[Tom, F&L GoR]

The brakes calipers on a Gen 1 and a non-ABS Gen 2 are eeeeexactly the same. Brembo 38/42mm 4-piston up front and the 36mm single piston in the rear. The brake booster was different and Gen 2 supposedly had better feel.

The front suspension geometry is the same. Because for Gen 2 the lower ball joint moved from the arm to the knuckle (or maybe the other way) the shock is one inch shorter for clearance. Everyone has always listed the front spring rates as the same. Other than the width of the lower a-arm bushings, I think Gen 2 will fit on Gen 1.

The rear suspension of Gen 2 has less anti-squat, I believe (angle of lower control arm shaft) and the shock straddles the half shaft. Therefore the shock is much shorter, but again, everyone has always listed the spring rates as the same. I don't know if Gen 2 arms would bolt up to a Gen 1.

The Gen 2 suspension arms are aluminum while Gen 1 are steel. I would guess that the "smoothness" comes from lighter unsprung parts. There should also be some refinement in rear suspension because of the better shock placement.

There is a lot to gain from setting the OEM Koni shock stiffness. It's a pain, but effective.