I think with a Factory, you'll never look back. If you get to test one, do your best to try one with the engine switched to map 2, with cans or if poss a full akra for instance. It will be this set up that provides monstrous torque, with a pretty light bike, narrow in its design, sublime neutral handling, that makes it something hard to follow.... literally.
You may appreciate the difference more if you ride a totally standrd one for a while first, as on map 1 they're a bit woolly at 3.5-8k also re 'flat' power, you can drop a tooth at the front if that way inclined, but for me the long gears in 1 and 2 from the 'standard' close ratio box are nice.
Then there are the true superbike looks and feel, Italian character, with the best components, with no need to upgrade a thing really beyond the above.
Batteries go flat on all bikes, but a twin relies on a strong battery because of the nature of the engine. The 'R' had a 190 section rear which made them slightly different re: turn in, so if you end up on one of them, fit a 180. Some are using 190/55 instead of the 190/50 as it is taller, but at the compromise of seedo accuracy, which on these bikes is almost legendary, with several mags trapping them as accurate to over 160mph! Very very few bikes have that.
There hasn't been heaps of changes really on this model, released in 2003 with both versions, but approx 1500 signed edition Factories, being sold from then, through 2004, before the indicator lenses went clear, and the red/silver, black gloss/matt, and silver/grey versions were changed for the 2005 model year which had the lions head side graphics, in red, black and silver, with the Factory retaining an unsigned gold triangle at the lowest part of the tank, only to the end of the previous model run. The Factory has always had Ohlins front and ear, plus steering damper and genuine OZ wheels, where the 'R' had Showa, and no steering damper, with Brembo wheels, until 2006 models i think, when they got OZ 'LOOKALIKE' wheels.
In 2006 the fairing changed to multipiece side panels, and the rear seat unit has a cut out at the front to accomodate the revised seat hump, which for the 03/04 model used to have a red reflector at the rear, joining the tail lamp. All the fairings are interchangeable. But the ECU's are not as I understnd it. The biggest differences between models existed with the first editions, where even the front fork springs are i'm told, softer slightly. Even the seat covering on the pillion pad on the first model was covered in the same anti slip covering as the cental cover section the main seat had.
Later models also have lost the front air intake splitter or 'labia' as it was nicknamed, in favour of a grille, and the rear seat unit i think gained vents. The only differences on the models are colours, and even between the 'R' and the factory now only include frame colour, rear Ohlins, steering damper, and a few bits of carbon, not like the erly version. Also, for the last few years OZ have not been the manufacturer of the lighter wheel used on the Factory, but apparently, it is lighter still?
I don't have model pics, sorry,but hope this helps, sure now i've added this post, others will add their interpretations.
I have had two early Factories and one R, currently with the second Factory still in the fold, and it is ace.
Not so sure about new shape Blades from '08, think H has lost its way at the moment, so i found an unreg RR7 Repsol luckily this year.
Re: clutch poor, yes you have to bleed them at times but only letting a bit out sorts it, or you can throw loads of money changing stuff, as with rear brake. Dot 5 and maintenance is worthwhile, after all you will be on something quite unique.
my2.... er 20p
