Talk me away from a ZX-14

[Silverbird]

NFS, got any side shots of it with the bags on?

Keep us posted on the re-flash too sounds awesome, did you have any fueling problems with the exhaust change?

[Sport-Touring]

[NotDeadYet]

NFS - beautiful bike.  I love the pipes you put on.  Now you need to paint the luggage inserts to match.  Reflashing the 14R - yikes - I can't imagine what a beast that must become.  Although having said that the first thing I did to both my 14's was to pull the flies and put power commanders with custom maps on them.  As you noted it totally transforms them.  I must confess to lusting after the 14R.  

[Blue is Best]

Reading these posts over the last few days got me to thinking what I pay for insurance. For both the FJR and ZX14 I pay $950/year for full coverage. The FJR is MORE than the ZX14!!!!!! FJR about $540 and the ZX14 a touch over $400.

I went with the TRE08 from Ivan's to quicken the opening of the secondaries as opposed to removing them. I can have my bike back to stock in five minutes. Well, a bit more as I would have to replace the stock pipes!!!

[Need For Speed]

NFS, got any side shots of it with the bags on?

Certainly, she sure looks loaded down when I hang the bags. Probably to my advantage, hopefully the po po will ignore me  

[Need For Speed]

Keep us posted on the re-flash too sounds awesome, did you have any fueling problems with the exhaust change?

No fueling problems, they are just mid pipes and slipons. Major weight savings though, seeing how they are titanium and carbon fiber. The stock cannons are ridiculously  heavy.

[Need For Speed]

NFS - beautiful bike.  I love the pipes you put on.  Now you need to paint the luggage inserts to match.  Reflashing the 14R - yikes - I can't imagine what a beast that must become.  Although having said that the first thing I did to both my 14's was to pull the flies and put power commanders with custom maps on them.  As you noted it totally transforms them.  I must confess to lusting after the 14R.  

Just got back from a brief test ride, post ecu flash. All I can say is wow   Smoother, more responsive and pulls even better than before - who would have thought that was possible?!?!

I would paint the inserts to match, but I share the luggage (for now) with my Blackbird and they look good that color on that bike.

[lonerider]

Are there good years and bad years when buying used ZX14?

[Need For Speed]

Are there good years and bad years when buying used ZX14?

I don't think you can go wrong with any year ZX14, just keep in mind that the Gen2, with the bigger, more powerful motor and traction control started in 2012.

[Blue is Best]

2006 and 2007 are same bike, just different colors. They have two catalytic converters. The secondary throttle butterflys are controlled by the computer and really don't open much until about 5,0000 rpm in the lower gears no matter what you are doing with the throttle. Hence, the "I took out the flys" routine. If you do that you MUST get the bike reprogrammed. Otherwise you're running WAY lean.

2008-2011 had some minor changes but the biggest is changing the programming of the secondary throttle valves. They open much quicker so you've probably heard those years have more torque. But, they also have three catalytic converters. Less top  end.

2012 and up are monsters. 1443cc motor and bazillion hp.

I bought a new 2007 in early 2008 as I didn't want three cats and wanted the blue color(blue is best!!!) I added an electronic widget that tricks the computer into thinking the bike is in 6th gear all the time which makes the throttle response way better in the lower gears.

Hope this helps.

[NotDeadYet]

As noted above there really aren't any bad years.  There was a factory recall on some 06 /07's.  There was an issue with some frame bolts having been tightened too tight and there were a very few instances of cracked frames as a result.  I took my 07 in and they loosened and re-torqued the offending bolts and gave it a visual inspection to ensure there was no damage to the frame.  I was in and out of the dealership in 20 minutes.  I never bothered to get my 06 checked.  Most of the them were inspected shortly after they were sold.  You can double check the vin number with a Kawasaki dealer and they can tell you if it was done or not.  I still have both the 06 and the 07 and now I'm lusting after a ZX14r.  I don't think honey would be too happy if I brought one of those home unless I sell or trade at least one of the bikes in the garage.

[Volfy]

Nothing wrong with using a ZX14 for your intended purpose.  A few tidbits from a "non-owner":

1. Mirrors.  They offer great view and are steady at hwy speed.  I actually have these on my SV1000S and like them a lot better than the cheap Suzuki stock POS.  Bad thing... they don't fold.  I'm spoiled with foldable mirrors on various bikes that the adjustments don't get knocked out of whack when the mirror stalk gets bumped (and they always do).  For Kawis, I would've preferred ZX10 foldable mirrors.  Had an '08 and also used those same mirrors on different bikes and liked them a whole lot better.

