Actually you can have Handguns but you can't take them anywhere and certain ones are banned almost at random. IE anything 32calibre banned as well as compact handguns.

The R1 is pretty hot but it seems like the 600's get the cool toys first.
The new R1 has the ride by wire throttle that the R6 had last year.
Any of the 1000's like th R1 or CBR 1000 change yearly so they are very up to date. The new 1000's are like a moto GP (motorbike F1)bike of 5 or 6 years ago.
Personally I am happy with the 110 HP my bike makes but 170HP would be fun but I don't think I could actually go any faster except on a track. Often my 919 is faster around town than even the new 600's because I can see better.

There will be a new Hayabusa next year and the GSXR1400 this year are like big incredibly fast autobaun cruisers. Much better for commuting than the 1000's.