Hello,
I'm thinking about purchasing a zx14 and found one at a 2008 at a dealer for $4750. the only down side is its got 58,800 miles! what do you guys think? I looked at it briefly at the shop and it look clean considering how many miles it has. here is the link

http://www.bmwmotorcyclesdallas.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=08376734X11K6K2012J12I56I04JPMQ1158R0&veh=59110&pov=278459

[image assist... -bg]

* Last updated by: bgordon on 11/7/2012 @ 3:04 PM *

Mine now has 50k and it runs like it's brand new. These motors can and have gone over 100k miles. If the maintenance was kept up and it runs good, I would not worry about it.

Mad

Meh, I would keep shopping. That unit will sit awhile. Most 14's have much lower mileage for not much more.

I think that may be an '06. A friend had one that color scheme and it was an' 06. Regardless, even though that's quite a few miles, it looks clean and the price is right. For that money, you could afford to put an engine in it down the road.

I'm sure they dont have any more than 4000 into it, offer 4250 and head for the door. All they can say is no. If they do keep looking, thats alot of miles!

I have almost 40K on my 08. With the economy sucking the way it has, I ponder the idea of selling once in a while. At this point, if I returned my 14 to stock and sold NO mods, I would hope to get about 2000 dollars. Maybe 3000 if I was willing to wait a while. $4000 if I was not all that motivated but the someone came along with cash in hand.

I see the bike has M4s. My fav set of slipons but I still would not pay over $200 for a mint set of used slipon anything. You will want a full system.

Got some Shogun sliders on there? Those are not terribly expensive IDT.

It's a nice bike but too expensive. I guess the fact that a dealership is selling it as opposed to a private party gives it some cred but I do not trust stealers to make good on anything that might be wrong any more than a private party. Buyer beware.

My 40 K bike runs stronger than ever. Does use some oil and has a minor head gasket oil leak. I can fix that. A lot of bikes have this leak. check on the front left corner of the top engine. Fixable but def a reason to bargain a big price break, IMO.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/12/2012 @ 2:40 PM *

Well went to look at it and it was sold, but now I'm going to look at another one. It's setup just the way I want it, 4-1 pipe, swing extensions and lowered(I like drag racing). It's an 06 with only 14k miles for $6500. I'm going to take in my Honda blackbird and see if I can work out a deal.

* Last updated by: KevinH on 11/15/2012 @ 7:47 AM *

"My 40 K bike runs stronger than ever. Does use some oil and has a minor head gasket oil leak. I can fix that. A lot of bikes have this leak. check on the front left corner of the top engine"..ROOKSTER...with all your How-To's...you aint fixed her yet?.Forget the gasket....washers baby...two each...10mm stainless.Two left bolts..front and back.;)

Kevin...nice bike....there ya go..ready to race!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/15/2012 @ 8:51 AM *

Guys, it isn't a "head gasket oil leak" it's a VALVE cover oil leak. We don't want to scare anyone.

Mad

Hopefully Friday I will go to look at the second bike. We shall see, Fingers crossed

You are referring to the engine head which sits atop the cylinders. The valve cover is the cap on the head, camshafts and lifters are in the head, and the head is above the cylinders. I'm sure there is some sort of gasket between the head and the cylinders. If so, that is not the gasket that leaks, no. The gasket between the valve cover (if you will) and the head is what leaks. ..just so folks know where to look.

Regardless, the SM calls the valve cover "Head Cover." Makes sense to me. Valve covers seem more like a term for V-8s where there are two small covers/side and they do not actually cover the whole head.

From the SM:

"?Valve clearance must be checked and adjusted when the engine is cold (at room temperature).
• Remove: Lower Fairings (see Lower Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter) Middle Fairings (see Middle Fairing Removal in the Frame chapter) Crankshaft Sensor Cover (see Crankshaft Sensor Re- moval in the Electrical System chapter) Cylinder Head Cover (see Cylinder Head Cover Re- moval in the Engine Top End chapter)"

If I may quoth the great Bard on this one:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

Well I went to look at that stretched one, but ti wasn't at clean as it looks in the pictures. Also when starting it up it make a strange loud noise then it idles and rev fine. I pressed the start button then a loud(er) bang(not backfire) before it starts to run, so i didn't want to take chance. Also they said they probably wouldn't be interested in my Blackbird.

On the other hand I found another high millage 14. It's got 47000 miles but its a Single owner and at a reputable dealer(we've purchased for them before). I look at it in person and its real clean and looks fresher than the prier one. Its deck'd out as well but with very expensive tour goodies So I know it wasn't abused with racing. check it out. what you think? I origanally went there to look at their Busas but was not impressed with them in person, the ZX14 see better built.

http://www.southwestsuperbikes.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=02500421X11K26K2012J5I39I02JPMQ1312R0&veh=37799&pov=2777589

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* Last updated by: KevinH on 11/26/2012 @ 8:04 PM *

If you get it, I'll take them nasty old bags and rear rack off your hands.
A guy who was looking at a stretched bike doesnt need that 'junk' lol.

I'm guessing that is NOT a abused bike.
Good Luck with your shopping.