The FZ8 is pretty much everything I have been looking for in a motorcycle. The bike is really super fun to ride, very smooth, turns very well, and is comfortable to ride.
I ride a lot. So much so, I've considered selling my car. Riding 60 miles on a ninja 250, and on a R6 is a total nightmare. On the FZ8, it's not a problem at all for me.
The only downside to the FZ8 is I find the kickstand REALLY annoying to get to, and I don't seem to be getting great gas mileage with the bike thus far. Although, the bike is still really new for me, so I'm having more fun with it than I am trying to conserve gas at the moment.
I'm really glad that Yamaha finally brought this bike to the states, and I don't regret the purchase at all. I do not see any reason for someone to go with the 2012 model. Save some money and get the 2011 if you can find it.