Thanks for asking. You are contemplating getting a BMW?
NICE! If you do, you'll join the *illustrious few*. I think that'll be about five of us, then. We need to start a riding club of 14R/RR owners....
Anyway............
Getting off of one and then right on the other can be a bit dangerous. Your reflexes and riding facets are adjusted to one, then you are on a contrasting bike......I learned to take it very easy for the first hour or so, when quickly changing.........Especially from the RR to the 14R.
The BMW is obviously alot more nimble and better at cornering. Even I can corner on it, so that is saying something as to its handling qualities! And practicing on my cornering and control of the bike in twisting roads is SOO much fun.
More bar vibration on the BMW, especially at 4K. The engine runs hotter and gets your leg rather warm!!! More tiring riding position, as well. Not really what I"d call a smooth comfortable riding bike, but when compared to the 14R, you wouldn't expect it to be, right?.......But its pure Hell on wheels. The BMW has a mindblowing power surge, but you gotta get into up in between its legs to hit it. Get up above 7-9K rpm, and its like a missle on wheels. In fact, you actually find it hard to have enough open road to get it up to 13K rpm, cause its so fast getting up TO that speed, you are outta road by the time you hit the REAL power..........LOL But that said, its not really as lacking mid range as you'd think, either. Not an impressive amount of brute torque mid range, no, but not lacking, either...... Very fun to ride bike with many cutting edge electronic and handling features, and an amazing looking, unique style to it that EVERYone stares at, or comes up to and has to ask you about.......Riding it is like having a 25 year old Pam Anderson on your arm......... .And the Akrapovic shorty exhaust is VERY loud. Louder than the Brocks' CT Duals I have on the 14R. Different sound, entirely, obviously. Booth sound great, though.
THe BMW is actually more fun to me right now than the 14R. But that is probably cause I have less time on and its still very new to me. I do mostly town riding, so its easier maneuverability is more fun while riding around town with other riders. Once I am more used to it, I am sure the enjoyment factor will balance out a bit.
The 14R, I took the little woman for a cruise yesterday. There is no replacing it. What it does, it does better than any bike can.......... With its power, which is on tap, all the time. Alot more smooth, stable *don't worry I got you, buddy* type ride on the 14R. MUCH smoother and more stable.. It feels almost like a laid-back harley riding position in comparison to the BMW's position....And obviously, on the drawback, its weight and wheelbase becomes very apparent when entering the corners and when stopping.(that's why I find it crutial to take care when getting off the RR and then onto the 14R...... cause your reflexes andthe amount of pressure you want to apply to the brake have not yet changed, but the weight has increased by quite a bit, as has the handling requirements)
You can't get as *cocky* with the 14R as you can the BMW, cause it'll get away from you............LOL At least, it would from ME.
If someone can swing it, I highly recommend these two bikes as your *set*. In fact, I can't imagine any better contrasting combo than these two. Each are the absolute pinacle in its respective genra.........I am sure some will disagree with that, but, to each his own. I only read what review after review has said........And I have no desire to try and convince anyone of anything.
I do know, however ,that if you get a BMW RR to go with an existing 14R, the chances are extremely good that your face will hurt from grinning so much, you'll be on one of them every possible free moment you have.........and you'll find yourself going out to the garage in the middle of the night just to *visit*.
* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 7/8/2013 @ 5:20 PM *