Ok guys here's my question I have 10,000 miles on my factory suspension. About 12,000 miles before that I resprong the front and rear and did new Penske valving. Well it's time to do it again and just like last time I'm drooling over the Olines stuff. But the thing is I was considering buying a 14R after this summer. So if I'm going that route a rebuild of what i have is all I need. But if I don't go with the 14R do you think the factory stuff is as good as the olines now that its revalued and sprung? Im not sure there is that much of a change from what I have to the 14R after all my mods. I would love the TC & ABS but other than that I don't see the 14R if I still love my bike. Maybe a second bike like a Duck street fighter.

* Last updated by: Somefun on 12/30/2012 @ 8:23 PM *

10-12K is awfully short time on factory suspension, much less high-end aftermarket stuff. What makes you think it needs replacing?

"I would love the TC & ABS but other than that I don't see the 14R if I still love my bike. Maybe a second bike like a monster?"...have you ridden a 14R?....I mean...really ridden one.

Danno the fork oil is running down the legs. It's time for sure....

GRN I have never rode one but with my mods I'm lighter and have the same or better power. So tell me what is the deal then? Other than the TC , ABS and slipper clutch I see the same basic bike. Don't get me wrong I love it but I may be better off just up grading my bike with Olines. Tell me what's better? Then I would ask what mods you had on your old 14?

* Last updated by: Somefun on 12/30/2012 @ 8:15 PM *

If you have a nick or scratch on the chrome legs, that will have to be addressed, but if it's just a blown seal, as sometimes happens when the bike is trailered with the suspension compressed, it's a fairly easy fix.

Yup....Audio's right...if she's a screamer and runs fine....keep er.I've not ridden a modded 14 like you have...or some of the guys here...so I can't really say.My 14 was pretty much stock...Tiforce slip-ons...PCIIIwith a good map...16/43 gearing....4 degree timing advance.No secondaries.Suspension...stock.Settings...'firm'(somewhat).My 14R ran circles around it in every way...that's all I can really say.It may 'appear' to be 'the same bike'....performance and rideability wise...I'd have to say...no...not the same.Stock.How much different than a modded 14 like you have?I really don't know.The factory HP figures show right around 197...right in there.Torque...not sure..but more than a stock 14.There are a lot of 'on tap' reserves in the new 14R....it can become a real firebreather if ya go that route.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/31/2012 @ 4:33 PM *

I hink he said it had 225HP.Mine has 175 down at least 25 with the same mods on a ZX-14R.But with my gearing it pulls real hard.I was thinking of a Supersport head and throttle bodies for maybe 200-210 HP.
Craig

First off: Happy New Year Guys
I rode on the factory suspension for about 12k miles and switched to Ohlins internal up front and rear shock. I'm at 22k miles hope the suspensions hold up.
Somefun, I had this discussion with Dogo and he told me that the only advantage for having the Ohlins fork is that they bend and absorb bumps, braking and acceleration better than stock. However, he added that only pros could push the suspensions to that threshold. I would say that in my opinion, even if one could do that, the ZX-14 wouldn't allow it because of its clearance and weight issue. It is not a super bike. When I was talking to Dogo, I assumed he had a 25mm cartridge kit in his Ohlins fork. If you can find some Ohlins forks that take a 30mm cartridge, I would strongly advice you to upgrade if not rebuild. The 14 is heavy and even though the difference between my set up and stock is night and day, I often find myself wishing I could go up to a 30mm cartridge kit with the stock fork. The funny thing being that, upgrades are a vicious circle but from you signature I cam tell you know lol You upgrade one part of the bike means that you "downgrade" another part. You will be able to go faster and probably start thinking about getting Brembo calipers and master cylinders. They'll go well with the Galfer rotors... just saying lol

NeilP said the $300 Ohlins fork piston kit has made his 14R's front end more compliant and supple. I doubt if they had any effect on fork flex since they were put into a stock fork. The primary purpose of suspension is to keep the tires in contact with the pavement and the secondary purpose is to make the ride comfortable enough not to wear the rider out holding on. Ben Spies had some interesting things to say about the differences between his and Lorenzo's suspension settings-Spies prefers it set up towards the hard end of adjustment with respect to damping and springing, but Lorenzo likes it softer. If your inputs are smoother, softer is better because it doesn't beat you to death, but it has to be stiff enough for control. Their electronic data showed Spies braking later, but Lorenzo going marginally faster, mostly due to super-smooth inputs on the brakes and throttle and front suspension compression helping to make it turn quicker because of what it does to geometry. I personally prefer mine to be on the hard side of wallowy and am trying to smooth out my control inputs. A more physical riding style would probably dictate stiffer settings. I think some Ohlins stuff would allow me to run a little softer without sacrificing any control.

Yeah, the flex I was referring is proprietary to the Ohlins fork, not the kit. After my upgrade, I was able to have a stiffer suspension settings while having better shock absorption. I like it stiffer myself, but I think I could get away with making my shock a little less firm. I guess I'll schedule an appointment for the suspension doctor for early spring.

I think some Ohlins stuff would allow me to run a little softer without sacrificing any control.

