ZX14 WOW

[daddysbike]

I finally rode the ZX14 that I mentioned in a Dec. thread. It only takes three words to describe the ride/power...OH MY GOD!
I'm 44 and have ridden lots of bikes, mostly sport/sport touring/standards with ~ 100 rear wheel HP. I currently ride a VFR and Goldwing. Climbing onto the ZX I noticed the ergos about like my VFR with pegs lower than true sport/trackday bikes. It took me a mile or two to get onto the 4 lane hwy that I had to ride for 15 miles to get to the twisties in the  north Ga mtns. There was little to no traffic so I cranked it up.....slowly the first few times and wow you better be holding on becuase it will throw you off or pull your arms out of socket. It rode very nicely on the hwy with great/quiet/smooth airflow (better than my VFR which needs a double bubble). Redline is 11k. 2nd gear at 5k = 50mph, 2nd gear at 11k = 120mph. 3rd gear at 11k = 140mph, I didn't test gears 4-6. As on all the bikes I've ridden, the sweet spot where the engines pulls nice and good engine braking is alwasy around 10-11 o'clock on the tach, on the ZX this equals 6-7k. You would really never need to go over 7k but I did once I finally reached the mtns. I rode lovely, twisty hwy 60 from Morganton, GA past two wheels only to hwy 19 in Dahlonega and back which equals about 75 miles of great twisties. The ZX rode about like the VFR, a great handling but heavy (compared to the RR's of the world). It changed direction smoothly and the brakes are very powerful. I have to tell you that I was on this bike for ~ 2 hours, 100 miles and did not want to get off, its that good. Hwy 60 is a great rode for sportbikes and the ZX was a lot of fun on it. I used 2nd gear most of the time going from 5k rpm at 50 to over 100mph on some of the longer straights. On some of those strarights I wacked it pretty good and held on. The acceleration is flat out exciting/intoxicating/addicting (I have that problem on any bike). The engine never screamed whether I was at 5k or 11k, I really like that as I don't like to annoucnce to the Leo's up ahead that I'm coming (or aggrevate the locals). I always say you don't need more than 100 rear wheel hp on a 450-500 lb bike and you don't, BUT- well you know. I consider the VFR the perfect all 'rounder and am tempted to replace it with the ZX. The problem is the VFR has hardbags, a large metal tank with a 250 mile range (the ZX avg. 30 mpg so 150 mile range). I guess you could strap soft luggage on the ZX but I don't think it would look very good (vein I know but the function the VFR provides and stil looks good counts for me). The ZX has a gear indicator which I really liked and as stated earlier you could spend all day in 2nd and 3rd gear. The ZX is slightly longer and has a 190 rear tire which makes it very stable but it doesn't turn in like a GSXR, not a problem with me as I don't exceed my personal 8/10ths often, most wouldn't notice and be happy with the handling (I was).
 I do think you need to be very experienced to ride/own this bike if you want to keep you liscense and your life. Its amazing how fast the ZX accelerates and I found myself wanting to crank it up all the time on any road straight, curvy or inbetween. I know that 120-140mph sounds crazy and it is on the street but on the ZX it feels normal, it does it that smooth, stable and that well. That's also why I likely won't get one, I mean how long can you get away with that? I seem to have good luck and don't ride in city traffic. I ride 20-25k miles/yr with no wrecks or tickets. The tickects is pure luck, the wrecks more skill than luck I hope. I am careful where/when to crank it up but on the street you still never now when buck or doe is going to appear. Also with a wife, 2yr old, 5 yr old and mortgage I just don't think a 180 rear wheel HP bike is the recipie for longevity but I'm seriously thinking sell the VFR and get one! maybe ride alot less but enjoy that insane power every now and then.  I think the insurance and replacing tires every 2k miles would be enough to discourgage me but I have the serial number and am calling my agent tommorow! I know I should just keep the VFR or get another Vstrom but there is nothing like that ZX14.
The GM who let me ride this bike also said I can ride his '07 1000RR anytime I like, the parts guy whined because the GM won't let him ride either. Next up, my ride on the '07 1000RR.

