[lie2me]

Apparently it's not practical to use a magnetic tank bag on the 14 and, by what I'm reading, there currently isn't a strap-type bag available for them.

Not practical on the 12 either I have a chase-harper with straps like the one pictured. I'm sure it would fit a 14 the same way. Not too many bags are 'bike specific'.

Also, I'm wondering if it's possible to raise the bars on the 14 as much as can be done on the 12r.

What kind of bars are on your 12, the 14's bars seem perfect too me. Even better than my first gen Heli-bars.

The 14 is a more complicated machine compared to the simplier 12r.

And the 12r is well sorted.

more complicated? It takes a half hour to get to my air filters, and another 30 minutes to get everything lined up and installed again.

I see what you are saying about the 14 moneywise, but the money isn't the issue. The 14 just doens't move me like I wanted it too. I REALLY thought it would be glove-like...kinda when I sat on the 12 the first time. I will still consider getting one, but not at the expense of selling my favorite ninja. BTW, thanks for the investment advice, but Gramma beat me too the college fund


SITW, i don't think his particular comment here was out of line. What happens at bikeland should stay there IMO.

Let's not turn this thread to poo....please.

Jeff

 

[SITW]

Lie
You are correct. I removed my post. Problem is, it didn't just happen over at Bikeland. It started here earlier, but you are correct none the less.

 

[lie2me]

thank you.

I'm loving the blue 14...

 

[SITW]

Lie
I have to admit, I did not care much for the looks of the 14 at first. But as I said before, I do not buy bikes on looks. However, now that I have it and the more I look at it, it is growing on me. I think my problem, why I didn't like the looks, is that I kept comparing it to what I thought a sport bike should look like. I didn't accept it for trying to be different - i.e. the front end and the Foreman grills. I can't remember where I read it, but someone said it reminded them of Italian car styling. Well duh, look at the Testarossa grills! Well, I love Italian sports car styling. Once I read that comment, looked at my red ZX14, Italian sports car red, it sort of clicked and the looks really grew on me. Add to that, the pics of tslewisz's ZX14 with the exhaust and fender eliminator. His bike looks absolutely great!

If you can put aside that it really doesn't make much more, if any, peak horsepower over the 12R stock, it IS a leap forward in smoothness, ridability etc. Keep in mind I am comparing it to my 2001 12R. And despite what the nay sayers are saying about horsepower, it has more potential than the 12R with simple mods. You can already see the results at the drag strip and top speed runs. It has already set a few records.

 

[Aughtsix]

Apparently it's not practical to use a magnetic tank bag on the 14 and, by what I'm reading, there currently isn't a strap-type bag available for them.

Not practical on the 12 either I have a chase-harper with straps like the one pictured. I'm sure it would fit a 14 the same way. Not too many bags are 'bike specific'.

Yeah, apparently I'm off base on that one.

Also, I'm wondering if it's possible to raise the bars on the 14 as much as can be done on the 12r.

What kind of bars are on your 12, the 14's bars seem perfect too me. Even better than my first gen Heli-bars.

I'm one of the fortunate ones - the stock bars on the 12r (especially the much faster and sexier 'A' models) work quite well for me. But when I sat on a 14 one of the the first things that crossed my mind was that the bars were 'off' - just didn't seem right. And since the thing was billed as the next chart-topping hyper tourer I expected (read assumed) that the ergonomics would be, well, better than they are.

The 14 is a more complicated machine compared to the simplier 12r.

And the 12r is well sorted.

more complicated? It takes a half hour to get to my air filters, and another 30 minutes to get everything lined up and installed again.

Functionally complicated is what I meant. Yes, the 12r can be a bit of a pickle to work on, but with enough time and beer almost anything is possible... :wink:

Maybe it's just me, but I look at the earlier 12r (A1 through B2) as a more basic, simpler machine compared to the newer offerings and that counts for a lot in my book.

At the end of the day, I'll readily admit that my bias is tempered with disappointment -- the 14 isn't the wonderbike I was expecting -- so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a nice, clean, low mileage A model.

May as well get back on what moves me... 8)

 

[oldkawboy]

I honestly did not like the looks of the 14 when they first came out, in fact I thought they were just plain ugly.
But..........after spending the week-end on one at Maxton it was kinda like getting drunk at a bar. The more you drink the prettier the women get and the faster I ran on the 14, the prettier it got!
By the time we dropped it off, I had a tear in my eye and was thinking----That's a beautiful bike!
Dan

 

[lie2me]

I'm past the looks of the 14, I don't think it ugly, but different. I think it will be hard for ANYONE to overcome the pure viewing pleasure of a 12(for me anyway.)

For a bike that has been 'marketed' as a hyper-tourer, I wasn't expecting the radical bend in my kneecaps, or the tiny screen, or the fact that my knees ride on the top of the tank indention. With that said, the windscreen is an easy upgrade, maybe even the pegs could be lowered just a bit(they do look like the buell-mod would work). I just don't think that I could get past the knees outside the tank indention--feels like I'm riding on top of it). Even the busa that I recently rode accomodated my knees...with the same harsh bend on my knees. I cannot get past the fact that it just doesn't 'fit' me.

Thinking back to my 12, I didn't like the bars and the seat that squished my balls. Those were relatively easy fixes. So what I'm hoping is that I will be able to pick up a 14 after you 14 gurus start modding the shit out of them....and updating all of us 'on-the-fence arm-chair quarterbacks' like myself.

