So I've been on my 14 for about 2.5 years now and I love it. The power and thrust never ceases to put a smile on my face. Personally though I love the twisties. This past weekend I had the opportunity to ride my buddies 2013 ZX-10 through some corners. I've ridden the new 10s before on Kawi Demo Days but never really got to get in it and lean with some speed. I have to say that the 10 blew me away. I felt so much more comfortable coming into a turn and getting on the gas all the way through it. It was as if the bike wanted me to crack the throttle and keep pouring it on! The suspension felt much harder and had way less bounce than the 14. This made me feel more connected to the bike and the road. My 14 seems to bounce way too much in corners. I only realized this after cornering on the 10.

My question is, what made it so comfortable for me? Was it the lighter bike? Was it the stiffer suspension? Was it the riding position? I am 245lbs 6'0 and I have had my suspension done a few times at the track. But so far I've not experienced the confidence that I felt in a corner as I did on the 10. Im actually considering selling the 14 and buying a new 10 or buying a used R1 and keeping my 2010 ZX14 or upgrading the suspension on the 14. If spending a little money on the 14's suspension will get me even 1/2 the way to what I felt on that 10 I think thats the route I'd go. If its just the size and weight of the bike, I think Im going to get a used 2005 R1. If its just the greatness of the 2013 ZX-10 then I may have to say goodbye to the 14. I do NOT want to get rid of my 14. I will never get over the raw thrust of the 14.

What do you guys think?

* Last updated by: retsam on 8/19/2013 @ 4:42 PM *

I have the same problem. We are almost exactly the same size ,however I noticed this problem right after purchasing my 2012 zx14r. I didn't notice it at the demo day because we were never able to get up to pace which made the 14 seem way more comfortable than the 10.At pace the 14 wallows through the turns. I have a 2008 cbr1000rr that I ride on the track. It has Ohlins suspension front and back and handles like a dream, but I worry the same set up may be a little to stiff for the street. I wouldn't worry so much if it didn't cost $2800. I love every thing about the 14 except the suspension but $2800 makes me wonder if I shouldn't buy a 1000. The CBR was really good stock. Who knows? Most people don't have a problem with how the 14 handles. If you figure it out let me know.

Was it the lighter bike? Was it the stiffer suspension?

I would PM DogoZX and ask him how much his top notch aftermarket suspensions improved the 14 for cornering compared to a liter bike. I'll bet he'll tell you that suspension upgrade makes a big difference but not nearly as much as a whole bike designed for cornering.

I have found the light weight wheels I run make my 14 respond to steering and weight shifting a lot better but they do not interact with the power delivery in a corner as surely as the heavy OEM wheels did. So there is a case of making a big bike more like a small bike....you can only get so much and then there is a price to pay for half the advantage you would have if it was just a smaller bike in the first place. I would bet it goes the same with suspension upgrades.

The 14 can't corner as sharp as a liter bike without scraping hard parts. A literbike will never scrape anything unless it crashes. That should tell you all you need to know.

I think your idea of going to a smaller n=bike designed for track use is best. Hope you can keep the 14. I'd never give mine up but love to have a 600 for all out cornering.

Another thing...you will never ride as hard on the street as you would a track and for that you will want the smaller bike. It can be a bit depressing to have so much and not be able to use it.

I have an 09 14, 12 14R and 11 Gen4 ZX10. I'm about your size and agree with your initial take on the Gen4 10.
It's really a track bike (especially with the TTX rear shock) that has been made streetable by Kawasaki. The
connection that the rider has to the bike is much more intense than the 14's. The TTX, exhaust and flash on the
10 all further this difference in feel over the 14's. For 3 or 4 hours (for me at least) it's a very immediate and
satisfying ride. The riding position, to me, is great for a track bike, less so for sustained street riding.

The Gen2 14 with exhaust, flash and fueling, however, is by far the best street bike that I have ever owned. It is in a class of its own. The stock suspension is stiffer than the 09 and the torque, power and connection I have to the bike are very much improved relative to my 09 Gen1. Don't get me wrong, the 09 is used as much or more than the other two - it's still a great bike, just not as sharp as the latest Kawi's. I think it would be a mistake to go to the 10 over the 14, especially if you could try a modded Gen2 14. The 10 is not the do it all bike that the 14 has always been, and the new Gen2 14 even more so.

* Last updated by: bluestar on 8/20/2013 @ 10:30 PM *

Blue, you have given me even more to think about now! I didnt even consider getting a next gen 14! Riding that '13 ZX-10 has been haunting me.

Retsam--I have an 2007 14, I felt the same as you. I could not get my bike to settle through the whole corner. Last year I installed ohlins front forks and rear shock. Once I got the sag set right and got them dialed in the bike handles so much better, I ride with the same guys as before and went from barely hanging with them to being able to out corner them. It is without a doubt the best upgrade you can do to your bike.
I dealt with Dan Kyle racing and they were a great help and easy to deal with. You can also send your stuff out and have them revalved / resprung and that will save you some money. I went with Ohlins thinking that someday when I sell my bike I can return it to stock and sell off the Ohlins stuff. Fact is now that I got my suspension figured out I can't imagine selling my bike. I had a GSXR 1000 prior to my 14 and sure it handled better but that's about it.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do, but if you crave the high speed stuff make sure you get yourself the best equipment you can afford.

WFOXZX14: It's good to hear from someone who has the same set up as I would like to have. I talked with traxxion dynamics yesterday and he quoted me $925 to re spring and valve the front and rear oem equipment. That would definitely be cheaper but I don't have any experience with them? I know I could always sell the ohlins, but the initial cost is hard for me to justify.

gnikb I wouldn't hesitate to use Traxxion for the front forks, but the ohlins shock with the remote preload adjuster is hard to beat. I ride with a couple of guys who had Traxxion rebuild there forks and they love them.

Wfozx14: Maybe I'll go that route. Last year ohlins had some pretty good deals in the fall. With the bad economy maybe they will do it again this year. Thanks for the info.

wfozx14: Thanks for the info! I might give this a try but I still think Im going to get myself a liter bike as well. How difficult is it to get the forks and the rear shock off? I am guessing I will need a head lift stand to get the forks off. Im actually pretty excited to try this. I cant imagine how cool the 14 is going to be when its more settled in the corners. And then all that thrust once I get to the apex! WOO HOO!

what weight Springs and oil do you guys recommend from traction dynamics? what are the stock springs and oil?

* Last updated by: douglasjre on 9/14/2013 @ 9:42 PM *