I'm completely neutral on this, both bikes look fine to me. I might be leaning towards the older style because I own one.

I'm completely neutral on this, both bikes look fine to me.

2ND, Not that Drastic a change. Untrained eye might not know the Diff. What's under the skin has got my undivided attention I will admit.

I like the styling of the new bike. I think the new engine and electronic aids are great but not enough to trade in my 08 with only 7800mi on it. I've got it set up exactly the way I want it. Handled like a dream on the Dragon this past summer. My wife would never go for me getting a new one unless I sold my 08 14, and my 09 R6. I like it but not that much. As good as it is it will never handle like my R6. And you can only use so much power on the street. Bazzaz has a traction control system that I could retrofit it with for a fraction of the cost of a new bike. I'm really happy for the members that have gotten the new 14R. I love the new technology just not enough to get rid of my other 2 bikes that I really love.

How to approach this bike is to remove panel for panel. One is going to assemble smoother, faster, plus, you'll see the design approachange. That execution is what changes the bike. Appearance wise, the ferrari fin comes out more. If I could not catch the face or tail quick enough, the shingle opening would spot the engine family change.

This is for sure a new animal. Engine family says: 1969 to 1978 CB750 Honda had a long production run. Sans a few head gasket and transmission changes, you could swap an F with an A, meaning; swap the A's (automatic) crank on up with a K as well.

This says; from 2006 to 2011, sans the crank-to-clutch basket change, every other part is basically the same. Not so with the R. Start with the neck. That is K-LGRevision. (Landing Gear Right Dare!) Don't get me started on the crank to rod change we are dead in the wateright dare!

Letsea, WATT else here?

Silver14, my sentiments exactly, with a Supersport and a 14 you have your bases pretty much covered. Now you just need an R1 and a cruiser and you have a bike for any occasion.....LOL! New 14R looks great but doesn't improve my mission profile, I have to sit this round out I'm afraid. Looks wise the 14 R is not worse and not better IMHO, just different.

"This is for sure a new animal". That's why using statements like"better" are not really a good choice of words.That was my mistake.It would be unfair to compare this motorcycle to an earlier version 14 and try to somehow 'make them in the same category".They're not.That doesn't mean one is better than the other.I had miles of fun on my 07.I'm intending to have miles of fun on my new bike.I could immediately feel the difference between the two.I liked what I saw and felt.Some may not.That's fine.You'll love her or hate her...as it's always been with these big bikes.

I don't think ANYONE(including me)bought their zx14's thinking.."what an ugly machine".How could you enjoy something you felt badly about?I couldn't.The toss up was the Busa,or the 14 for me.The 14 was visually more appealing to me.So I bought one.And had a blast on it.Now to me..this new bike is Visually more appealing to me than my other 14.That's mainly why I bought it...the other things only add to the enjoyment,for me.Nothing wrong at all with the performance of the earlier bikes.Nothing at all.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/18/2011 @ 2:24 PM *

The new 14 is leap sand bounds ahead in the looks dept.

Well Kruz thinking about a new ZX10 like you've got, and a Goldwing and my stable would be complete. Had an M109R been there done that. Have my wife's 05 honda shadow aero (4000mi on it) to ride if I have a cruiser moment, not likely though. I've come to appreciate what I have and loving that they're paid off.

Gen 4 on the 10R? I really liked my Gen 3, add an Akra full system and a Power Commander and it's an animal! I think you can still find pretty good deals on those. The Gen 4 is a bit of a let down I'n the midrange department but you can get an easy 180 HP at the rear wheel with just a $350 ECU flash. It feels like a big 600. Speaking of 600s, I just came back from a ride on my 6R, what a hoot, nothing like a Supersport to get your adrenaline rush on!

"The new 14 is leap sand bounds ahead in the looks dept."

Then get ya one!

It's a tough one... contrary to what Green said the 14 and the 14 R is and will always be the same bike to me. Sorry for the silly analogy but to me this question is like comparing a child at different stages of his life. I like the new 14 looks better because I understand where it is going. The lines are sharper less bulbous. It's like comparing an old R Royce to the new version, same thing with mercedes. The same can be said about the evolution of men... Look at the old v.s the new James Bond. Not too long ago a set of big shoulders was the ticket (Sean Connery) now you have to have the matching abs, pecs etc. We live in a world where every sign of strength has to be shown off and exaggerated, where more is always better. Don't get me wrong the 14 looks fast and fierce but the new 1 looks like it's been "falconized"... It's on steroid! The sharper fins, sharper headlights, the over zealous pipes (which is a synonym of speed and power in Japan and therefore sells more bike)etc. What amazes me is that I still like my 14 the same. I'm proud of what it turned out to be but enjoy the younger version.

