As much as it sounds I'm not sold on the RC51.
My S3 is a great bike, I wish I could keep it, but for more sporting adventures in East county it's not cutting the mustard. With its rather tired and lame suspension track days are totally out. Sure I could drop some bucks on updates there but I'm also ready for a different ride.
I never rode a 'comfortable' bike so to me the RC and my S3 are not that bad. Initial feedback is that the RC offers more wind protection at highway speeds than my S3. Both offer a stiff ride. The only luggage needs I for see at this point is a 2-3 day tail bag which I am sure I could fit on nearly any bike. Years of being a road warrior (airline) taught me to pack very light. I can live out of a carry on roller bag for 8 days.
Sure sounds like I'm trying to talk this into a RC only conclusion but I'm not.
I stopped by the Escondido dealer on the way home today. Sat on the 07 (guys says they didn't ship 06's??) Mille and Tuono. Like the Beemer bikes the new prices are in the stratosphere but they are indeed beautifully put together. I'll send an inquiry to two local used bikes on Craigs list, an 01 Mille with 10K miles and a 02 Mille R with 8K miles.
01 Mille 02 Mille R
The Mille seems very similar to the RC51 - both in ergos and engine. I am interested in the differences while riding.