The only shortcut i can think of is to test ride a kawasaki zx10,more performance than most people will ever tap on the road unless you want to get into ok corral territory.The H2 is a huge step up from there and generally bought by ex superbike riders who have the skill to wring H2's neck safely.I think they cost about 28,000 usd.Just to whet your whistle the next step up is the H2R track only version that comes with slicks only.Ready to ride fully fuelled wet weight is 475 pounds,they make 310 horsepower (230 kw) at 14,000 rpm and top out around 250 mph,rules open faced helmets out
but seriously...with a few mates once a year we hire 175 lambretta scooters and slipstream each other around the back streets and maybe down a freeway fully tapped out,big grins and nobody loses their licence.
ps if you loved motorcycles as a kid it never lets go.Marriage and kids may stop you for a while but you always go back,or want to.If you do,buy a mid range something and ease back in gently,good luck friend.
pps jpal good luck settling in with the 300 twin,they sound awesome,specially if it's mounted in a scale aircraft.