Oh, the difference is rider skill, 100%. His bike is way faster than mine. But, when you are on a nice twisty road, the speeds are say 30-80mph, the supersport is, in my opinion, a better bike. For one, without significant regearing, the fast Japenese bikes will need to be in first gear to make use of their power, and who wants to ride around in first?
One day, i would like to take an R1 around a track a few times way too fast, but, I just can't see myself needing that kind of capability in the real world. Plus, theres the danger of getting passed or dropped by someone on a significantly slower bike. How embarrassing would that be.