Steve

[Farked Up]

You only live once. And, 44 years gave you plenty of experiences. You do believe, don't you? Go for it!!!

[Longpath]

So you want a ZX14 with hardbags?  You're in luck...that's what the new Connie is, with shaft drive.

http://kawasaki.com/Products/detail.aspx?id=220

[daddysbike]

Yeah but something tells me that this:

won't exactly be as much fun as this:


But I think the new Concours is going to be a great bike and maybe a better choice than my VFR.
That ZX14 was the most fun I've had on anybike.

Steve

[Longpath]

Something tells me that coming from the point of view of a VFR (not that that's a bad thing) that the degree of separation between the ZX14 and the new Connie would hardly be noticed.  You were probably as blown away by the ZX as I would be, and had you rode a Connie you might be saying the same thing...just a guess, of course.

[HWYB8]

I've got 1202 miles on my ZX-14, and I still look like this.....

 

And when you ride two up, don't bother with heavy throttle in first gear.  The front end just won't stay down.   

[garry]

I demo'd the ZX-14 last summer (45 min ride) and liked it a lot. The OP's description pretty much nails my own: it's not a nimble as a pure sportbike, but it has sporty (but sane) ergos,  an awesome motor, great brakes and handles very well. I might even be able to get over the funky (IMO) side fairing. I'd have no problem throwing soft luggage on it and leaving for a week.

[Squareman357]

LOL!  Sounds like you had fun.  Now, as far as mileage is concerned, well if you're keeping her throttled up to the "sweet spot" expect your gas mileage to lower appropriately LOL!  I've gotten as much as 220 miles out of one tank, though I'm sure I looked like by the time I finally found gas.  Normally 200 miles is about right with averaging 85 to 90 mph on the road.  Dropping down to the 70 mph range I can get an EASY 220+ miles out of the tank, but of course I don't ride that slow LOL!  The ZX is rock stable at far more than 140.  I've actually had one run up to about 180 and there was no buffeting or anything.  It's crazy how sedate the bike feels at speed though, and it's SO calm and collected, even at mild triple digits, that you are often surprised you're going as fast as you are.  For a big bike she handles quite adroitly, surprising many people that I've let throw a leg over.  10K miles down the road and I'm still   as well.

As far as soft bags, that's all I've ever had, and I don't think they detract from the looks overly.  Besides, you only get a short glimpse of me as I pass, so what do I care LOL!  Hard bag options are available, with mounting kits available from GIVI and I think Krauser, but I'm not sure about the Krauser ones.  I'm a softbag kinda guy myself.  Get it.  You won't be disappointed.  Nothing quite like the posh, smooth power of a big bore.  Once you go stacked, you'll never go back LOL!    Also, I got 5K out of the stock tires before hitting the wear bars.  I have a tiny bit over 5K on my current Pilot Powers, and I still have some distance to the wear bars, maybe another 1K or so.  That's with riding fairly aggressive.  6K isn't bad for such a powerful bike.  Because of the set up, it doesn't shred tires like the Hayabusa, while still giving you Busa power.  I'd imagine if I went to Pilot Roads, I could probably get 10K, but I like the dual compound Powers and I'm happy with current mileage.

[daddysbike]

Thanks for the info,pictures. Sweeeeeet bike. When/if I get a ZX it will be black. Also it looks very nice with soft bags, what gear do you have? 5-6k out of a set of tires? i'm lucky to get that on the VFR, I'd be thrilled to get that on the ZX.
I reallllly want one!