Hey Rook you were playing hard to please at first but it looks like you're in love now!!!! lool
I remember people questioning my taste when I said I didn't even mind the flame on the new 1! lool
If I can help it all my bikes got to be black though

Naw Kruz it would have to be a Gen4 on the 10 really don't like the baby seal headlight look on the 3rd gen. SportRider did a reflash, Akra midpipe, Leo slipon and make over 180 to the rear tire on the 10R. It'll be a while down the road though. Joined NESBA gonna be wringing the R6 on the track this summer. If I'm able to advance and get pretty comfortable on the 6 and felt I needed a 1K may take the plunge. Trying to keep the size of my stable under control and stay married at the same time.

Hey Rook you were playing hard to please at first but it looks like you're in love now!!!! lool

One more neutral vote. No need to trade my '07 at this time.

* Last updated by: Steven14 on 12/20/2011 @ 6:25 AM *

Naw Kruz it would have to be a Gen4 on the 10 really don't like the baby seal headlight look on the 3rd gen.

Really, to me the Gen 3 had a slightly cross eyed, alien space critter look about it that I found endearing. Not fond of the Gen 4s face, looks like they crossed the front end of an F-117A with a coal shovel....kind of angular for my taste.

I won't argue that the Gen 4 will lay down some serious high rpm smack, BMW territory, I just don't like the soft midrange hit..... I'll take it though, smoothest running machine I own and I'll put it right there with the 6R for handling.

I like both - each has it's strong points and each has a lot of character...

After only paying 6K for my '07 w/2200 miles and full exhaust. I can't imagine paying 13-14k for a new one. May be faster, but I haven't even pushed my current bike to its limits. I'll let someone else pay the bloated prices, take pristine care of it, just so I can buy it from them at 40-50% off later. Ha!

Kruz, the old 10 had a cooler frame on the side but the new one is all about lowere weight so what do expect except for a 6oo's frame? That hugger on the oldie is a class act. hard to follow. They should have kept that, I think. I'd look at modding one to fit the 2011.

ALSO, find a way to put a race tail on there and make it street legal. Matches the bike a lot better than the stock tail. Makes a big appearance improvement imho.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/20/2011 @ 12:19 PM *

you guys who say you think the gen 1 and the gen 2 ZX-14 look just as good ---you're a bunch of liars!

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/20/2011 @ 12:21 PM *

I just got a phone call from......1Bad! He's on his way over here to kick some butt! He's been busy going up against Gadson and Brock over at the other 14 forum, says the new bike ain't all that.

Gonna get really intersting when the big guy weighs in over here.

BTW , he confirmed that the 14R is 29 pounds heavier than a Gen I.

you guys who say you think the gen 1 and the gen 2 ZX-14 look just as good ---you're a bunch of liars!

Actually Rook, truth be known, I think the Gen1/GenII looked better but I think everyone is just being kind and saying no preference.....keeps the peace!

"you guys who say you think the gen 1 and the gen 2 ZX-14 look just as good ---you're a bunch of liars!"....now now Rookster....c'mon...everyone's got their own opinion.They're absolutely keerect...precisely why THEY should NOT get the new bird.No one will be able to have a love/hate relationship with this new bike....she aint gonna tolerate that.It's all or nothin baby.This new one is just TOO dangerous to play with.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/20/2011 @ 12:59 PM *

I do like the new lines of the 14r, but I just got off my 09 Black n Orange Special Edition and love the smoother lines including the gills. Either flavor works...........

I won't argue that the Gen 4 will lay down some serious high rpm smack, BMW territory, I just don't like the soft midrange hit..... I'll take it though, smoothest running machine I own and I'll put it right there with the 6R for handling.

That's what I needed to hear, Goldwing is gonna be put on the back burner till I get me a Gen4 10r. Just gotta get my daughter out of college and on her way. From what I read the reflash gets rid of the midrange softness by advancing the ignition. Factory retards it in the lower gears and rpms. Just gotta wait till one pops up on craigslist!!