I'm considering buying a used ZX14 if I can find a good clean example. It would be my first Kawasaki. I have owned many bikes, mostly Honda but also Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha. Are there things that I should be wary of on a used ZX14 specifically or things to know concerning Kawasaki in general?

06-07 bikes had a frame recall. If you buy used from a private individual, he should be able to prove he has passed inspection. I would imagine that as a second owner, you would be able to bring the bike into a dealer and have a free inspection just like the first owner should have done. You can look for cracks yourself but it has to be done by a kawi cert shop to be official. I am not exactly sure where they were happening but it was on the frame near the back wheel. It was pretty rare but I heard of some of them snapping just because of undertorqued bolts. 06-07 bikes with cracked frames were having frame replaced with a G2 frame which is cast more as one piece.

Also have heard of rods getting thrown and busting out of engine case. Seems like that happens under extreme conditions like 12 o'clock wheelies for 1/2 mile. Seems like the oil might wash to the back of the pan and starve not be available to lube adequately. I think there have been boosted motors that blew but that's the risk you take if you install a major turbo, I guess. However, I hear the 14 is an excellent and very strong/reliable motor to turbocharge.

Rook

can you post any details about the bike you're looking at? i'm willing to bet it's a solid machine as long as he didn't abuse it at the strip or ride wheelies like rook mentioned.

I don't have a bike located yet. I'm looking though and wanted to know what to watch out for. I would be replacing my Triumph Sprint ST. The Sprint is a great bike but could do with a bit better brakes and suspension and it is a little small for my 6'4" 250lbs body. I've owned many bikes over the years but the '97 XX is closest to a 14. I haven't ridden a 14 yet but my hope is that it is the equivalent of a modern day XX.

Well here's a few.... take one for a spin!
There are 6 on the WA section of CL right now.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/mcy?query=zx14&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

There's even a good deal on some pipes and a PCIII down in Portland:
http://portland.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=zx14

I'm about your same size and the 14 fits me perfect! I can do 500 mile days, eat some dinner and be ready for more. The big beast is comfy! I'd consider myself a fairly aggressive street rider and my only legit complaint about the zx14 is the soft suspension. At some point I need to put a little extra $$$ into some stiffer springs.

* Last updated by: bgordon on 4/3/2009 @ 12:44 PM *

* Last updated by: bgordon on 4/3/2009 @ 12:44 PM *

Thanks! What did I do wrong?

Thanks! What did I do wrong?

The tags around the links were a bit off. I just fixed them for you. -bg

Thanks for the links. I hope to find one in black but would consider others. I know there are a few around but as you might expect, the weather here sucks (rained or snowed every day this week) and I just haven't had a chance to ride one yet.

Interesting about the soft suspension as I've had to rework most all of my sportbikes including my Sprint and RC51. I was hoping to not have to do that on the 14.

Personally I would stay away from bikes that have been mod'd, cause more than likely it has been ridden hard or abused, either at the track or on the street.... plus you don't know the person who did the work, or if it was done properly...

Walk away from a crashed or dropped bike. More the lightly crashed ones. Save that extra money and buy new. I rather buy a smoker that never crashed. Heading neutral dead straight is the way to go = Crash-less.

* Last updated by: Hub on 4/3/2009 @ 9:57 PM *

Long before I ever did a wheelie, almost since new, my front wheel sqeaked a tiny bit, especially in the colder weather. It is sometimes audible with the motor off when I roll the bike. Sometimes not. My front brakes will make a little squeek under light application at very low speed. High speed, no sound. Rusty rotors are not uncommon. I believe it happens from even slight deposits of salt. It should ware off with use.

Warped brake rotors are mentioned by owners at times. It could be caused by long, hard braking at high speed. Warped rotors need to be resurfaced or replaced. Feel for a pulse in the lever to indicate warpage.

I think the comment above about searching for an unmodded bike is valid but sellers often undo mods before selling and keep mods or sell them sepparately. I've removed flies, I have done some revs to about 9K, got a few low wheelies with soft, natural touchdown - the bike runs perfect. I have 100% confidence in it or I would not be doing that stuff at all, ever. Keep in mind that the bike is really not best run at under 3K rpm (fuel economy is lower under 3K and engine ware might be a little worse, too). The bike is capable of 0 - 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. You can land yourself in jail for doing topend in first gear on any highway in this country. Second gear is potentially faster than the top speed most of the cars on the road are able to attain. You still have 4 gears after that. The bike likes to go fast. It wants to go fast. Low miles are good but reasonabley hard running isn't any big deal.

I really haven't heard much about little mysterious problems that got worse and worse until the thing broke down. I think if it runs good and you have evidence of proper routine maintenance, it will continue to run good for a long time.

