Hello all, I Pray everyone's Holidays were great. I am looking to purchase a new motorcycle in the near future and i've narrowed it down to two the ZX-14 or the Hayabusa. I am 6'6" and about 350lbs. I was wondering if there were any big guys or girls or anyone on 14's that couls shed any light on the comfort of the 14. I am especially interested in the comfort for riding long distances, the longest time you've ridden before stopping due to numbness/discomfort. I am not interested in the speed, 1/4 mile times, top end speed, etc. at this time. It seems like everytime i go into a dealership in my area al they want to do is talk about how fast it is and how much faster one is than the other. Dealers around my parts won't let you test ride, probably the same everywhere else. I want to be comfortable first and foremost so when my wife and i ride, we can both go the distance w/o having to stop every hour due to discomfort. I curently ride a 1998 Honda CBR 900rr that i bought for my wife. I rode it b/c she didn't have her license, but now she does, and i dont get much seat time. So, its time for me to get me one. Thank You for all your input and time. GOD BLESS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Howdy-Welcome Lawdog!The zx will haul ya anywhere with no problem.I'll say IMO it's the smoother of the two choices yer lookin at.Plenty of pep-for fun,and she can do the touring thing all day long.There are more options when it comes to addressing comfort issues with the 14.You can't go wrong getting the Ninja,be it for sport riding or touring.But how about a Connie 14?That's a very nice touring bike.Only thing that may not work too well with the Ninja is the leg ergos.You're 6'6"-so the peg position may be a bit tight for you over the long haul.You can get aftermarket rearsets or peg repositioning setups-BUT-they are limited as to how far you can move them-may not be enough for your big frame?Dunno-any chance you could ride a friend's for an hour or so?See how your legs feel?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/30/2009 @ 11:27 AM *

BLUE07, i appreciate it, but i don't have any friends that have 14's. They all have Suzuki's or Busas. A friend of a friend has an 07 silver 14 with Muzzy's and 6 or 7 thousand miles for $7000. I might have to jump on that one just because. Do you know any of the peg repositioners or rearsets for info purposes. I have also heard of bar risers. Have you ever used or know anyone else that uses them?

Try to ride that 14 if at all possible.You can definitely get plenty of bar options with the 14.One of em's gonna work for ya.You might look on the SATO rearset website.There's a bunch of aftermarket rearsets out there.I can't give you any opinion about those-I went with the XB Buell pegs on mine-lowered them about an inch-not much,but quite comfy anyway.You "may" be wasting your money going with Corbin peg relocator kits.I had one-took it off.Didn't like the way the rear brake master hooked back up after the install-plus they positioned the pegs out about an inch as well-wasn't comfortable for me.I installed first for the bars HELI risers.5/8ths rise.Cool-but not quite enough.(I'm 6'1").Then bought the GENMARS.Better-but not quite.THEN I installed BOTH GENMARS and HELI'S together.Gave about a 2 inch rise,maybe an inch pullback.Definitely better-BUT.....ended up going with LSL bar risers and Superbike Highbars.Now THAT's the ticket!Not for everyone though.Gave me a 7" pullback,and 4" rise.Perfecto for me.Ya-they first look a bit "strange"-not like yer clipons-that's for sure.But performance-wise-EXCELLENTE.Then to top off the whole comfort "package"(for me)....the infamous "CONNIE 14 SEAT".Voila-no more arse ache-EVER!!!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/30/2009 @ 12:43 PM *

I think I would definately like the 4" rise, but not sure about the 7" pullback. I've heard about the genmars and helis, but not the Connie 14 Seat. I will definately have to check that one out. Tired of the aching "HAMS". Very Annoying.

The LSL's have several adjustment options available-several different bar selections on their website(Spiegler).Pretty much any combo you might want.You can see,I spent "quite a bit" of cash till I found "my" setup(bars).Had I went with LSL's at first,well....the rest is as they say."history".I can't say how the Connie seat will perform for YOU.If it's your legs that are aching-that "may" not change-the peg relocation deal would be your best shot(lowering,moving back or forward)...but you're not gonna get a major change with peg positions-but some-probably enough to help that.The Connie seat WILL save yer arse from hurting though-I can say that for sure.

