2014 Heavyweight Sport-Tourer Shootout

I have ridden the Bmw 1600 Gt and GTL, and Yamaha 1300 a + es models and the Kawasaki Concours extensively. First the BMW 1600 has a fantastic engine that is very smooth, but there throttle response takes getting used to and the radio and wind protection I would have rate as low. Neither give great satisfaction and leave you wanting more. If the name does something for you then go with BMW. Ok now the Yamaha, which has a really linear and strong acceleration which feels more like gearing than horsepower. The older models (ie. 2013) have really bad seats, no really bad seats, you add in cramped knees for anyone taller than 5' 9" and find yourself fatigued much more than any of the others. Newer Yamaha ES model has a nice electronic ride adjustment on the fly but it feels really vague at best and the seat is better, however the body molding feels cheap and pasted on. Kawasaki feels a bit heavier so you can not flick this bike back and forth as fast as the Yamaha but it does feel more stable than the others. Bmw will dip into the corner faster but it feels like it will fall over unless you right the bike at the end of a corner. The yamaha feels jittery on bumps or any curve that is not perfectly smooth. I would say if long range riding is your thing then Yamaha is the last pick. If cornering is your thing then Kawasaki is the last pick unless you change the back tire (skinny 55 series) which many do, then it becomes a tie for 1st. Kawasaki is about $2000 to $12000 cheaper than the other bikes, which leaves you enough money left over to buy one of the best suspensions system on the market, that will allow you to smoke all the other bikes. I wish I could say more about the Triumph but I have not spent enough time on this machine, but it feels under-powered to me.

Seriously.. That is NOT sport-touring.. This is luxury-fullsize-touring. Take a look at a VFR1200F or a BMW K1300S. THAT is sport-touring!

Regardless of make or model WHY DONT WE GET A BETTER COLOUR CHOICE FROM THE MANUFACTURERS

K1600 every time

Disagree with all your comments on the 2014 Kawasaki 1400GTR ABS (K-ACT) which I ride in Australia and it's an awesome bike has no issues whatsoever??? and at a better price than the other three bikes...

i own a 2015 c14. kawi fixed the issue with the linked system and changed some seals in the neck to loosen up the steering. With those issues being fixed the 2015 model is a beast, and oh sooo fast! haven't lost to anything yet! gs750 z1000 fjr1300 zx6r i beat them all! kawi for the win!

Why is sport touring always associated with gigantic bikes. There are many more smaller, agile bikes with the bags, windshields, and comfortable riding positions.

i love how he says each model and a price then the bmw they talk about the motor and features then the price. building that one up. lol

I have no idea why they say the Connie doesn't turn. No idea. Plenty of power and great handling. Stupid journalists

K1600 > all the rest

good review

good review

hello yea

Nice wheelie by the Connie at 9:30 mark....!!

Thank´s from Germany for your good work!

Pretty good vid. I ride a Gen II YamaMama FJR. Awesome machine i got for 5k a year ago. Only complaint is the stock windshield puts the turbulence on my helmet, thinking of adding a lip, and the clutch is a bit heavy.

Top box, heated seats, and heated grips are all extra cost options on the Trophy SE, unless Triumph was including them as part of a sales promotion as they commonly do. Great bike, but I might still choose the FJR.

I would imagine the "connie" referred to in all these comments are AKA Kawasaki GTR1400 here in South Africa? comes out with the same power plant as the Kawasaki ZX14?

bag the Busa and be done.