I have one of each (both B-17s). I started with the Standard and it took a couple of 150+ mile weeks to break it in. Several months later, I got an Imperial and was expecting to have to bear with it through a similar break-in period. However, the Imperial was awesome from the first time I used it. Some say that the break-in period has as much to do with your butt getting used to a Brooks as it is the Brooks conforming to your butt. This may have played some part in why I liked the Imperial, right off the bat. That being said, my favorite feature of the Imperial is that it is laced. This allows you to adjust the "flex" of the saddle; want it firmer? Tighten the laces. So, I think an Imperial can me adjusted to be a little more forgiving than a Standard.