Standard power of 105 bhp is comparable to stuff like R6's, CBR600RR's etc but the monster 70 ft/lb of torque means most stuff will be following you coming out of a corner.
As an example, lets look at a comparison. (it's like top trumps!
)
2005 model CBR600RR makes 115 bhp and 49 ft/lb - all the 600's will make similar power, so usually slightly more top end zoom, but not as much pull to get there. The Storm will edge them out slightly on power performance.
2004 model GSXR750 makes 124 bhp and 57 ft/lb - this is probably the closest all round comparison (IMO - especially if you have an extra 5 bhp on your Storm form a good set of cans and a set up) the extra horsepower of the 750 means once it gets higher up its rev range, it will go quicker than the storm and the good torque will mean it pulls almost as hard. (N.B. the 2006 updated gixxer 750 has had a hooge power hike to 150 bhp - claimed by Suzuki - so that might change things)
1000cc IL4's (blade, gixxer thou etc) make around 175 bhp and 85 ft/lb. Power wise, these will kill the outgunned Storm in a straight line.
However, when you add handling and rider ability in, 175 bhp can't be fully utilised on the road (except maybe on those private road stretches of the M1 or something) so a competent rider on a Storm will pretty much keep up with any 600 or 750 rider. A good rider on a Storm will mostly keep up with big litre bikes on anything other than straight, long roads. Comparing it to riding round Bruntingthorpe on a Fireblade, Ducati 900ss, Buell Firebolt, Triumph TT600, CBR600s, and GSX750 to me the Storm's launch pad grunt is comparable to the Ducati and the Blade and feels stronger than any of the others. Only winding the Blade on to full whack down the runway felt faster.
((this is of course all my opinion, I'm not digging any of the bikes mentioned, so don't get your panties in a twist if you own one - I'm trying to be objective))