Nah, its not my legs that are aching, its my butt (we call 'em hams where i'm from). I understand the spending the extra money to get you happy. I'd do that in a heartbeat to be happy on something I plan on keeping for quite awhile. I meant to tell you in the last post, you have a SWEET bike. I have to admit, I like the way I feel on the 14. Especially as far as i am behind the windscreen. Not like that for me on the busa. I'm even behind the screen on my CBR 900RR. I was really surprised about that!!!

Well then....the Connie seat would be yer best friend with that."I have to admit,I like the way I feel on the 14"-there ya go...you've made yer decision!Get the 14-best of both worlds!Screens-ya-several good options for those with the 14.You know-thinking about this-I can't recall seeing ANY comfort options for the Busa!Great bike though-just not for me!!!!In all truth,I've actually never had to stop and get off my bike the way it is now to "get comfortable" again.I said once before comparing the Busa to the 14-I feel "safe" on my 14-I didn't feel that way on the Busa.But that's probably cause I went with my Kawi "instead".BTW-thanks for the KUDOS-ya-she IS a sweet bike-no plans on EVER gettin rid of er!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/30/2009 @ 1:32 PM *

I heard that!!! I appreciate everything. I think I'm gonn follow my gut and go with the 14. Its kinda hard b/c I've been riding Suzuki's since I was 15. I'm sure you know what I mean.

I personally wouldn't keep a bike I wasn't feeling good about.I feel "at one" with my zx.But that Busa's a fast bird as well!I think "first impressions" when it comes to something like this is everything.I've always had good fortune with Kawis.So I guess I was a tad biased.But at first-when choosing my "first" big sportbike-I had talked myself into "owning the Busa".(back in 2001).Suzukis are good machines-no doubt about that.I sat on that Busa and really started pumping myself up about getting it.Then I saw the zzr1200.Way different in styling-but the power was there-that's what I was after mainly.Bought the zzr-very happy with it.Then came the zx12-ya-MORE to my styling wants-yep-got that baby.THEN they HAD to bring out the 14.Geez.....what to do?Really wasn't any decision to struggle with.Without even sitting on one-I "knew" it would be "right".It was-and more!!Me happy!!!!Ya-rode my friend's 08 Busa-NO comparo to my Bluebird-really.Glad I went with my 14.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/30/2009 @ 1:52 PM *

Well Said!!!(Lawdog's DEFINITELY NOT JOE AVERAGE!!!!!!!) WHEEEEEEEE!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/30/2009 @ 1:58 PM *

I know that's rigth!! your instincts are the key

hub, i appreciate that. I did hear about the buzzing i an article, but i actually forgot about it. I'm glad you brought it up. i think with the help of you guys, i've made up my mind. zx-14 it is.

If ya don't like er...you can always trade(down)to the Busa JK!!!!(not really)

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/30/2009 @ 2:27 PM *

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I LKIE THAT!!!!!

LIKE RATHER

I'm 6'2" and only about 180 lbs now. I have a long body, short arms and legs. I got a cramp on the backs of my thighs when I first started riding the 14. That was after about 2 hours of riding the highway though. I guess my legs got used to it. I also own an 08 busa and as far as comfort, there is a little more leg stretch on the busa but a bit more of a reach to the grips, too. Harder on my back, easier on the legs. The thing I don't care for comfortwise is the hump on the busa. I can't slide my butt back any farther when I tuck so my face ends up in the windscreen. The 14 has a more open windscreen and you have a little leeway with sliding past the seat cowl an inch or more if you need to.

The 14's seat is thicker but it is also wider which makes you put your feet a little wider apart when you come to a stop. This makes the 14's seat feel higher because you have to stand lower. Maybe an aftermarket seat would be a comfort improvement. Pay attention to how the seats feel when you do your test sit.

