Hello all!
Checking in, and a little background info on myself.

I'm Tom. Live in S. W. Missouri (Springfield region). Don't own a ZX-14 yet, but planning on one for my next bike, so I'll be lurking and asking a few questions here as the winter months go by (looking to buy sometime late next spring/early summer).
Now, the interesting background info.. Have been riding for quite some time now, and am currently riding an '07 Hayabusa, so no worries about the "ZX-14 as a first bike" scenario.
Why not a new Gen 2 Busa you ask?.. 14 has almost an inch shorter wheelbase than the Gen 2, 10 lbs lighter, and I love the look of the '11 black 14. I'm a devout (though 52 year old) twisties rider, so the shorter wheelbase and slightly less weight I like (and did I mention, I love the look of the '11 black 14?). And in case you're wondering, the main reason.. I LOVE the look of the '11 black 14.
Also like to do an occasional longer ride. Twisties down into Arkansas to the Cliff House for lunch. Ride to Indianapolis for the MotoGP race (rode the Busa there in '08 for the "Hurricane Race"). Ride twisties for 3 hours and get off thinking, "that was fun". Thought about a liter bike, but the aging back tells me, "yeerrr gonna be sooorry".
Looking forward to getting to know you all.. Tom

Welcome Tom.You will enjoy a 14.I know it's no long term test or anything,but I rode my buddy"s 08 Busa a few times.I did not like it.The ride quality was stiff and vibey.The ergos,although I kinda like looking over the frontend the way the Busa puts you,were too extreme for me.In higher speed cornering,his bike felt like the frontend was gonna start wigglin at any time.Totally different feel with my 14.Anyway....glad you're here..and Ride safe out there!

What I'd really like to hear from some of the guys here that own Busa's...is their comparos and such between their two bikes.I did not feel "safe" on his Busa...I do on my 14.If I owned a Busa...I'd most likely feel the same way towards a 14,IDK.They're both excellent bikes.I do know that when I got back on mine,it felt like "home"....predictable and planted.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 10/9/2010 @ 3:46 PM *

I've not rode a Gen 2 ('08-up) Busa, or a 14 yet (riding the 14 spec sheet so far), but..
Roughly 18,000 miles of twisties, and a couple of track days on my Gen 1. The consensus is that the Gen 1 Busa is a fairly lazy handling bike. Extremely predictable, nothing out of the ordinary down to the peg feelers and my toes dragging. Only complaint I have with it is the off idle throttle response. Coming back on the power from closed throttle can be an attention getting jerk. Something I'm hoping to not be bothered with on the 14.
I'll eventually get a dedicated track bike (600 of some sort, summer after next), so this won't be a problem for long. ZX-14 will see a track day or 2 (got a GoProHD, plenty of videos will be posted ), but will mainly see duty as a big HP street twisties ride.

Added Reply: I'm kind of looking for a faster/snappier handling bike than the Busa (the almost an inch shorter wheelbase), that still has the big bike comfort factor. I'm too old (will be 53 next week) to ride a 1000 all day. Much as I would like the power/weight ratio, and the true sportbike handling, it would be miserable to me after 100 miles (the average, weekend fun ride, being in the neighborhood of 160 miles). Not to mention 450+ mile trips, like to Indy again next year.
And.. the black '11 has for some reason, caught my eye.

G'day hillbillyTom from Stephen from down under, I don't personaly know about the busa but ive come from too cbr1100xx's and used to really luv them but after owning my 09 ZX1400 this year 11/3/2010 BRAND NEW)for 2 months then taken my bird in for consinement, where I bought the ZX1400 from I hated every minute of taken her in two,commpared to my 04CBR1100XX I use to luv, it just proved to me how much more linnear and smoooooooth my big red ZEDX is, my wife(47yrs old) also is with me (48 yrs old) most long rides,the position is more "age" friendly too !! and the instruments are heaps better to see so just to prove I'LL show the pictures of what I'VE "SAID"

PLUS I LUV THIS ZX1400 SO MUCH I'VE SPENT $3000 + ON MODS SINCE I BOUGHT HER AND WILL KEEP HER FOR 10 YEARS,

* Last updated by: bean07 on 10/9/2010 @ 9:29 PM *

so I'll be lurking and asking a few questions here

The guys here will glad to answer

(and did I mention, I love the look of the '11 black 14?). And in case you're wondering, the main reason.. I LOVE the look of the '11 black 14.

And you picked the write color lol, Weeeee

* Last updated by: Romans on 10/11/2010 @ 5:45 AM *

Welcome to the forum and you picked the fast color! Good luck with the search for the new bike. Hope all works out and you pick it up early spring, which makes a longer riding season for you and the new ZX14! Have fun!

Tom, glad to see you here! If you want you can take my 14 for a ride.

Careful there, I just might take you up on that.

Anytime!