After months of deliberation, I settled on a 2013 ZX-14R with ABS (there are a couple of 2012 models available immediately and a bit cheaper, but the ABS option is only offered on the '13- I was convinced of its value on a BMW test-ride a few years ago) and put a deposit on one today.
I also wanted a bike with a decent electronics package- it's got three TCS modes (or the TCS can be turned off completely).
I considered all the liter-bikes and almost got an S1000RR (which is an amazing bike) but I kept coming back to the 14R- I've owned a few bikes over the years and the one I most enjoyed was my 2000 Hayabusa- I considered buying another one, but the Kawi surpasses it across the board- I'm just not built to get comfortable on a 1000cc sportbike (and I don't enjoy having to stay above 9K to get to where the power lives).
Metallic Midnight Sapphire Blue (which looks black in anything but direct sunlight):
Maximum power- 147.2 kW {200 PS} / 10,000 rpm
Maximum torque- 162.5 Nm {16.6 kgf•m} 119.8 ft/lbs /7,500 rpm
Maximum power with RAM Air- 154.5 kW {210 PS} / 10,000 rpm
At 585lbs (266kg) it's a bit porky, but once I get rid of the two pontoon boats and add a single-sided Yoshimura or Akrapovic exhaust (which will add 5-7 ponies and drop about 30lbs) and add a new FI map with a PC-V, it will be where I want it.
I know it's a bit of a beast for Thailand, but I'll be picking my spots pretty carefully.
I should have it in 45-60 days.