Just realized I did not really answer your question.
I choose the C-14 in '07 and am keeping an eye open for another bike and would again choose a C-14 right now, and for basically the same reasons:
Compared to the others I considered:
Honda ST1300: too big, heavy, soft and under- powered. Not much sport in that sport- tourer.
FJR: Nice bike, would have been my third choice in '07 and would be no. 2 now. Closest to a C-14 but I prefer the C-14 because of the tetra- lever rear suspension (eliminates shaft jacking, and now after 10 years, has proven to be a spectacular performer), a bit more power, a bit more user- friendly shaped saddle bags, and I like the looks of the C-14 over the FJR. That said, there was a dark red FJR one year that was very, very nice.
BMW K1200GT / K1300GT. This was the bike I was going to buy, all the while ducking like a scared dog 'cause I was wary of being another piece of cannon fodder in the BMW meat grinder. They were deep in the final drive debacle then and absolutely not standing behind their hardware- unforgivable IMO. Also all kinds of software quirks and issues; the gentleman my wife worked for at the time picked up a brand new one and it left him on the highway going home.... he called the dealer and told them where to pick it up if they wanted it back. Seriously. Not a consideration now as the bike is no longer made.
BMW boxer twins: just not a fan. Like riding a sewing machine IMO. And still expensive to buy and maintain.
Triump Sport Tourer: interesting bike, nice looking bike but less motorcycle than a C-14 for considerably more money IMO. Just not a good value and considerably less powerful than a C-14, this is noticeable on the highway, two- up, at speed when trying to accelerate. Not saying the Triumph will not perform because it will but a C-14 will perform quite a bit better.
I am also in a very different situation than a prospective new owner; I am pretty familiar with the bike, and have accepted and made peace with its particular faults. I know doing a valve lash check / adjust is going to be painful compared to, say, and FJR but I accept that for what I consider the better bike. I do not spend much time adjusting valves but spend most of my bike time riding and so will trade off the easier maintenance for the better bike while riding, again in my opinion. And all of the important faults of the C-14 can be addressed, such as cruise control, and addressed for the life of the bike. It will take me a couple of weeks to 'farkle up' a new C-14 but I know what I want now and know how to get there. Being new to the model, there may be more advantage for you in another bike given that there is a learning curve with all of them. I would have to learn all the subtle quirks of the FJR and then fix those that bothered or tended to strand me; this is done on a C-14.
Keep looking and try to do an honest evaluation for what suits you best. Everyone can recommend but no one can say, I do not believe, what is best for you. At least the majority of us who do not know you and have any idea what you might like and what you might hate on a new bike.
This is a good source of C-14 information, as is the other Concours forum. There is a very popular FJR forum that is also quite good with a lot of knowledge and wisdom about that bike. Scan some forums, take all with a grain of salt and you will probably pick up on some key points that seem important to you. I would suggest after a bit of study, come to each forum with specific questions you develop and see if you can get a useful answer. For example, KiPass is made out to be a really big deal on the C-14 but it simply is not; ask directly about it and some folks will steer you to useful information. Same with the Feejer, the BMW, etc. And, of course, use the 'filter' to skim off the nonsense along the way.
Best of luck.
Brian
I currently ride an '06 Triumph Tiger 955i. Great bike however it's a bit dated and small for two-up.
So I'm in the serious research phase of replacing El Tigre.
I'm doing the dance between five different bike models (all used):
ST1300 - ridden two examples
R1200RT - ridden two examples
R1200GS - not ridden
FJR1300 - not ridden
ZG-1400 - not ridden
I'm 5'9" and about 170 lbs and manage my Tiger's 33" tall seat height pretty well.
I'm curious about how you decided on a Connie and what other bikes you considered.
Many thanks!