Well, I went to IMOT today and sat on it.

Three words: fan tas tic.

I liked the fit and finish, the driving position, the overall proportions. I didn't like the kind of short/fallen nose that the headlights and front fairing do but, hey, I'm not that in love with the huge headlight assembly of my C14 either (which I still prefer).

Yes, I know about the limited clearance (don't know if Yamaha addressed that) and the 5th gear, but some reviews say it doesn't need it, and that the e-gas only makes things better. Even if it is only an update, it's still a very nice bike. I'm not buying it, but I'm glad Yamaha raised its game a bit, at least marginally. That'll force Kawasaki to try harder and, in the end, we get to lean further, travel faster, and in more comfort 

That'll force Kawasaki to try harder and, in the end, we get to lean further, travel faster, and in more comfort 

+1  BMW raised the bar, now Yamaha, if only Honda would come out with a new true ST bike. Kawi might add the stroked motor from the ZX14R and cruise control and improve the linked brakes and...

It's getting about time for another generation of the C14 so hopefully by 2014 they'll have something up their sleeves..  If not, they're sleeping at the handlebars.

+1  BMW raised the bar, now Yamaha, if only Honda would come out with a new true ST bike. Kawi might add the stroked motor from the ZX14R and cruise control and improve the linked brakes and...

A new Honda would no doubt rival the BMW for price, Honda is stupid like that.