Hello All - I have had the ZX14 on my mind for several years and got to ride one last week as my good friend just picked up a leftover silver '08. Even respecting the break-in rev limits, the smoothness of the engine and solid power were phenomenal. I am definitely biten by the bug. I currently ride a KTM Adventure 990 and KTM Superduke 990 - the Superduke felt like a BMX bike with a very rough engine in it when we switched bikes! Previously I rode Triumph Sprint STs. I love the ZX's looks, twin exhausts, smooth easy roll-on peformance, instrumentation etc. The silver ones are nicely understated but the greens are also nice.
The Superduke is a comfortable bike, even for me at over 6ft 1in with pretty long legs and the ZX14 was definitely much sportier in position - lower bars and higher, more rearset pegs. However, I feel that the Buell pegs and Genmar risers would get it into the ballpark for me. Being upright on a long ride can induce as many aches (counteracting wind) as a more stretched out position!
The ZX was certainly not as keen to steer as the Superduke (duh!) but I feel that alot of this was that my line of sight was lower than I am used to and that I wasn't looking through the corner as much as I usually do (my head was alot lower with the ZX's ergonomics). Also, the Superduke steers very quickly so it is probably just an issue of a little more seat time to get used to it. I wonder if the slightly higher Genmars would add a little 'leverage' to the bars?
I have also been looking at the BMW K1300S but it is just too spendy for me (even taking a risk on a factory buyback bike) as I still want to keep my KTM Adventure (and can only 'afford' 2 bikes......at a stretch). I have always valued the idea of ABS brakes but don't deliberately ride in the wet and havent't thought about it once on the Superduke. The ZX14 looks to be easy enough to do simplish things yourself, like oil changes anbd it is likely more reliable and less complicated than a BMW (or KTM, for that matter).
Anyway - just wanted to say Hi and let you all know how useful this forum has been already as I have researched what may be a potential purchase (chopping in the Superduke). A little about me - near to 41 with a wonderful 8 year old daughter that I want to keep coming home to safely after enjoying a bike ride!!
Take care - Wolfhound
* Last updated by: Wolfhound on 5/28/2010 @ 1:52 PM *
-bg
It's plenty of aftermarkets to make it fit you.
you wont be sorry its just a great bike