I was wondering if there have been any others who were in my situation and what they did and why. I am old and the my ride time may be limited. I came back to motorcycleing after a long hiatus. I just love my bike but wondered if I could find a more comfortable bike but not loose my acceleration. I ride short rides almost every day and take a long trip once a year. I have an opportunity for three well priced new bikes. An unsold 2011 C14, 2012 Vaqueero and a 2012 Honda ST. Really would appreciate your advice but please do not put me on comfortable but I would imagine boring bike like a Wing.

Do you want boring or exilerating?  Since you asked this forum I would bet you want the excitement that the C14 offers, thats my recomendation.  Or you could just putt around on the whistle pig ST, or thump around on the Vulcan.  What really matters is what you are looking for.  My '08 has almost 54000 miles, from 1300 mile days, I think 7 Advanced Street Skills at Pacific Raceways, a day at Maryhill Loops, and many days in the mountain passes of the great Pacific Northwet.  SWMBO likes the bike, well once I installed the Corbin and trunk.  FWIW, my 2 wheeled stable includes the C14, a YZ450F, KLR650, and new to me '10 F800GS.  Each has it's own purpose but can you guess which one I would choose if I only had one choice?  (Hint, it starts with a "K" and it isn't a thumper)

I agree with Chet, multiple choices in the garage is the way to go, there is (IMO) no "one" bike that will satisfy every want... 

Well, I have not ridden the ST or the Vaquero, but I will give from what I read and heard. Both the C14 and Vaquero should satisfy your acceleration needs - the Vaquero has good torque down low while the C14 got gobs of both north of 4k rpm. The C14 acceleration can get downright scary if you grab a throttle full. There are lots of pros for both bikes, so let me state some things to consider.

C14: If you have not sat on this bike or test ridden it, you should. The bike puts you in a bit aggressive sport position, making you lean forward. You will need some aftermarket support to remedy that - not expensive, but gotta spend the extra dough. This position is really good for a person like me that cannot sit on their tail bone for more than 10 min. I have ridden the C14 for 400 - 500 miles at a stress not breaking sweat. Not something I could do on a cruiser style tourer. Another thing to consider is how tall this bike is. If your inseam is at least 32, you should not have any issue. Some folks had to lower the bike by an inch to feel more comfortable. The bike is top heavy - so you will need to get used to it. But to me, that is a pro because taking corners is a breeze. The top heaviness rears its ugly head at very slow speed. But once you get used to it, its like any other bike.

Vaquero: I have never ridden one, so I am going by what I read. This bike will have vibrations - lots of it. It is designed to do that - capture the V-twin spirit I guess. If you do not want the vibration, you might have to settle for the 1700 Voyager or Nomad, not sure which has a counterbalance. This bike sits about 4" lower than the C14, which makes it easier to throw your leg over. But you cannot corner it like you can the C14. Since I have not rode one for a long distance, I cannot comment on the overall comfort. I am sure you will have to tweak seat, handlebars, etc. to get to your comfort level.

I was a cruiser style rider until two years ago - and now I will not give up the C14 for anything - maybe another similar bike. And my reason for that are the riding position, which puts your weight more on your legs and wrist/shoulders, rather than your lower back. And the power on tap - you can cruise around all day pretty bland and boring, or you just twist the throttle and leave all the Vaqueros and Nomads in the dust.

Best recommendation is to go at least sit on each and take a test ride. If you are used to a cruiser style bike, the Vaquero might feel a bit more comfortable. So keep that in mind when you try out the C14.

The ST is going to be your plain vanilla girl next door Sport Tourer.  She'll do in a pinch, ain't exciting, kinda heavy, but ain't all that bad looking. 

The Vaquero is the other side of the street.  A cruiser, HD look.  It isn't meant to cut the twisties like the ST or C14... It's meant to go cruising.

The C14 is the exciting new girl who just moved on the street Sport Tourer.  She's sleek, likes to play beer pong, doesn't mind hanging out with your buddies, likes to ride fast. 

Thank you for the excellent advice. I need this as testing bikes in my part of the country is not possible. I am only allowed to sit on the seats if the bike is available in the showroom. Someone told me that the sport touring bikes tire out your wrists in long rides. Since I have a cruiser that has some touring add ons I have no pressure on my wrist, it is all on my ----you know what. I will keep checking back to this thread just in case there are any others who can help in my dilemma.

Thank you for the excellent advice. I need this as testing bikes in my part of the country is not possible. I am only allowed to sit on the seats if the bike is available in the showroom. Someone told me that the sport touring bikes tire out your wrists in long rides. Since I have a cruiser that has some touring add ons I have no pressure on my wrist, it is all on my ----you know what. I will keep checking back to this thread just in case there are any others who can help in my dilemma.

No offense but maybe you need to try outside your area if possible.

There's a question I can help answer.  I never felt alot of pressure on my wrists, I added a set of LSL bar risers and bar more for my own piece of mind and to ADD to my level of comfort, wasn't required, but after knocking off Fort Knox I had a few extra pieces of gold so I splurged.  A seat (several choices, depends on each rider), set of murphs pegs (www.murphskits.com), LSL bar kit, and Cee Baileys Eurocut screen and you have a comfy, yet sporty long distance bike.  She really is my do it all on pavement bike, not as agile in the twisties as a 600, but far more a then cruiser.  The ST is a slightly sporty touring bike which is quite capable, yet as already noted, plain.  My choice is the 14, I am a rider coach for the MSF, teach an advanced street course, and I am the program manager for motorcycle safety school ( www.pssor.com ).  I ride alot of bikes alot of the time, I also associate with riders from all aspects of our sport.  WHat I am saying is I have made a well informed decision, nothing to do with brand loyalty.  I will add a small caveat, I have never ridden, nor will I, a Harley.  It's a bet I made many moons ago with my best friend and I could never live it down.  Having said that, I don't like bikes with forward controls, bad back and neck just make for an uncomfortable ride.

Thanks again for to all of you for having provided your input. A special thanks to Son of Pappy. I wish I could test one, so your words now have that much more meaning. I will be purchasing the Connie in two weeks. (Unless it gets sold in that time as it is a very good price for an unused 11). If I am successful I will post back a picture. It will be me with the huge smile.

Awesome!  I think you'll be wearing the biggest clown smile once ya find that little redline   Just got back from a tanks worth with SWMBO, had a little picnic lunch amongst some old growth firs, watched the salmon jumping in the Skokomish River, came out ahead for a change at the casino, ate a chili dog, and finished the ride home with the temps right at 70.  Most awesome of days for sure.

.....  I will add a small caveat, I have never ridden, nor will I, a Harley.  It's a bet I made many moons ago with my best friend and I could never live it down.  Having said that, I don't like bikes with forward controls, bad back and neck just make for an uncomfortable ride.

From the looks of it, the Vaquero controls are not as far forward as a Dyna or some of the softails. So you are not really in a 'C' shape some of the HDs force you to be. Remember that motorcycle preference can be personal. Everyone here loves their C14 - but it may not be for you. So make sure you try out the Vaquero or the Voyager as well. You do not want to invest that kind of dough to find out it does not work for you at all. I know I wanted a Sport tourer and so never even bothered to look at cruiser style tourer. Both are very different kind of bike and rides so very different.