As for my opinion, I am not prejudiced and I love all bikes equally.
Besides that I am basically a Honda fan because of the fact that it makes most reliable bikes when it comes to sport bikes.
I bought the FZR for two reasons. First that in Pakistan you don't have the option to go after the brads rather your priority should be the ENGINE CONDITION and DOCUMENTS. Hence this FZR.
Currently only ZX2R is the sport bike that is comeing to the market in sport bikes by Kawi. It's another good bike.
Back in the 90s, I read somewhere that the two contendors in the 250 class were FZR and CBR. And from 90 to 94 the FZR had been in the lead as to sale of number of bikes in a year. Wonder, there must be some reason.
As far as I have read on the internet, Yamaha introduced the EXUP valve in its 250s in the 90 model bike. The experiment had great effects. The bike got more low end power and fuel economy in the normal range rpms. Hence the modern bikes like R6 and R1 today are also equippped with this particular valve.
That being said, it is better to look for a good machine rather than go after a particular brand.
Good luck.