people to look at bikes that produce similiar power to a 600 race rep, but with a tad more capacity. I believe they would be a far more road friendly mount, with the rider able to concentrate on riding, and not have to worry about going up and down the gearbox.
Another event that occured to assist in formulating this opinion was a young guy up over the top of reefton, who took off from the stopping point at full noise in first, then shifted to second and held it at full noise, and then proceeded down to Marysville......in second gear
We went past him over lake mountain, and guess what....he was still reving the nuts off it, and was still only doing 80k/h
he stopped at the servo in Marysville, so I tackfully made sure there was nothing wrong with his gearbox,
and then suggested he may like to try some of the other 4 gears the R6 he was on had!!! Back to the issue, for all those considering upgrading to a bigger bike, if you feel you are physically able to handle a heavier weighted bike, have a look at some of the so-called "de-tuned" models. they may well be the riding improver you have been looking for.
andi - 
works quite well too
