Honestly, the only advantage root has vs unrooted so far as this phone goes is the complete removal of bloatware vs disabling it all. You can still disable any and all bloatware by holding the app int he app drawer, opening the app info, uninstall any updates if the option is present, then ultimately disable the junk. This will stop from phone resources being used to crapware on your phone, and will also help with the speed the phone, and of rebooting if you need to.
Lacking root, you're unable to utilize something like GravityBox to give little tweaks to your phone (one I'm fond of being the "Clear All" button in the recent apps drawer) or the Xposed Installer. Not the end of the world; GravityBox and Xposed doesn't have much outside of small quality of life tweaks for your phone. You'll live.
You are still able to install APK's from unknown sources. You are still able to use Nova Launcher to replace the disgusting Verizon phone icons (Phone, SMS, Contacts, Camera, etc) with stick KitKat icons. In fact, Nova Launcher can make your home screen and app launcher look and feel like KitKat. It's honestly very close to having KitKat itself.
Google Now is still very strong, even without the "always listening" from the home screen. My phone is rooted, but I have made no changes that would affect or enhance Google Now simply because I haven't felt the need. Mentioned above, disabling a bunch of crapware that Verizon puked onto this phone might have unforeseen performance benefits. Do your best.
Otherwise, I - like you - am eagerly awaiting KitKat to land on our phones. Having run CyanogenMod, XenonHD, BeanStalk, it's blatantly obvious that this phone is more than capable of handling KitKat without stutter. With Motorola opening their eyes about unlocked bootloaders, one can hope that after KitKat, custom ROMs will also be ported to the RAZR without all this stupid bootloader fuss.
Thank you for playing the waiting game with me.
