Ok, here goes - First off, everything Jaseman said so very well- that was exceptionally well put and easy to understand - at least if you have actually experienced it as I have. I'm 63 and have been riding since I was 19. For a little while I could honestly say I was the fastest rider in Azusa Canyon (the local mountains which at the time were very popular for racing bikes, and also ate more riders than any other road in the state).
The bikes you are looking at are extremely purpose built, and yes I know that's one of the reasons you like them, but a race replica just doesn't make a good commuter! These bikes are only really comfortable (and I do mean for the rider) when being used for what they were designed for - going fast through the twisties. The riding position, and engine and suspension tune are all aimed at that one particular scenario. It will not be a fun or practical bike for your commute, especially if you actually ride it the way you say you plan to. I can tell you from experience that even in "600 mode" it takes a good while to develop a real skill set that will let you actually use that bike - and don't kid yourself - you're not buying a bike like that to "putt around on" and you definitely won't leave it in 600 mode.
You will start hitting the throttle a little harder every time until it eats your lunch. It's human nature. And really, if you're not going to do that, why spend the money for a bike like that, and put up with the uncomfortable seating position, rough ride and peaky engine? And don't forget that anything you want to take to work will be on your back.
Once I quit racing, I went for the "standards". Usually a slightly detuned liter or better engine in a frame that still handles well but has a much more comfortable seating position. The "detuned" engine is much more fun on the street as it has stronger low and mid range power - where you spend 90% of your time on the street. I've been happy on my 1250 Bandit (Suzuki) for a good while now, but Yamaha's FZ1s are also nice, although still a little high strung.
To give you a real life example of what I mean, I had a previous generation FZ1- don't remember the year. These are great bikes, comfortable, easy to carry stuff on, handle and go well enough for a good rider to embarrass the squids on the latest crotch rockets. Anyway, I had one before and liked it, so when I sold my FJR (great bike, but too much bike for how I was using it) I decided to get another FZ. I loved it - until I took it out and wound it out - over 100 in second gear, and all the power on the top end, though not as bad as the bikes you're looking at. That means you pretty much never get to enjoy that power. Also, being so top-end oriented made it harder to get a good launch splitting lanes with my wife on the back.
Contrast that with my Bandit with tons of low-end torque. I have pretty much instant power anywhere in the rev range. Still has a top-end punch, but I don't HAVE to be in the top end to have fun. Wonderful in traffic, great off the line.
Okay, so I've written way too much. Get real with yourself. Would you buy a MX race bike to put around in the woods? Because that's what you say you're going to do here - either you're lying to yourself or it's a wrong move and waste of money. Buy a bike that fits what you actually want to do with it and you will be much happier.