I haven't found the vibes unpleasant on either bike. My 14's seat cowl used to vibrate around 3500 - 4000 rpm until I stuck some foam weatherstripping under it. The busa vibes at idle and low, take off rpm but there is no vibe at riding speed. It is a smoother running motor -- at least mine is. The busa seems like a more refined machine with more thought put into details. IMO, the busa is higher quality as far as parts goes. The busa is more frills like thick scraper pegs, thicker shift/rear brake levers, one piece/side fairing, excellent heat deflectors....little details like that are not adressed on the 14. The 14 seems to have the quality where it counts the most though.

The 14's brakes are going to work better for a big guy like you, I'm sure. The busa's would probably be okay but you would be on them hard all the time I think.

My 14 feels like the midrange power is a little stronger than the busa. The busa feels more at ease at high rpm than the 14. Peak rpm, I can't say which one is stronger even though the busa is supposed to have 8 hp on us.

The 14 is a little easier to do routine maintainance. Fairing removal is a course all in itself on the busa.

The busa turns in easier if you ask me. I don't yet know if i will actually corner as hard with it but it sure does bank in easier and more surely than the 14.

You can buy either one with confidence. Never, ever worry that the one you bought is a little slower. There is no slower. The busa doesn't wheallie like they like to say it does - that's all a bunch of propaganda. I've done the test and i can tell everyone, they are equal in performance. I can tell by now that i will not get any faster on either one. Straightline, dead even without having a clock to time me precisely. Super tight corners, both have slipped in back in the colder weather on the stock tires.

Go with the one that looks best to you. The 14 is more of a renegade in looks and ride and the busa is more gentlemanly. I love them both but the 14 is my fav.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/30/2009 @ 9:06 PM *

Here were my initial impressions, lawdog. I think they're pretty much still the way i feel but the 14 seems to be shifting smoother now. Closer to the busa. I don't know why but it seemed to correspond to the exact time i put the full system on the 14.

http://www.zx14ninjaforums.com/messages.cfm?threadid=E990E085-1372-66AE-3B8A99DE03A1957A

One more comfort issue-- if you can't take the heat, don't go with the 14 if you are doing stop and go. The busa takes a lot longer to warm up in the morning but it runs cooler. I hear of people complaining of heat off the busa too though. The 4-2-1 with ceramic coating seemed like it may have eliminated a lot of the heat from the 14 but i won't know for sure until summer weather comes back.

6'3"(and shrinking),230 lbs(and growing) with long torso and short legs and a pinched nerve in my lower neck courtesy of an asshole in a cage. Rode both the Busa and the 14 before buying. The Busa felt like it was made for the oposite body type from me, ie long legs, short torso. I don't really like being stretched out like I'm on a literbike anymore and the 14 was just a little more upright so the neck and wrists are happy. On the other hand, Wifey no likey. She's always bugging me to get another ZRX. She's tall and long legged. Poor me.

Perfect fit, but man this is one subjective question. Spend as much time as you can on both. And buy a 14.

Thanks JayFell! I know what you mean, but its hard for me to try and make a decision just by sitting on it. When I'm sitting on my CBR I'm comfortable, its when I ride a long distance that my hams start to ache. Is it a liability for dealerships to let potential customers test ride bikes, or just don't do it for the tire-kickers out there? Also, do dealers where you're from let u testr ride them, or did you ride. A friends? Rook. Thanks. It helps a lot coming from someone that owns both. I see I still have a lot of sittin on each bike to do!!!

lawdog, I'm 6'3" and 350lbs, with a 34" inseam. The zx14 is a little cramped after a while, but I've put 400 mi days on it. The seat is a mandatory replacement for guys like us. I hear good things about the Connie 14 seat, but lots of people go Corbin or Seargent(?) and rave about them. I went 10K on my VTX1800 and the stock seat, finally got an Ultimate Seat and was kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Seems like no matter the bike, they all need tweaking for a specific rider's comfort.

Cost wise, Connie vs zx14, the difference you save buying a 14 will buy a lot of comfort.

IMHO, with a new seat, the zx14 is probably the most comfortable sport bike out there.