The 2009 Kawasaki ZX-10R comes in with some big shoes to fill. last year I rolled a 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa, and recently racked up some miles on the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR—both exceptional bikes.
So...where's the 10 stack up so far?
Obviously it's not as comfy as the 'Busa, and doesn't quite have the midrange punch of the Honda, but those are my only major complaints.
I'm thinking some very mild gearing to find that power (it's definitely there!) to get it right on track if not better than the CBR.
As for the comfort thing, well...that's just how it goes. But with the smaller and slightly "tighter" riding position it's a lot easier to dodge traffic and rip around town, so it rather makes up for the lack of loungability.