Replacement bike ?

[SAFE-T]

My wife had a 2007 GS500F for a couple of years. Like many people, she "outgrew" its lack of power and personality and eventually moved on to another bike (2009 FZ6R).

Anyway, I need to make some changes to my '99 VFR800 next year. It is pretty much a one-off, with Ohlins suspension and Marchesini wheels blah blah blah. I can change one or two small things and keep it the way it is, or make some bigger changes that solve some of the problems involved with owning a custom, such as having to spend hundreds of dollars to repaint wheels, and find someone who actually puts it back together the same way twice if I don't have the time to do it myself.
 
The bigger changes will easily take me a riding season, since I don't have a place to work on it in the winter. In the interim, I am going to need a replacement so I don't go bonkers.

Should I look for a cheap GS500 in decent shape, or get a 600 Supersport ? I quite respected the GS, but I admit it was/is a little on the 'agricultural' side of sporty LOL. Budget is under $3500.

I have been looking at a 2001 Honda CBR600F4i and a 2006 Kawasaki ZZR600. Same price.

[BaltimoreGS]

I love the old CBR600's and would snatch up a clean F4i in a heartbeat!  I prefer the banana seat of the later F4i's though.

-Jessie