I have had my '08 R6 since Labor Day.
I traded in my 2007 GSX-R750 for the 2008 R6.
I had my GSX-R for 10 months and put 4200 miles on it. That 10 months was also broken up by a very long winter of 4 to 5 months. So, I put those miles in about 5 to 6 months.
I really liked the GSX-R alot. Year after year it continues to get "the perfect sportbike" type honors in all types of reviews. Handling of a 600 and almost the power of a 1000. The GSX-R 750 is unique in that no one else makes a model to compete with it. So, I selected it based on the accolades.
I had two things I did not like about it though.
The steering was heavy. Towards the end of my ownership, I think I had the geometry pretty close to providing good feedback and steering with out too much body english being necessary.
The suspension was also pretty tough to come to grips with. I had the sag set for me so that helped a bit. The rebound damping had to adjusted completely out.
I know there are things I could do to make the bike handle better and have better suspension but I did not love the bike enough to want to invest more money into it to make it just right.
Yep, it is a great bike but it really didn't inspire confidence or stir the soul.
I started considering a 600 and already crossed the Suzuki and Kawasaki off my list. Which left me with the Honda and Yamaha.
The Honda is still getting great reviews. But, for me, look at the two bikes side by side and the Yamaha won me over in the looks department.
I wanted the best handling bike I could find. Suspension and brakes were the next most important thing for me. The horsepower and torque numbers came next.
I found all of these things in the 2008 YZF-R6.
I do not regret trading off my GSX-R for the R6.
In fact, I wish I would have went with the R6 to begin with. But, then it would have been the 2007 model.
On paper, the advances of the 2008 model seem significant. Either way, it has all worked out.