... but I fail to see where the term "upgrade" fits in here, both when talking of "upgrading" a perfectly working '08 C14 to a '10+, or from the C14 ...
My '08 C14 with 91,000 miles has been a superlative bike. No major issues, just reliable...and FAST (flies out, PCIII, AreaP CF slipon).
I had been looking at getting a second bike...maybe a Tuono or S2R1000 or...well, then I saw zxjack's '10 C14 for $5900 with a Rostra CC and Cox radiator guard. I jumped on it.
The '10 has some things that I like...traction control, better stock windscreen, nicer looking fairing, better fit/finish, ability to scroll thru display and linked brakes (gasp!).
I'm not a big fan of the linked brake calibration but I do believe in the concept. Everything else is way better than my '08. My '08 has a CB Euro Tour windscreen..it's HUGE. The '10 stock windscreen is much better than the '08 stock screen and a nice contrast to the CB screen.
For the mild Savannah "winters", the '10 screen is plenty. Last year, I rode to Newfoundland and the CB screen was welcome...even in June.
My '08 suspension is close to clapped out...it's had a hard life...lots of dirt, gravel and rutted roads. I have done hundreds of full throttle runs thru the first three gears (stock clutch) and it still runs and shifts great (but not as "snick, snick" as the lower mileage '10).
The heat management of the C14v2 is also much better than my '08.
I realize that the '10 is more neutered than the '08/'09 but I'm not interested in going faster than 135 anyway. I will probably reflash the '10 ECU next year...or, maybe not.
It's too bad so many of the mags subtract points because of the lack of a Kawasaki cruise control.
IMO, there are significant upgrades in the C14v2 ('10 and later) that are worth extra $$.
Unfortunately, I have resigned myself to not even attempting to sell my "high mileage" '08. Best bet is that I will be able to trade it. At least I can now take the '08 to the track without reservation...now that I have another bike to ride.
YMMV.