Steve

LOL!  Sounds like you had fun.  Now, as far as mileage is concerned, well if you're keeping her throttled up to the "sweet spot" expect your gas mileage to lower appropriately LOL!  I've gotten as much as 220 miles out of one tank, though I'm sure I looked like by the time I finally found gas.  Normally 200 miles is about right with averaging 85 to 90 mph on the road.  Dropping down to the 70 mph range I can get an EASY 220+ miles out of the tank, but of course I don't ride that slow LOL!  The ZX is rock stable at far more than 140.  I've actually had one run up to about 180 and there was no buffeting or anything.  It's crazy how sedate the bike feels at speed though, and it's SO calm and collected, even at mild triple digits, that you are often surprised you're going as fast as you are.  For a big bike she handles quite adroitly, surprising many people that I've let throw a leg over.  10K miles down the road and I'm still   as well.

As far as soft bags, that's all I've ever had, and I don't think they detract from the looks overly.  Besides, you only get a short glimpse of me as I pass, so what do I care LOL!  Hard bag options are available, with mounting kits available from GIVI and I think Krauser, but I'm not sure about the Krauser ones.  I'm a softbag kinda guy myself.  Get it.  You won't be disappointed.  Nothing quite like the posh, smooth power of a big bore.  Once you go stacked, you'll never go back LOL!    Also, I got 5K out of the stock tires before hitting the wear bars.  I have a tiny bit over 5K on my current Pilot Powers, and I still have some distance to the wear bars, maybe another 1K or so.  That's with riding fairly aggressive.  6K isn't bad for such a powerful bike.  Because of the set up, it doesn't shred tires like the Hayabusa, while still giving you Busa power.  I'd imagine if I went to Pilot Roads, I could probably get 10K, but I like the dual compound Powers and I'm happy with current mileage.

[Squareman357]

Thanks for the info,pictures. Sweeeeeet bike. When/if I get a ZX it will be black. Also it looks very nice with soft bags, what gear do you have? 5-6k out of a set of tires? i'm lucky to get that on the VFR, I'd be thrilled to get that on the ZX.
I reallllly want one!

Steve

So far I have Nelson Rigg DSLB-500 Saddle-Bag/Tail-Bag combo, Two-Brothers Carbon Fiber M-5 Exhaust, Luggage Locker brand "Tank Locker" tank bag, Throttle-Meister Bar end cruise control (in black for $10 extra) and a Corbin Canyon Dualsport Seat.  Everything else is stock.  I love it.

[st2sam]

Squareman357, how do you like the Two-brothers pipe, loud? I have Nelson-rigg luggage, IMHO the best for the money.
 Steve, your fooked, what you described happend to me. I traded my Ducati two weeks ago, so far so good.

[Squareman357]

Squareman357, how do you like the Two-brothers pipe, loud? I have Nelson-rigg luggage, IMHO the best for the money.
 Steve, your fooked, what you described happend to me. I traded my Ducati two weeks ago, so far so good.

I love them.  They have a deep, throbby, muscle-car sound at idle, and sound SWEET when running high revs.  Of course I wear ear plugs when riding, so the sound is muted somewhat.  I can pull away from my home in the wee hours on the way to work, and as long as I short shift and keep the revs down, it's no worse than any other vehicle in the alley.   What I love MOST is that I don't accidentally burn myself anymore.  Even an hour or two later, the stock pipes with the catalytics in them are HOT.  I backed into one once and if not for my boot I would have burned the crap out of myself.  I HAVE burned my forearm lubing the chain.  With these, I can grab the can immediately after shutting down the bike from a ride and the can, while still very warm, won't burn me.

[canban]

Hey Sam, Congrats on the new ride. Will we see it at ESTN 07 ?

[st2sam]

Hey Sam, Congrats on the new ride. Will we see it at ESTN 07 ?

Thanks Fred, and yes you'll see it, it'll be my first trip on it!

[R Doug]

Thanks Fred, and yes you'll see it, it'll be my first trip on it!

WTF!?  I'll never be able to keep up w/ you now!  

Nice bike Sam, now you need to change your screen name to STsam and drop the Duc "2" from it.    