The only other thought is a drag-bike...which a bus will work fine, especially when comparing the costs and availability of aftermarket parts and turbos.


thanks for the input fellas.

 

[zxxx]

Hey Jeff, like I said before, my buddy has been trying to talk me into trading my 12 in on a 14, well yesterday I went to the dealer and sat on a 14, I always liked the looks of the 12 much better, but I was surprised that the 12 was also more comfortable and semed to fit me better as well, the bars and pegs just fit me way better on the 12 and were more comfortable.

The 14 is kind of appealing because of the extra 150cc and the clutch and brakes are aparently much better( the clutch and brakes are the only things i'm not realy crazy about on the 12), my buddy is putting stainless steel lines on the back brake, we'll se if that improves the braking any. but being that the 12 is paid for and i'm real happy with it, I dont think i'll sell it or trade it in on the 14.

 

[SITW]

I posted in another thread, if you are a big tall guy, the 12R definitely is more comfortable. Seat to peg is closer on the 14 and the whole bike is lower. You have to honestly weigh the benefits of the 14 over the 12R, they aren't that big. Of course I don't think you will see large leaps in performance/improvements with a normally aspirated new model in the future. Stricter Euro and soon to follow California noise and emission rules are making it tough. The fact that the ZX14 performs as well as it does, is as smooth as it is, AND meets Euro 3 rules is what makes it amazing.

 

[Philhnnss]

Well, put 200 miles on the new 14 so far. I have to say I am completely happy with it. Yes, I would agree with everybody. My 2004 Candy Thunder Blue ZX-12R was by far a much better looking bike. Just like somebody else said. To me the 12 is just what a sport bike should look like. Better than the R-1, all the other ZX's, just all of them. But in this case I will have to take function over form. Then I am vertically challenged, lol!!! So I don't have the fit problem with the 14. Fits me better than the 12 ever thought about. Again like others have said, the 12 always felt like I was perched up on top of it. This 14 feels like I am inside it. For me it just makes it so much better to ride. So, am I disappointed I sold the 12??? No!

 

[lie2me]

I spent a little more time at the dealership today...I gotta have one. I know I said I'd never part with the 12....but...

It fits me a little better than I thought. I also have to remind myself that my 12 is Far from stock when it comes to comfort. If I can swing keeping the 12 I will, if not....a black 14 is in my future(hopefully near).

 

[Aughtsix]

L2M - Ya gotta do what moves you.

SITW's right on the money when he says that a motorcycle is a very personal choice - it only matters what you think, not what anyone else thinks...

 

[lie2me]

May have to go without a ride for awhile, but the 14 does move me....and I really want it to move me faster than my 12 :wink:


I'm gonna try and sell the 12 this summer and pick up the 14 this winter. Hopefully all 4 of the 14's at my local stealer will still be sitting there when I decide to buy.

 

[SITW]

Lie
I am certainly not trying to talk you out of a 14, but be sure to really evaluate the seat to peg distance. It is closer on the 14 and I don't think the 14 will be as comfortable for someone really tall. I hate to see you get it and that end up being an issue.

 

[lie2me]

It's purpose in life is the dragstrip...and some moderate cruising. My back has deleted any thoughts of long distance. The first time I sat on the 14, I thought it didn't fit right, but I was also wearing my really thick soled Army boots. It felt just as good as the 12 with my regular riding boots. Thanks for the heads up, all the info I can get before throwing down the cash. Trust me, it will be very well thought out before I actually get a new bike.

 

[mokaw]

My birthday's tomorrow, June 29. I decided to get myself a nice present, so, I went to the Kaw shop and bought a pretty red ZX14 8). I'm picking it up on my birthday and I'm really looking forward to riding the new bike. I'm keeping my 2000 ZX-12R. It would be too hard to part with.
Your turn lie2me.

 

[lie2me]

Your turn lie2me

Actually July was my inteded monthof 14 purchase....but something came up, so I'm waiting for a few months...or more depending on how much my sons attorney costs. I may not be next, but I'm in line. :wink:

I also want to keep my 12...but time will tell.

 

[jimb]

My birthday's tomorrow, June 29. I decided to get myself a nice present, so, I went to the Kaw shop and bought a pretty red ZX14 8). I'm picking it up on my birthday and I'm really looking forward to riding the new bike. I'm keeping my 2000 ZX-12R. It would be too hard to part with.

Alright!!!!! Happy Birthday and let us know what you think of the 14!

Congratulations on both birthday & purchase.

 

[mokaw]

Thanks a lot :wink: I'm just leaving to go pick up the 14. The first thing I'm going to do is cut off part of the ugly rear fender.
A 51 year old man riding a ZX-12R with nitrous and a zx-14. Will wonders never cease 8)

My birthday's tomorrow, June 29. I decided to get myself a nice present, so, I went to the Kaw shop and bought a pretty red ZX14 8). I'm picking it up on my birthday and I'm really looking forward to riding the new bike. I'm keeping my 2000 ZX-12R. It would be too hard to part with.

Alright!!!!! Happy Birthday and let us know what you think of the 14!

Congratulations on both birthday & purchase.

 

[lie2me]

age is just a #, happy birthday, hopefully I'll get mine for Christmas. :wink: