Hi and welcome to the forum
i cant really help with how the different models ride but I bought my 05 ZX10 in October 09, its my first proper sportsbike and was a little bit concerned after reading reviews and forums that it might be the wrong bike to get for a first timer, what I can say now is ITS BLOODY BRILLIANT and I love it.
My first few rides I kept it below 6-7k and found it can be quite a pussy cat and it didnt give me any nasty supprises, when I got comfortable I started to explore its mad side, and it is truly mad
The first time I let it loose and done my gear changing when the gear change light flashed up had me laughing like a mad man, said it before and will say it again, buying my 05 was the best biking decision I have ever made.
I cant wait for warm weather, dry roads, my first track day and learning to ride it properly