Anyhow, I read earlier that you may be interested in Givi Luggage on your bike.  I found this picture w/ some Givi sidebags on a ZX14 from Givi's website...



They look nice on it!

[R Doug]

PS... Here's what the tubular side brackets look like on the ZX14 to hold the sidebags (V35 Monokeys... the same sidebags I just ordered by my Fizzer).  I think the ZX14 looks damn good w/ the Givi bags.  And, unlike my Fizzer, it doesn't appear you need to move anything (i.e. turn indicators) to accomodate the side racks.

[blakebird]

Always like to see someone take a spin, see the light, etc. I'm a former '93 VFR owner, '99 XX owner, '04 CBR1000RR owner - just to mention a few of the bikes I saw above.

I'm with Squareman on the mileage thing though. I put about 14,000 miles on my ZX in the first 4.5 months before our strange Colorado winter took over... and have a few road trips in the 3,500 mile range on it. Around town I get 36-38mpg, and on the road I have no trouble getting 42-44mpg. I've hit the 210-220 miles per tank a number of times and still had close to a gallon to spare.
Heli risers and a Corbin seat. The risers are nice, the Corbin is mostly for a backrest for the missus, but ordered with a taller pocket to unkink the knees on an 800 mile day. (6'-1")

RE: the Givi bags. The Euro ZZR1400 has a slightly different tailsection, with a grab handle for the pillion and a bit of a shorter section of center plastic. Those pieces are required for using with the Givi PLX mounts and the VN bags. I was in contact with RL (Givi dealer in US) about these bags when they first came out. Looked like they were headed stateside....then due to the different mounts, Givi decided not to.
I believe TwistedThrottle can get the Euro tailpiece/grabhandle. Getting the bags and mounts will require a bit more work than just calling up a US Givi guy though.

...and because any thread is worthless without pics.

[Nitro]

Nice report...I too have found most likely the  only new bike to replace my vfr will be the zx14..Not the least interested in the connie..diff critter..., and anything with that name brings back bad memories........

Thanks for the update..i only did a 20 min run, but  it was enough..very impressed with the ergos .

[st2sam]

Thanks all for the info, Doug for the pics. and blakebird for the heads-up on the Givi set-up....  
This year I'll do the soft bags (nelson-rigg like squareman357) tank bag deal. I have a nelson-rigg tankbag but it's magnetic, so today I orderd the same bag only strap mount. This spring I'll get the nelson-rigg saddlebags and after a few trips I'll decide if Givi bags are really needed.

 Oh, today I also orderd the centerstand (Kawasaki) and installed a throttle lock.
Is it spring yet!

[Orson]

Thanks Fred, and yes you'll see it, it'll be my first trip on it!

DeWd!

I thunked yew wuz happy wit yer Italian

WTF dewd?  

[st2sam]

DeWd!

I thunked yew wuz happy wit yer Italian

WTF dewd?  

I was very very happy with my Ducati's and I can see getting another one day. *BUT* after 6yrs I needed change and a little more power.

[Orson]

I was very very happy with my Ducati's and I can see getting another one day. *BUT* after 6yrs I needed change and a little more power.

I am speechless.

I am without speech.

 

[R Doug]

...I needed change and a little more power.

From someone who purchased a ZX14, "a little more power" is the understatment of 2007.  

[malbojah]

Yeah but something tells me that this:

won't exactly be as much fun as this:


But I think the new Concours is going to be a great bike and maybe a better choice than my VFR.
That ZX14 was the most fun I've had on anybike.

Steve

You know, maybe it's me and I'm just tired, but the way the tank slopes into the bottom of the seat, I wonder if the subframe from the new Connie could be swapped onto the ZX14 and then have the option for factory hardbags??

[PhilBiker]

Reminds me of the time in 1994 when I test rode a V-Max for the first time after only owning a 700 Virago.....  Memories of -> .