I'm replacing the stock radiator hoses on my 2014 ZX14r with Samco hoses. Are there any tricks I should know about, and do I need the spring tube guards that are on the stock hoses with the Samco hoses?

Also, my bike is getting up there in miles, (43,000), and I do not have an overheating or leaking problem, but should I consider replacing the radiator with a new OEM one?

Lastly, Rook if you read this, I just want to thank you for all your tutorials. They have helped me so many times while I've been doing things to this bike. I've haven't had to post much here, but the information you post is always so detailed and spot on, so thank you!

I ran my 08 with all the radiator hose hardware removed for about ten years. The steel coil is to keep that hose on the left from collapsing or being damaged in a crash as far as I can tell. I saw no deformation in the stock hose after I removed the coil. I had planned to get a set of Samco hoses too. LOL Samco was even going to use my set of OEM pipes as a donor to create a special set for the Gen1. I never carried out the Samco hoses mod but it's a good thing to do for safety. Old hoses might be getting brittle.

I'd check the scheduled maintenance chart for radiator replacement. I can't remember anyone reporting radiator failure except in cases where the radiator was struck by something while riding the bike. It couldn't hurt to have a spare radiator on hand but I hear they're pretty expensive. My 08 had 50,000 miles and no trouble with cooling or leaking.

Thanks, DeadCow. I am glad the tutorials have helped you. I use them when I do the procedures again too.

http://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=DB506338-EBDB-265E-2EBEA01A030B9094

I was glad to put a radiator guard early on. I can't see any reason to replace the radiator unless you see reasons to do so, at 43k miles. Too many people seem to get these bikes to double+ that mileage and we aren't seeing issues. I don't think any have reported radiator issues without there being a cause. As long as coolant flushes have been done (2 years...maybe 3 depending on mileage) and no obvious signs of potential failure. But while you have it all part, might also not be a bad thing to replace. I got no problem either way, leaning more towards not replacing.

I thought Kaw's schedule for hose replacement was very conservative, like every 5 years or something. I can understand replacing the hoses preventatively at 50k miles, or maybe 10 - 20 years since this IS a motorcycle.

Excerpt from Service Manual on radiator inspection.
- Remove the radiator (see Radiator and Radiator Fan Re-
moval).
• Check the radiator core.
If there are obstructions to air flow, remove them.
If the corrugated fins [A] are deformed, carefully
straighten them.
-If the air passages of the radiator core are blocked more
than 20% by unremovable obstructions or irreparably de-
formed fins, replace the radiator with a new one

Here at fix it when it breaks, I have a 30yr old sitter that chewed away and/or cracked aluminum radiator hose mounts. Chemically, it expanded this crust and split this hose attachment mounting part. Here is a photo of the sitter and what I went thru to clean things up.

So if there are no leaks, internal veins look clean or built up with crust, the antidote is a 3rd water, a 3rd vinegar, a shot glass or 2 of hydrogen peroxide and let sit for 24hrs, flush and repeat.

Research of the KTM series 1290 'Beast' shows; a poor mounting design and can crack a leak from wheelies coming down. Both share the gas tank lower mount and top radiator mounts and when they compress between the weight of the gas, the frame mount lower holding the bottom radiator, it takes the load and cracks the core.

Other than that, you read between the lines about changing coolant hoses for said litigation. No swap out, cough, no case. More of an ass protector warning(s) peppered inside the FSM.

As far as a technical swap of the core at so many years out makes no sense, if the radiator shows no leaks, or can flow thru the veins and not overheat the engine.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOaT95GePWtfUnjnXZNvognkcWo-LJTDIejEmsf

* Last updated by: Hub on 7/4/2024 @ 6:13 PM *

I straightened the fins on my 08 once and it didn't look too bad. After that, I mostly only did sport riding in very good weather. I rode fast and it was in wooded areas but I haven't seen dents in the radiator fins. If you ride during times of the year where there's crap on the road from winter, you're probably going to get a lot more debris thrown up at the radiator. A radiator guard is extra weight but if you need it, I'm sure it's well worth it.