Why did it so many years for KHI to put a decent seat and better suspension on the KLR650? Why, because it sold as is, successfully. Probably the same with the 14/1400. KHI had to add accessories that other brand bikes had, to stay competitive in '10. Other than cruise control, and a built in sound system/GPS, what does the current model need now?
The larger ZX/ZZR1400 engine would be possibly nice, but to maintain decent MPG, and touring manners, it would have to be detuned from the ZX specs, giving us maybe 10-15 more HP, only available at RPM peaks. Triumph went major when they changed from the Sprint ST (GT) to the Trophy 1200 SE. That got the public's attention.
What must KHI do to get the same attention? Triumph went after the RT customer sales. Who would Kawi need to draw from to justify the cost of changing a successful motorcycle? FJR1300? Not the VFR1200 or 1300 ST, for sure. Bean counters would prevail at KHI, unless the engineers and marketing group could prove worthwhile improvements. . .
FWIW, I had a 1050ST, and can say that my 08 C14 is a better all round motorcycle, except for the awesome sound of the triple. Unsure how my 14 compares to the Trophy, but they are too expensive to satify my curiosity. Perhaps a '15 model 14 may not be made available until sometime in '15. Guess we have to wait and see... tomp