Here's my opinion on both bikes. Keep in mind this is a street riding review only. I refuse to track a clean titled 20 grand bike. I track a Frankenstein, salvage titled, 2007 GSXR600 that I can crash and not cry about. I ride somewhat fast in the street. Not ludicrous speed like some people I know, but I'm no choir boy.
I have a 2012 S1K with traction control, quick shifter, and ABS. I added an Akra exhaust, PCV, Corsa windscreen, and Tech Spec tank grips. The bike is a great overall package. The seat is firm, yet comfortable. The seating position isn't bad for a sportbike. The fit and finish is quality.
On the road, the bike flat out hauls ass. Power everywhere, even in 6th gear. Wide open throttle between 10K and 14K, the power is so violent, you'd have to experience it yourself to truly understand. I'm still not used to it. This is the fastest bike I ever owned (I had a 2006 ZX-14 and 2011 Hayabusa among others). The cornering is very stable, and the suspension is very compliant over bumps, especially for a stock set up. It does require quite a bit of muscle to change directions quickly, because it's kind of heavy. The quickshifter is smooth and fast, but the wheelie control is very abrupt. When you lift the from wheel, the TC cuts the power and the front slams down. The brakes are strong and linear, but BMW cheaped out with a Nissan MC. I'm 6'1", 205 lbs, and the fairings offer good protection. I can easily squeeze under them in a tight tuck. My bike came with Metzeler Racetec K3's which are great tires. Fast warm up, sticky, stable, and fair longeevity. The best part about the S1K is the bike works well whether you're cruising, obeying the rules of the road. Or if you're railing it balls to the wall.
I have a 2013 Base 1199 ABS. I have Termignoni slips with the latest up map, Corsa windcsreen, and Tech Spec tank grips. The stock seat was slippery and hard, so I bought the DP race seat. That changed the seating position slightly. I now sit higher, and my balls don't get crushed during heavy braking. The seating position is definitely more race oriented than the S1K's. The reach to the bars seems further and you're more hunched over. Fit and finish is top notch.
On the road, the bike is a mixed bag. The bike seems timid, until you reach 8K RPM. Then it explodes with a rush of power and torque. That makes it slightly wheelie. I like that. But it requires more attention to be smooth. While cornering, the bike is a little busy. The suspension is harder than the S1K and doesnt absorb bumps as well. As long as the road is perfectly smooth the 1199's handling is superb. But bumps really upset the suspension more than the S1K. I've learned to ignore the little skips and jumps the bike does over bumps, and just keep the throttle open. The TC is really smooth, and it doesn't chop the throttles during wheelies. When changing directions, the 1199 is telepathic. Just look where you want to go. It requires so little muscle to change direction. It truly feels like a 600. The quickshifter does feel a little sluggish though. Sometimes there's a little jerk while using it, but that's always at RPM's lower than 8K. The brakes are very strong, and have less initial bite than the S1K, which I personally like better. The wind protection isn't so good, the 1199's fairing are tiny. I had to buy a skin tight leather jacket to stop the wind buffering at high speeds. The Supercorsa SP V2's are the best tires I've ever rode on. Very confidence inspiring. The 1199 makes me want to ride fast at all times. The motor and suspension don't seem settled when cruising. At legal speeds my wrists and back hurt. Not to mention the heat which frys your legs and crotch. This bike wasn't made for the street, that's the biggest difference between it and the S1K.
If I only had one bike overall, I'd pick the S1K. If I could only have one sportbike, it would be the 1199. The 1199 looks like it's from the future. The S1K looks cool, but it's not the same. There's something else about the 1199 that's hard to explain. The way it makes me feel. The vibration, the noise, the stiff suspension, the throttle response, the riding position. I feel like I'm the fastest rider ever while on it. But it's an illusion, because I'm faster on the S1K. The 1199 is really something special, that has to be riden, to really understand. The S1K appeals to my logical side. The 1199 appeals to my emotional side. They're very different bikes. Equally as good, but in different ways. It really depends on what's most important to you.