Rook

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/3/2009 @ 11:11 PM *

I agree with hub, especially with sport bikes buy new if you can!!!!!

Few more issues that get mentioned:

Head shake on decel. Probabley caused by a tire which has worn poorly from not being kept well inflated. Also heard after market bar end weights could have something to do with that.

Oil leaks. Check closely around the area of the engine case where it is bolted together. This problem seems to be easily fixed with an additional washer under each bolt head.

A lot of people complain about the heat that comes off the bike and many worry that the bike is running too hot if the temp display rises above 3 bars (middle). Don't worry about 4 or even 5 bars if you are in a hot climate. I have seen 5 bars in 90 degree urban situations but never 6. I am now running at 2 bars most of the time in 30 - 40 degree weather. Heat is to be expected. I've never heard of a 14 that runs cool. The other 2 Kawis I've ridden were the same way.

Don't be alarmed by the clunk you will hear and feel shifting into 1 from Nuetral. That is also normal for a Kawi.

Hope I'm not scaring you with all the possible problems. I don't have the feeling very many 14 owners experience them. It's just that I have read a lot of posts. I think we've just about covered all the things you could expect to find if something were wrong.

Rook

Thanks for all the feedback. And no, you're not scaring me away. Just good info. As for buying new, I usually do. I haven't bought a used bike in in nearly 20 years! However, at this point with 3 bikes and money being tight, I have to sell or trade one to get one. I need to keep it somewhat close to what I can get for the Sprint so I have a little left for a few mods. Otherwise I have to keep what I have until my finances improve. I hope that is soon but with the the way DC and Wall St. are running things, who know?

FHR, What are you going to do with a 10 year old Honda? Why are you holding onto bikes that may be worth bucks down the road are decades away you will be dead by than. Is that why the 51 might be valuable? Is it bone stock never touched, never dropped, has the original tires, not tire'd a decade into the future? How much would that 14 replace the 51 in it's place, you modded the bike, lost the exhaust, gutted the cat, I would tell you it is junk now to any collector. Rotate it, we are up to date here is the latest generation, we are both looking at garage queens.
You still have your bike because you, the wall street chump, did not sell. So you have no loss but a paper loss. Are you going to wait out a few years or whenever the cycle of the economy will eventually rise again is just a low cycle, and now you have to compete with a person in the middle of buying new cc as opposed to your same cc used.

I would think you being the seller of a choice bike could set a premium price if the bike is all there stock. If not, I'd walk from it or give you a dirt cheap price is me trying to restore it? Not when there could be a potential perfect copy never touched, dropped, sat dusty with the original tires and the paint faded is worth more than your one mod.

Think about it.

As you know, most all bikes are poor investments. I keep the RC51 because I love v-twins and enjoy owning and riding it. It is worth more to me than what I could get for it. When or if I do finally replace the 51, it will likely be with a Ducati or Aprilia or other twin. I'm looking at the 14 to replace my Sprint.

My comment about money and finances are a reality that in my case, expenses have gone up and income gone down. That combined with Wall St. bailouts and DC completely out of control, there is much uncertainty.

Don't know about these days is times 4 years, but historically [Historically Speaking], when the Dems are in, the Wall Street Stats show the better market/economy is when the Dems are in power. I am not worried. Where you gonna run to?

Waaaaaa Waaaa Wahhhh Wahhhhhhhhhhh.

Back on topic. In the past I have seen some Kawasaki bikes that had fit and finish issues. How about the newer models and the 14 specifically? Does the paint hold up to miles pretty well?

6600 miles on mine and the paint looks good. Sure it's got some swirls but I was able to remedy that with some detailing products. The tank gets scuffed up from leathers but I'm sure that would be the case with any bike. I think the wellnut fasteners work great. Just be careful to let them feel just short of loose or the rubber part can crack. The body panels fit together well. I have some seams between panels that I guess you might call a slight gap. You really have to look at the bike a long time before you notice it. I consider myself to be pretty picky and I don't mind it. Really check over the screws, fasteners and adjustments. I've found a lot of stuff loose or not adjusted properly(front suspension different on each side, throttle play not tightened down).

Rook

Rook, that for all the info. I hope to find a good used 14 in the next month or so before riding season out here anyway. I will be sure to check it out properly.

Hi. I am from South Africa and had an 06 red zx14 which did 25000km/15000 miles with zero problems. I bought an 08 and fitted a PC, full Arata system and a BMC filter. I also have a "ram air" attachment on the front of the fairing which certainly helps fuel consumption at higher speeds (140kmh plus)and appears to give more top end hp. Great bike.