by todays standard of aesthetics the gen1 indeed is an older design. But it still does have a classic bike look and appeal. Its got no pretensions like say a Z1000, its just a solid do it all bike.Amazing power for its genre, great handling once stock suspension is overhauled. A great tourer too. There is a long list of attributes.
I have never been into bling as such, but the bike does need a pep up to try to look contemporary.
Personally I bought my fazer as a "sleeper" , a wolf in sheeps clothing .....I had so much fun on my track day in september...yet if I was on an R1 , I would feel pressurred to ride like a racer or else I would look ineffectual. My fazer lets me ride how I want to ride, and for me thats a big part of the attraction.If you want to cruise thats fine, if you want to boogey , hell- it will keep up with latest sports 600s...
..but you could argue that is an " older" mans perspective of biking in any case !!
ps , yes I would like to eat my dinner off daves bike please !