I would say it is worth it. There are enough positive differences to easily justify a desire to have a 2gen over a 1gen. The only possible "negative", which is not always a negative, and most people don't care, would be the linked brakes. Oh, and only 1 active fob (and 1 passive) instead of 2 active. Otherwise:
Traction control
Never knew I needed it.
Guaranteed ABS, and a more refined one
ABS would be beneficial
Traction control
Redundant
White dash lights (instead of yucky red)
Subjective
Computer display control switch on handlebar
Could be convenient
Higher mirrors
Meh
Better looking fairings
Subjective...but nah
Better heat control fairings
Didn't have a problem with heat
Heat shield on exhaust midpipe
Changed the pipe to aftermarket
Larger windscreen
Changed to aftermarket
Windscreen memory & auto-lowering
Mine stays where I put it
Better back pressure control in dash
Dash back pressure?
Variable heated grips
OK if you like that sort of thing
FEA Mode
WTF?
Auto-locking glove box
Which a lot of folk disconnect
ECO ride indicator (not much of a whoop)
Ambient temp indicator
OK if you need the foo foo stuff
Much better oil pan drain location
Don't jump curbs
Until he gives the comparative prices he has found.... "worth" has a different meaning.. if you get my drift..
peace..
Otherwise:
Traction control.......... I don't want it... don't need it... don't want another failure mode $$
Guaranteed ABS, and a more refined one..... never had issue with mine, many '10 models did... pump...$$$
Traction control.... I have traction control, right hand.. don't need mine shutting down when I want to spin tires..$$$
White dash lights (instead of yucky red)..... Old eyes, amber/red is much nicer on them than glaring white..but I do ride long distances at night... i.e., spend time on the bike..
Computer display control switch on handlebar... I can reach my buttons when I feel the need... don't need them at my fingertips all the time....
Higher mirrors.... I stuck Micro Magnafier mirrors on my OEMS same day I bought the bike...
Better looking fairings.... meh... I like mine, and I pulled off the extended vents anyways.. my personal choice..
Better heat control fairings... subjective... If you make sure the block off foam is correctly positioned, no big dealeo...
Heat shield on exhaust midpipe
Larger windscreen.... meh... I have alaminar lip on mine, works fine, don't need a huge wind buffeting sail up front anyway...
Windscreen memory & auto-lowering.. don't need that, mine adjusts, another thing to fail.. and cost...$$$
Better back pressure control in dash.. really, better than?...
Variable heated grips... never needed them, rode year round in Va., with a Gerbing liner in Stich, hands stayed warm..
FEA Mode.. don't need it.. $$$ failure mode
Auto-locking glove box... which when it fails... $$$$
ECO ride indicator (not much of a whoop)... I am flashed.. don't need no steeenking ECO.. get 50 mpg on my '08 now
Ambient temp indicator... don't need a weatherman to tell me where the wind blows/ don't care either. cold is cold.
Much better oil pan drain location.... this one is the only thing you noted, that stands merit.. ok, I agree, but.. mines still good...
I would say it is worth it. There are enough positive differences to easily justify a desire to have a 2gen over a 1gen. The only possible "negative", which is not always a negative, and most people don't care, would be the linked brakes. Oh, and only 1 active fob (and 1 passive) instead of 2 active. Otherwise:
Traction controlOnly tripped it once, but handy to have
Guaranteed ABS, and a more refined onecan't say I noticed a difference
Traction control
White dash lights (instead of yucky red)I thought I liked the red, but the white turned out to be quite pleasant
Computer display control switch on handlebar this I use all the time. I do miss the headlight flasher though
Higher mirrors Definitely.I still wish I could lift the 08 mirrors
Better looking fairings No way. Not ever.
Better heat control fairings summer temps here are in the high 40 degrees celsius. I can't feel a difference between bikes
Heat shield on exhaust midpipe makes it a little cooler on the sole of the foot
Larger windscreen windscreens are the most subjective thing on the whole bike
Windscreen memory & auto-lowering I love this
Better back pressure control in dash another thing that I can't feel a difference between bikes
Variable heated grips a big plus
FEA Mode Fuel economy mode? Have reflash, only need main map. If you want ECO you have to turn it back on every time you start the bike. Proper pain in the posterior
Auto-locking glove box depeds where you live. Out here we don't need no stinkin' locks
ECO ride indicator (not much of a whoop) total waste of time
Ambient temp indicator Is it hot, or just me? Yes hot, time to remove jacket liner
Much better oil pan drain location much easier to put a jack under when removing the front wheel
Traction control.......... I don't want it... don't need it... don't want another failure mode $$Sure. And I think this guy thought the same way, he didn't need to. (min 26.40)
Traction control.... I have traction control, right hand.. don't need mine shutting down when I want to spin tires..$$$
I love how most of what people don't have they think they don't want, don't need, isn't useful, can somehow add/work-around, or will be some kind of future failure.I love too..
I would say it is worth it. There are enough positive differences to easily justify a desire to have a 2gen over a 1gen. The only possible "negative", which is not always a negative, and most people don't care, would be the linked brakes. Oh, and only 1 active fob (and 1 passive) instead of 2 active. Otherwise:
Traction control Don't need
Guaranteed ABS, and a more refined one Bought my 2009 over the 2010 because it did not have ABS
White dash lights (instead of yucky red) Prefer red, especially at night
Computer display control switch on handlebar no need
Higher mirrors Never had an issue with the 2009 mirrors
Better looking fairings Really, says who?
Better heat control fairings Never found heat to be an issue
Heat shield on exhaust midpipe Okay..l. has this been a big issue? Never noticed
Larger windscreen I have a medium CalSci and can look over it
Windscreen memory & auto-lowering A solution in search of a problem.
Better back pressure control in dash The CalSci solved that issue
Variable heated grips Would be okay, but not necessary, and I do ride in the winter. I would probably rather go with heated gloves
FEA Mode Decent option on long trips, but again, not necessary, and not enough to lose what I like about the 2009
Auto-locking glove box Lord no. I hate any auto-locking anything. I also prefer the location of the 2009 box.
ECO ride indicator (not much of a whoop) Yee haw...
Ambient temp indicator Because you can't tell what the temp is outside riding a motorcycle. Ha!
Much better oil pan drain location Good move on Kawasaki's part, yet, I have not hit mine.
I don't understand what's the problem, after 2010 there is a button who disables linked brakes.
Aha, interesting! I assumed there can cut off totally the linked brake.