Yea these days you need that much to make a measurable beating on most of them with the exception of the H2 which 90% of those owners do the ECU flash and some exhaust work usually putting them at minimum 230hp with some making 275hp+. Then you need to step up to a Stage 2 Turbo kit, cylinder block spacer plate, HD clutch, lowering and stretch then some balls.
As far as your original post about gearing and spark plug choice. Gearing 1 down in the front is quick and easy way for better acceleration. Depending on your current weight mostly you, my general rule is 220lbs or more, gear like 6 more teeth in the back or 1 down in front and 3 up on back sprocket. This will give you excellent acceleration and only limit your absolute top speed to about 174mph. Spark plug change is really only needed for a power adder change such as Turbo or 50hp+ nitrous shot. So leave the plugs alone or change them with stock ones as a tune up if necessary.
Gen II with performance exhaust, performance air filter and a ECU tune should net like 190hp minimum. The weight of the bike is your next limitation. If you like to spend money like I do, lighten up the bike as much as possible. The exhaust will be the biggest gain from weight. Upwards of 25lbs or so if going to full titanium. I have mine down to 470lbs full tank of gas and it is still a legal street bike that appears unmolested except for the aftermarket exhaust.