No real biggie, but living with a bike on a daily basis does reveal "refinement" bits like this that some mfrs do better than others.

2. Seat.  I had a ZX14 stock seat on my C14.  It was about an inch lower than C14 stock and more rounded in shape, which makes it very nice for daily commute and sliding around on the seat.  For longer rides, though, it was not ideal.  I would switch to a Kawi accessory C14 gel lower seat, which was all-day comfortable for me.  Something you could consider, as the seats are compatible with C14.

3. Gauge cluster.  Shared with the C14.  I found the MPH dial difficult to read... day or night.  Younger eyes will see no evil, I'm sure.  Otherwise good layout and lots of good info.  Dunno if later models have bar mounted pushbuttons (much more user-friendly) but my '09 C14 didn't.

[Silverbird]

Oooh ohhh!  NFS you had a blackbird?  Extensive comparison info please!!!

[Need For Speed]

Oooh ohhh!  NFS you had a blackbird?  Extensive comparison info please!!!

Had? Still have, been riding Blackbirds of one flavor or another for the last 10 years. There is no way I will part with my current one, despite how fantastic the ZX is. Way too much $ and time to get it exactly the way I like it  

What can I say? The 14R is a very capable bike that is somewhat similar to the Blackbird until you wick it up. Then everything changes    Even more so now that I had the ECU flashed.

Superior power deliver, awesome brakes, fully adjustable suspension, ABS/traction control, etc...

It is what Honda should have evolved the XX into  

[wibornz]

You should not buy the zx14.  It is way to fast, unsafe, to pretty, draws to much attention from LEO and a couplete waste of money.  Go buy your wife a tennis bracelet and get yourself a bmx bike.  This way you will not need to buy new gear.

[XXMAN]

I say go for the ZX14. Go to Ebay and you can get the factory centerstand option for $150-175. Chain maintenace is then taken care of. Put on some slip-ons and lose 20 lbs and add some sound. The ZX14 has one of the most vibration free motors out there. Your daily drone will be a marvel.

The CBR1100XX is way smoother than the ZX14

[Silverbird]

XXMan, I've hear different things about the 1st Gen ZX14's and the heat it puts off.  I thought my XX was a hot bike, really hot.  How hot does the 1st gen ZX14 get compared to the Bird?

[DDFZ1]

Just got back from my Fall Color Tour through Colorado.  I've raised the bars 2" (Genmar x2), dropped the foot pegs (Buell), added hard luggage and a Corbin-rock hard.  The Bike cruised through the corners.  One other thing, after talking to my Dealer I've switched to Mid-Grade fuel and it runs fine.  Saves $.15-.20 a gallon
I'm 64 yrs old and still need a bit more pull back in the Bars.  I'm testing a Freedom Air sport cushion next.
Get at least a 2012 ZX14r to get all the updates.
Enjoy!
 

[Dan K]

I spent two days in Colorado, mostly on a rented FJR, with maybe 1/4 seat time on a C14. Loved that ride, including Independence Pass, especially on the way down.

Unless someone decides to buy my Sprint in the next few weeks, I see myself holding on to it until next season. I'll then reinstall stock parts, sell them and save extra $$$ so I can afford either a newer model ZX14 or possibly a VFR1200 (a guy is selling one perfectly set up locally, and he let on he'd let me ride it).

Rode a Ninja 1000 in the interim - loved it, fit and finish were top notch and it handled beautifully... but it had a buzz that I couldn't handle and didn't want to have to try to address just so I could own the bike. The ZX14 had the same refinement, with no buzz and even more power. I'll still have the Tuono for track days and dedicated rides in the twisties.

- Dan

[Need For Speed]

Just rolled over 10,000 miles on my '13 ZX14R (rode 9,000 miles between June and the middle of last month), and still digging it for Sport-touring duty  

I have been all over the place in WA, ID, MT, OR, CA, etc and it did everything I asked of it and more. And with the flash, I got more usable power and a little better fuel mileage. Now if I could just get a little better mileage out of my PR4's!

I do believe it is the ultimate Sport-touring machine  

YMMV

[Big Sarg]

Purchased a left over 2013 14R in August.  I've done a couple longish rides including one 8 hour day and I love the bike.  I had been riding a full on sport bike but needed something with a little less aggressive ergos following surgery on my cervical spine.  I had heli risers installed to further reduce the ergos on the 14.  After the 8 hour ride my butt was a little sore, but I've found you need to give any new bike at least 5k miles if not 10k before making a decision on a seat.  

The bike is sooo smooth.  You can pull from 2k RPM in any gear.