Gen 1 v Gen 2

[bigbluebear]

I currently have a 2004 Gen 1, ivanised, custom exhaust and a smaller front sprocket which goes like shit off a shovel. I am now thinking about changing over to a Gen 2 and wondered what the main differences would be in performance, handling, weight and size for comfort (I'm 6' 3 and 17st).
I'm sure there are many on here who have experienced both models so any feedback would be very much appreciated.
I am more into acceleration and chucking it around the twisties than straight line top end speed if it helps
Cheers
BBB

[bash62]

i rode one done a tank of fuel.missed the grunt low down of the gen 1  also the comfort .found the seat very hard .low tank range and the one i rode 06 had a bad fuel glitch.after 5000 revs takes off like a scolded cat .
not for me.still got my 04 gen 1 ivanised and be keeping it too
cheers bash

[sadlonelygit]

the gen 2 is a SPORTS/tourer.
had a go on one before i had my gen1, found it to be a cracking handling bike that once wound up went really well. just found it lacking a cetain je ne sais quoi!

[ghostbiker]

Gen 2 is a fun bike but i could not live with it day in and day out.
but best bet for you is to test ride it a couple of times. 1 to get the rose tinted specs off then again a few days/weeks later with a clear head on your shoulders to asses what you actualy WANT from a bike.

me personaly like the motor on the gen 1 and although the short term comfort of the gen 2 was as good as the gen 1. the longer term was not for me. and as i can bearly get 120 from a gen 1 tank i dread to think what i would get the gen 2 down to lol

both cracking bikes but they are designed to do slightly diff things. work out what you want from a bike and fit the bike to your needs. not your needs to the bike.

[slappy]

I was thinking about selling my gen1 last year,had test rides on a few bikes including the gen2. I found the seat to be a plank, less low down grunt but more top end grunt. Get a decent long test ride on one if you can and then decide,everybody is different and what one person dislikes another person does not even notice. 

[jools]

I test rode one,
Fuel injection is glitchy, its like a switch OFF/ON
surging at 3.5K-5K and that where you will be at 30-40 MPH in and around town,
or in top gear at 70 MPH motorway speed.
I did have a fuel injected Bandit and that was the same.
and that's the reason why i bought a Gen 1 .
You really need to take one out for a long ride
Motorway, duals and town riding.
jools

[flesh]

I'm on my 2nd Gen 2 and have had 4 Gen 1's. As has been pointed out many times they are completely different bikes.
The Gen 1 is a "general" all round bike that "as standard" is a decent bike that does everything but being 7 years old it is begining to age (IMO    and opening a can of worms). Customise one, as you have, and you get a fantastic bike that does everything.
The Gen 2 is much more focused on the "sport" rather than the general touring side of things. Peaky engine with not alot below 4k. Questionable fuel injection (but apart from the Beemers they all FI bikes seem to have issues). Very hard seat and very poor fuel range/consuption. Decent suspension though, so handles really well and build quality is very good.
That being said you can "fix" most of the above on the Gen 2 by customising it, in a similar way to how you would a Gen 1 to make it better. Get a PCIII (or as I do ride around the FI issues), get a customised seat. Only thing you cannot fix is the tiny tank size. Is the Gen 2 better........no just different. Would I buy a Gen 1 again.........yes, as my 2nd bike, but the Gen 2 works well for me.
Get a test ride on one to see what you think before you buy.

[bigbluebear]

Thanks for your input guys, a test ride will probably give me an indication of what will suit me best and may just keep what I have as well

[devilsyam]

close to gen 1 is the triumph explorer esp given your height me if money was no issue then a multistrada pikes peak

[PaulSmith]

If you want to start looking further afield, consider the Kawasaki Z100SX or the KTM 1190 Adventure.

[bigbluebear]

To be honest I'm not a fan of the adventure type bikes and don't really like the way the multistrada looks. The super moto bikes are quite appealing and would be comfortable enough but handling the twisties at speed concerns me as I tend to red line it more or less every where I go....hoologan and I know it but don't care as its way too much fun. :evil
I have looked at the Z1000SX but it is a bit pricey at the moment being a fairly new model.

Devilsyam, saw some of your footage on You Tube, awesome mate.

[Tmation]

Buy a ZX10R, the one with the under seat pipes as its cheaper. Mod the exhausts like Devils Yam did to his R1, fit a PC V plus a top yoke conversion with renthal bars and go wild.


Why bother with a half arsed semi sports bike (gen 2) or pipe and slippers (Gen 1) if you like to ride everywhere on the red line (I assume that is a figure of speech)? Get the real thing and make it fit you (I say ZX10R as its the least popular and cheapest of the litre bikes).

[jackojet]

:eek :rolleyes :z
On the redline on a litre bike everywhere

[devilsyam]

Greg Tracy's under 10:00 race run at Pikes Peak!

[SEPTIKANGEL]

'Kin 'Ell Luke, was that the Houghton Towers Sprint and what the fook was he riding - a bleeding pogo stick? :lol

[devilsyam]

aformentioned ducati multistrada pikes peak version

[manuel32]

There is alot written about gen 1s and gen 2s , usually by gen one owners,,


I have a gen2 and its ace :lol ,  comfy to ride, thrashes with any bike, good seat position for around town. Perfect.


Billy.

[bigbluebear]

OK, I take it back, that Pikes Peaks version is stunning......at over £17k it should be.

[locksmith]

From the description you give to your riding I'd say a gen2 will suit you sir!

[pitternator]

Its a very old debate, but having owned both and been at the infamous brunters test day in 06, I can say that there aint that much a gen2 can do which a sorted gen1 cant. But you cant flip a gen2 to do what the gen1 can do...and whether you like it or not thats  a fact. Many of us here dont want a peaky engine, which is what the gen2 has...and the nice steering and handling aint enuff for most to sway us into getting one.Put a full monty kit and K tech sussies on a gen1 and it will keep up with most bikes at a track day , but will also do the allrounder and touring stuff so well the next day. Its this incredible allround ability which is the mainstay of the gen1s appeal. Ask yerself just why we aint all running gen2s...?

The big issue with any gen1 now is its age, mileage  and styling. But having said that , a gen2 looks similar from the front.

Bike mag found the Z1000SX to be underwhelming in stock trim, and had to go to many modifications before it was brought up to a par with a gen1. If you are paying 9k for a bike that shouldnt be necessary.Maybe a decent second hand one is worth looking at ?

If a gen2 is yer bag , my advice will be to buy a cheap second hand one cos you will be wanting to modify a lot ! I have seen many decent ones sub 10k miles for between 5 and 6 k even in garages.What are they new ??...10k !!!! Yikes.

Lastly on the subject of FI on bikes...well do try riding some bikes before you make sweeping comments, as all my triumphs and my bmw have flawless FI..unlike the godawful FI on a stock gen2.Likewise I have tested many hondas and found no issues with their FI.My 06 FI was simply unforgiveable, like a part finished product.