3) The FZ1, with 15-48 gearing has a "crowd" mode where you can go really slow in L.A. style traffic, or cruising the main drag. With this gearing power wheelies come at low RPM, so you can learn wheelies easier than FZ-9. Wheelies are important, it is the most fun thing you can do on a motorcycle.
No offense, but this is absolutely not true. The FZ09 wheelies way way easier than the FZ1. Having owned the FZ1, currently owning an FZ8, and having ridden the FZ09, the 09 was by far the easiest to wheelie of them all. Not even close to be honest - the 09 comes right up.
In no way would this have anything to do with my purchase decision though.
The crap suspension alone would make me avoid the FZ09. Most people feel the FZ1 needs some money thrown at it to make it right. Compared to the FZ09 the FZ1 doesn't need a thing and the FZ09 needs a few thousand right out of the box. The FJ09 is a better bike than its FZ09 base. Basically think of the FZ09 as a magical engine with total crap wrapped around it in an odd seating position just as StephenJWyatt described. The bike is a lot of fun though, but flawed. Very flawed.
The devastating resale loss on an FZ1 would make me think twice about purchasing that unless I got a smokin' deal on it. And I mean crazy deal. Like a horse head in my bed offer I can't refuse!
Cerwindel's choice made a lot of sense, but right now I think one of the best values in the class is the GSX-S 1000. ABS, TC, Brembo, good power, lower weight, etc... Get a dealer to give you a good price on one and see where it goes. I will admit I have not ridden it so I'm speaking on spec sheet and price alone. If you get a ride on one you have to give us a review.
Just really needed to chime in on the wheelie difference between the two bikes. If you twist the throttle on the 09 it will wheelie without any tug or clutch at all. Very light and great motor.
