You get a 850 Commando motor set up in a Featherbed frame and have it set up right with a rider who knows how to ride a well set up Featherbed with the crank balanced right for the Featherbed I am sure the Featherbed will out handle the Commando, but like what other have said its up to the riders skill that win races plus a well set up bike.
As most know I convered my 850 Commando to a Wideline Featherbed in the early 80s and still love riding it so I have owned both, I also have rebuilt a few Commandos for mates as well a few other people, I alway get to ride them after the rebuilds and I still perfer my 850 Featherbed, I can also say that my 850 Featherbed is so much lighter than a Commando, yes the Featherbed frame is a bit heavier than a Commando frame, but you save weight everywhere else, one day I am going to get my hot Featherbed weighted but I am sure I have cut almost 100 lbs off my Featherbed compared to the Commando, but off course you can also get the weight off a Commando, all race bikes are set up for lightness, the less weight its carring the better chances of winning.
I have ridden with a few Commando riders over the years on my Featherbed and once we get into the twisties and I can tell you I leave them for dead, but I also know how to ride and push my Featherbed.
You can't just get on a Featherbed and expect it to out handle a Commando, you have to take your time to learn how to ride a well set up Featherbed and how to push them in the tight corners, you ride a featherbed differently to a Commando each bike has its own ways of riding them, but once you ridden a well set up Featherbed for a few weeks and you master their handling you will never look back, unless you want to see everyone behind you lol.
I have my Featherbed set up for high speeds, lightness and handling, but of course you can also do that with a Commando, but you ask anyone who has owned a well set up Commando/Featherbed bike and they will know what I am talking about, but remember every bike is different, it all about how it been built and set up, the riders skills etc etc it all plays a part in riding any bike and how far you are willing to push them and I push my Commando/Featherbed pretty hard and have done so for over 38 year now, its also has shown up a few modren bikes over the years.
The few trusted mates that have rode my Featherbed have always come back with a huge grin on their face and are blown away how well it goes and handles, the mates that have rode it have all owned British bikes for most of their lives.
Ashley