the chassis can easily handle 180bhp ask troy bayliss etc, the bike is superb, turns faster than annettes 996 sps, the power is so linear that even a numpty like me was starting to slide the rear without automatic bowel evacuation! the engine is more reliable and has better lubrication than the old 4 valve engines the only reoccouring fault is I keep braking the shim retaining clips in the valve train(no problem the valves cannot drop out) but this is probabley due to me using the upper reaches of the rpm band a lot more than most R riders who seem to clock up surreally low mileages.
My 998r is my all time favourite bike! the 999r is easier to ride fast but not as involving and the sound from the air box on the 998 at high rpm and full throttle is more addictive than heroin.
buy it, you wont regret it, after your 748sps it will feel so smooth so fast and so much easier to wind the throttle exiting bends!!
dave