Thanks guys all great information for sure. I have the left tube leaking real good. I'm sure the wheelies didn't helpl but they are SO much damn fun I can't help but lift the front end up every chance I get. I had the front and rear done a while ago by Race Tec. They messed up on the front valving so when I was at the track I have the suspension tuner go through and install Penske valves. What a big difference it was. I mean I was out there doing laps thinking I was going good but after the change I was ripping. It felt way for planted and responsive. I was scraping my fairings and my Muzzy pipe and I was loving it! I'm a mod aoholic for sure! But admitting it is the first step right? Hahaha. Yeah I think I my look around at the NY motorcycle show and see what's out there. If I send them out it will be about a grand I think so maybe I'm better off with the Olines. I ride hard for sure and absolutely love the track days with the 14. People are amazed with me bringing the bike to the track as I walk by a guy decked out in white leathers at about 1200.00 on a new 1198! Lol My baby puts down 206 at the rear tire so I would think that's about 220 or so at the crank. With the Super Sport head, degreeing the cams, slight bump in compression and the 47mm throttle bodies she's as reliable as stock but pull like you can believe. On the top speed run while I was in fourth wide open somewhere around 10,000 rpms I hit a little bump on the runway and the front wheel came up like 3 or 4" and I just keep it pinned and carried the wheel! Man what a feeling

* Last updated by: Somefun on 1/3/2013 @ 2:51 PM *

Thanks guys all great information for sure. I have the left tube leaking real good. I'm sure the wheelies didn't helpl but they are SO much damn fun I can't help but lift the front end up every chance I get. I had the front and rear done a while ago by Race Tec. They messed up on the front valving so when I was at the track I have the suspension tuner go through and install Penske valves. What a big difference it was. I mean I was out there doing laps thinking I was going good but after the change I was ripping. It felt way for planted and responsive. I was scraping my fairings and my Muzzy pipe and I was loving it! I'm a mod aoholic for sure! But admitting it is the first step right? Hahaha. Yeah I think I my look around at the NY motorcycle show and see what's out there. If I send them out it will be about a grand I think so maybe I'm better off with the Olines. I ride hard for sure and absolutely love the track days with the 14. People are amazed with me bringing the bike to the track as I walk by a guy decked out in white leathers at about 1200.00 on a new 1198! Lol My baby puts down 206 at the rear tire so I would think that's about 220 or so at the tire. With the Super Sport head, degreeing the cams, slight bump in compression and the 47mm throttle bodies she's as reliable as stock but pull like you can believe. On the top speed run while I was in fourth wide open somewhere around 10,000 rpms I hit a little bump on the runway and the front wheel came up like 3 or 4" and I just keep it pinned and carried the wheel! Man what a feeling

Thanks guys all great information for sure. I have the left tube leaking real good. I'm sure the wheelies didn't helpl but they are SO much damn fun I can't help but lift the front end up every chance I get. I had the front and rear done a while ago by Race Tec. They messed up on the front valving so when I was at the track I have the suspension tuner go through and install Penske valves. What a big difference it was. I mean I was out there doing laps thinking I was going good but after the change I was ripping. It felt way for planted and responsive. I was scraping my fairings and my Muzzy pipe and I was loving it! I'm a mod aoholic for sure! But admitting it is the first step right? Hahaha. Yeah I think I my look around at the NY motorcycle show and see what's out there. If I send them out it will be about a grand I think so maybe I'm better off with the Olines. I ride hard for sure and absolutely love the track days with the 14. People are amazed with me bringing the bike to the track as I walk by a guy decked out in white leathers at about 1200.00 on a new 1198! Lol My baby puts down 206 at the rear tire so I would think that's about 220 or so at the tire. With the Super Sport head, degreeing the cams, slight bump in compression and the 47mm throttle bodies she's as reliable as stock but pull like you can believe. On the top speed run while I was in fourth wide open somewhere around 10,000 rpms I hit a little bump on the runway and the front wheel came up like 3 or 4" and I just keep it pinned and carried the wheel! Man what a feeling

if it's going to cost you that much get the Ohlins forks and if you have extra $$ add the shock I found one in the low $900 new on ebay and my suspension guy matched it.
You make me wanna get some work done on the 14. Probably after I pay my second bike off. I see some light wheels in the future as well. How bad were you scratching the fairing on the track? I will probably install my old set of lowers when I head over there!

Drag I had some pretty good scratches but not horrible. I like them like a badge of honor! Lol I will have to look around and see if I can find some some out there. I'm real happy with the mods just enough and I didn't sacrifice any reliability.

Hell I'd say with the upgrades you have already...why change to a 14R?It sounds to me like your bike is very proficient in every way.Now if you did those same type of mods to a 14R...God knows WHAT you'd have at the end of the day...but sounds like your bike is plenty now and well balanced for real fun street/track riding...I'd keep er and just enjoy!You've covered about every mod you can without making her unrideable!

I can't imagine how a 14R would perform with the mods you now have...or similar."almost" stock was plenty for me,I'll tell ya that.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/1/2013 @ 9:30 PM *

I'm real happy with the mods just enough and I didn't sacrifice any reliability.

Well I talked to my Suspension guy and he said he would only charge me $300.00 for doing the front and the rear so I guess i'll send them out and let him do what he needs to do.

Here's a few photo's of my girl after I stripped her!!!!

Very nice! Now I feel guilty and need to go out and clean/organize my garage.

* Last updated by: blacklightning on 1/3/2013 @ 4:27 PM *

Just curious as to what part of the bike the rear straps are connected to?

Best of luck with the upgrades.

Have suspension work to do this winter myself. Rear shock is easy - Ohlins with remote preload. Front forks - not so easy. Lotsa choices.

* Last updated by: tbolt on 1/7/2013 @ 5:40 PM *

I have them hooked to the rear passenger peg brackets. Done it many times works great!

Your bike looks awesome Somefun...really good looking;)Happy for ya with yer suspension deal goin on.

Thanks Grn14 I really love this bike. I think some times of replacing it but I have yet to see any bike that can do all the things these 14's do. Weather it be a track day, top speed deal or a 800 plus ride or just 10 mins to work these ladies are awesome!

Mama Kaw would be proud;)!!!!!!