After two years of no rding at all, I finally got on the new bike and took a ride. I thought I'd be intimidated but it was just like I never stopped riding. I kept the rpm moderate to midrange mostly between 3000 and 5000 rpm. I spiked it up to 7000 rpm a few times and I did lots of downshifting and engine braking. I used all throttle positions from just a crack to WOT. I ran the engine at 2500 rpm with very low throttle a few times and only briefly.
If you don't want to read this all, I'll sum it for you up front. Gen2 v Gen1, pretty much the same sport riding experience in all aspects. The 14R is more comfortable and a little more high speed friendly. We all know it's faster if you can ride it but you probably won't know unless you race Gen1 side by side with Gen2. The Gen2 has safety electronics so it is safer if you use them. The 14R improved a lot over the Gen1 ZX-14 but if your objective is power and speed, either one has more than you can handle on the road.
Handling:
The completely stock 14R felt a lot heavier at a standstill than my 08 that had many weight reduction mods. However, as soon as I took off, I felt as confident on the 14R as I did on my old Gen1. It was like I never stopped riding it. I will be doing all the same weight loss mods on the 14R that I did on my Gen1 so I may be able to make a more objective comparison in the future. I didn't corner the new 14R nearly as hard as I used to corner on my Gen1 but I got her leaned over a bit. I imagine the exhaust and fairings of the stock Gen2 would be a lot more likely to touch down than my lightweight Gen1 but it would be the same between both bikes if comparing stock to stock. For now I can say with certainty, 80 lb+ lightened Gen1 v completely stock Gen2, equal in handling.
Power:
Feels the same as my Gen1. Maybe I'll notice the extra 20 hp after I tune and experience riding the Gen2 more. I should think an extra 10 ft lb of torque will be very noticeable at lower speeds which I do a lot more often. I hit 90 mph one time on my ride today and the 14R climbed up there in the blink of an eye just like the Gen1 does. I didn't do any wheelies on the 14R but that will probably be the best way I can compare the bikes' power. I did wheelies on my Gen1 pretty often. If the Gen2 will power up in first gear at less than WOT or lower than 8000 rpm, that will tell the tale. Without riding my new 14R to these extremes yet, we have to give this one to the 14R. We know it has more power whether you can use it or not.
Throttle control:
I did not notice the annoying low rpm, small TP hesitation in first and second gears that my Gen1 had. I hardly operated the 14R under these conditions at all yet but if the low rpm/fine throttle dead zone was there, I would have noticed. Even so, I can feel the 14R will benefit from some engine tuning like the Gen1 did. At WOT, I noticed a definite leap in power at 5000 rpm on the 14R. Based on the rpm, I'd say that was not the flies open response. Kaw must have smoothed the flies right out with the 14R. There is plenty of power below 5000 rpm with either the Gen1 or the Gen2. I'm sure the powerband of the 14R can be made as linear as my Gen1's became after it was tuned. My stock Gen1 had two plateaus in power before tuning, I only feel a single peaky spot in my 14R so far but I have not ran it to redline yet. It may be a little early to make the call but for now, the throttle response of my Gen2 seems quite a bit superior to my Gen1 comparing stock to stock, new to new.
Safety/rider aids:
The 14R has a slipper clutch, KTRC, power modes and ABS, the Gen1 doesn't. I turned my KTRC to lowest and power mode to Full for my first ride. I don't know how help they are yet but they're there. Obviously, this one goes to the 14R.
Brakes:
The 14R has upgraded brakes but I noticed no difference from my stock Gen1 brakes, front or rear. Hard braking is not my forte though so I'm not the best to judge. The feel of the brakes is equally good on both my Gen1 and my Gen2. All it takes is a light touch to drag the front brake and from there, I can feel how much brake pressure to apply with subtle movement of the lever. I would have expected the Brembo master cylinder of my 14R to grab with even less lever travel than the Gen1 brake but it feels the same as the Gen1 to me. Both the Gen1 and Gen2 have good brakes. I can't tell if one is better than the other. The 14R has ABS so maybe we will give this match to the 14R.
Shifting:
The 14R gearbox sure feels smooth with the engine shut down and the bike at a standstill. I can lop between 1st and 2nd very easily and finding Neutral between is no problem. With the 14R at a roll, there is no big difference in shift feel through the pedal compared to the Gen1. The Gen1 shifted smooth, the Gen2 does too. Of course, with the engine running, the 14R still has the old familiar clunk into first gear that the Gen1 has. The Gen1 clutch lever is a bit on the stiff side and it's no different with the Gen2. Engagement of the clutch with the transmission also feels the same with both bikes. Gen1 v Gen2 gear shifts, equal.
Heat:
Like my Gen1, I felt bellows of hot air rise out of my 14R when stopped at a light. Get the bike moving even at moderate speed, the hot air goes away. For heat, both bikes are equal, they make a lot of it.
Instruments:
The 14R sure has a lot more info on the mutifunction meter than the Gen1 has. I should be able to give a better assessment of the instruments display once I figure out how to switch the display to "light background/dark type." I wasn't able to see it much at all while riding in daylight with the display set to "dark background/light type." The Gen1 multifunction meter has light background and dark type with no other option. Even it was hard to read in certain lighting situations. I expect the 14R LCD meter display set to light background/dark type will be no different, just with more info. As for analog speedo and tac, they are equally visible on both Gens while in an upright riding position. The dark background with light numbers of the 14R clocks look fancier but the good ol black on white of the Gen1 is easier to read. The jury is out on which instruments are better. I will have to become more familiar with the 14R meter functions before making that call.
Comfort, riding position, aerodynamics:
Between the Gen1 and the Gen2, I do not notice a difference in knee, hip and shoulder alignment while in the riding position. I don't think there's a lot of difference in wind protection between the Gen1 and the Gen2 while in the upright riding position either. However, you will find more room to tuck your head low on the 14R. That is a significant improvement for aerodynamics and it can be a plus for comfort and wind protection too. The 14R feels like it has a longer span to flatten down into while in a tuck. That also increases the amount of space for the helmet to fit inside of the cockpit and below the windscreen. There is more room to view the instruments while tucked down and more room to keep the back and butt low. This will help 14R riders with long torsos fit the bike for high speed operation better than if they were riding a Gen1.
The 14R seat is much more comfortable and ergonomically designed than the Gen1 seat. I seem to touch the ground flat footed without extending my knees as much while sitting on the 14R at a stop. The rider's butt stays planted on the 14R seat wherever the rider wants it. The forward slanting Gen1 seat was horrible in these respects.
The Gen2 takes it for riding comfort and sport/racing riding position.
I will probably have more to add in the future.
