Went from an RT to a 12 C14

[maxtog]

I just waxed my connie and the creak creak creak of the plastic panels reaffirmed my observations that my RT was better built.

Anyhow, I will say the more I ride the connie the more I like it! The fuel mapping is spot on, the engine is nice and smooth, but honestly does not feel as strong as my K1300GT did for roll ons. I love how nicely the driveline works, and lacks the lash I have noticed on other machines.

I talked to a couple CHP guys about the move to the C14 incidentally, and they seem to like the bike, although they maintain that they preffered their RT's for comfort and handling.     

"Comfort" is easily obtained on the C-14 through tons of available options- seats, bars, grips, do-dad's galore.  But you can't fix the high price, reliability, maintenance costs, and strange engine (IMHO) of the RT.

[Son of Pappy]

RT= Really comfortable Tractor   POs know what I mean and no, it aint a slam by any means.  Kinda like an LT= Light Truck.  C14=smoooooooooooth as buttah, almost as good as thick sliced bacon

[ZG]

C14=smoooooooooooth as buttah, almost as good as thick sliced bacon

Mmmm.... bacon. 

[martin_14]

Anyhow, I will say the more I ride the connie the more I like it! The fuel mapping is spot on, the engine is nice and smooth, but honestly does not feel as strong as my K1300GT did for roll ons. I love how nicely the driveline works, and lacks the lash I have noticed on other machines.

The roll on "weakness" is a characteristic of this bike because of the really long gearing. In 6th gear in the K1300 you're 2000 rpm above what the C14 is doing. When I drove it, it felt "hysteric", for lack of a better term.
On a K1300S, the 6th gear is almost as short as the 4th gear on the Kawasaki. I always thought that the Kawa was a bit lazy at high speed (>130 mph) until I tried it in 4th. Oh-my-holly-crap reaction is there, you just have to be in the right gear.
In principle, this is a disadvantage, but it comes handy on tight passes in which you can stay in 2nd, almost like a Duc would do in 3rd.
As gPink said, removing the flies goes a long way to waking up the engine at lower revs. Before, I couldn't get the front wheel up. Now, I have to be careful with the throttle to keep it down. 

[ugocon]

No comment on the topic: my Avatar and signature say it all!
 

[eng943]

No comment on the topic: my Avatar and signature say it all!
 

Cheers to passive aggressiveness.

I just went and did 200 miles on the Connie with the BMW guys through the canyons, etc. It's a pretty big adjustment going from telever to conventional forks. I am sure I will get some cornering speed back eventually after I get to know the Connie better.

Not one sneer or offhanded remark from the guys either. As expected....  

[eng943]

"Comfort" is easily obtained on the C-14 through tons of available options- seats, bars, grips, do-dad's galore.  But you can't fix the high price, reliability, maintenance costs, and strange engine (IMHO) of the RT.

Kawi parts are cheaper no doubt. Labor rates are comperable, BMW reliability is nowhere near as anemic as people here dipict it to be, and lots of people like twins. So in the end it's a pretty subjective decision.

BTW, as far as internet reliability fodder is concerned, when should I expect my warped rotors,Kipass/FD failures, high speed wobble, etc? Oh these reliability issues...what am I to do???

[VirginiaJim]

Have a drink or a cookie or both.  It works for me.

[Awaz]

I know my C14 is a fine bike. But I got the K1600GTL on my sight. As for the RT, I never considered it due to price when I was shopping. But later down the line when I sat on it, I could see me getting swayed by its comfort. I do not drag pegs really.

[Cuda]

BTW, as far as internet reliability fodder is concerned, when should I expect my warped rotors,Kipass/FD failures, high speed wobble, etc? Oh these reliability issues...what am I to do???
[/quote]

I think you should sell that low life cheap plastic junk and buy another bmw (and go troll away)
The only thing  warped is the wobble in your head.

[Pokey]

Reliability is in the eye of the beholder I reckon, it does seem that BMW dealers as a whole are pretty good. I agree that they are well built, if not a bit over-engineered like most German things.

[martin_14]

I think you should sell that low life cheap plastic junk and buy another bmw (and go troll away)
The only thing  warped is the wobble in your head.

no need to get personal, me thinks...
My RT had 5000 miles when I sold it and was a very cheap bike for mantain, but not to buy. I had the C14 for 35 thousand miles now and I did have warped rotors. But even if I had a blown up FD on it, and paid from my pocket, it would still be cheaper than the RT.
Pokey hit the nail on the head: Germans like it complicated. They work great while they work. I work on a daily basis with Italians, English, French and US Americans, and the differences in mind set are staggering. Sometimes I am amazed to see that we all have 2 legs and 2 arms.

[VirginiaJim]

Let's tone it down just a hair, please, guys.

[eng943]

BTW, as far as internet reliability fodder is concerned, when should I expect my warped rotors,Kipass/FD failures, high speed wobble, etc? Oh these reliability issues...what am I to do???


I think you should sell that low life cheap plastic junk and buy another bmw (and go troll away)
The only thing  warped is the wobble in your head.

Evidentally you did not read my posts, and failed to see the tongue in cheek sarcasam in this particular post. Obviously the combination of laziness, intolerance, and a completely myopic view of motorcycles in general, left you with no choice but to offer the above limp wristed, small minded remark.

It's interesting to note, that not one of my BMW friends have given me any grief for switching to the C14. Most of these guys have owned numerous bikes of varying brands, and realize every bike has it's pros and cons.

,   

[VirginiaJim]

I see this has gone as far as it's going to go....sigh.

[VirginiaJim]

As Captain Jean Luc Picard would say....

Star Trek - TNG "Engage"

[Cuda]

Let me see the RT is nicer build quality , hardware, the connie goes creak,creak, creak reaffirming the RT betterbuilt and your waiting for warped rotors , Ki pass failure,high speed wobble.

I was looking at the ST 1300 till I found out about the heat issues and the high speed WOBBLE , wrong bike the wobble is the ST1300. The rotor problems on the early bikes, were fixed under warranty , how many bikes come with a three year warranty that can be extended cheaply.
The Connie was the last bike that I  looked at,  I've always had Hondas and Yamahas.
I've wanted a BMW for a while ,a old mans bike  was going to get a 2011 RT till I took a test ride , I love the power  of the Connie,   I've raced dirt bikes, snowmobiles, cars and  boats  our outboard drag boat  Championship race is Oct 13,14 in Jasper Tenn. wish you could make it so I could show you my limp wrist. I'm so lazy that I'm the only person in the whole country that designed and builds his own race boats, I have made three different hull molds,  My only intolerance is with know it all's.
 I do plan on buying a pancake motor, a Honda Rune , since they are so ugly, It will make me look better.

[Pokey]

Ya know........Jim does slightly resemble  Jean Luc Picard. All the Captain needs is jeans, button down short sleeve shirt, riding boots, and a janitor key chain on his belt. ENGAGE!!!!!!!

[VirginiaJim]

Twit.

[Son of Pappy]

Twit.

Is that short for witty?