I used to think they were, aesthetically at least, not a patch on the 748 / 916 shape. Actually, I still do but now I want one anyhow!
i think my 848 is too quick for my way of riding. i don't do track days, roads around here are v,twisty and i prefer to be at the higher end of the rev range. and i loves my fugly. 749? no brainer.
I have one bike but 2 engines. I have a 748 which is now an 853. I also have a 916 with big cams. I can, and have, swapped engines in about 5-6 hours by myself in the garage. I haven't worked out which I prefer. It's actually really difficult. The 916 has the same close ratio box from a 748R. The 916 has more torque and obviously more power. I think it depends on how you want to ride. You need quite a few more revs to get the same performance from the smaller engine but on a twisty road that's almost irrelevent. The lower torque actually makes the bike more ridable and comfortable if that makes sense. If you ride on twisty roads and commute then there is nothing really in it. I'll probably end up settling on the 916 with the 748R cams as, in the end, it's got more grunt