I really never understand why folks gives so much weight over what some other folks might think about their preferences in a motorcycle. The fact is these comparisons are nothing more than other folks opinions. So why worry about it? IMO, both the BMW and Triumph have too much of a tour bike behind them. When you sit on them, it seems like your looking out from behind a good size fairing. I personally like the smaller feel for a sport tour. So the IMO, the two almost full on tour bikes are not really sport tour bikes. So what are they comparing, Tour bikes that handle very good, or Sport Tour bikes than tour well also. But comparing two tours bikes that cost approximately $5-$10K more than the two sport tours is really a ludicrous comparison. Two tours bikes costing a lot more, loaded up with lots of unnecessary touring BS should win a touring shoot out. But the $25K BMW should be 2/5th's better than the two sport tours to win. (again IMO)
As far as the two sport tours. They are both great bikes. I have owned both. But I would had have taken the lighter, more nimble and less unnecessary BS of the old Gen II FJR over the any version of the Concours14. Now throw in the improvements and the C14 moves down the chain for me even more. I'll take the drivability of the FJR and it's 5 speed any day over the C14 with it's fairly lame stock low end power and 6 speed.
And after owning quite a few Kawasaki's (including a C14), I can tell you that the build quality of Kawasaki sucks compared to the FJR. But to be fair, fairing removal is much easier on the Kawasaki becuase of it. Don't get me wrong, the C14 is a great bike. I just never found it to deserve the praise the magazines give it. I personally find the old antiquated FJR to be a better bike. Maybe not as cutting edge in some aspects as the C14. But better in a lot of ways. And to be honest, I would buy a new Gen II FJR over a new Gen II C14 if the need arose. And that was before the updated FJR came into play. Now I'm thinking of upgrading to a 2013 from my 2010 FJR. But that's just my preference and shouldn't influence anyone. It's more about what works for you, not other folks.
So for what it's worth, I take these comparisons with a grain of salt. Because like almost everything with motorcycles. It's more a matter of opinions and preferences on almost every topic. So who cares what some pin head journalists think. I have also said basically these same things on Concours forums many times as well. Folks on all forums for some reason put so much stock in the opinion and preference of so few. I just can never figure out why folks care. As long as you like what you ride, that's all that matters.
