Hello,

I will probably end up purchasing a pre-owned 2012 ZX14R soon, but I want to consider all my options.
Did anyone check out the BMW S1000RR? If so, curious why did you choose the ZX14R over the BMW? Anyone have the opportunity to ride them both?

I had an ’06 ZX14 and thought it was great bike. The ergos on the 2012 ZX14R are a bit more sporty, but still comfortable to me. I haven’t had an opportunity to sit on the BMW…maybe this weekend. I have no intention of going to the track, just street riding…

THANKS

p.s. I know the BMW is a contender for the liter bikes, but I'm sure it must have caught the attention of others on this forum.

* Last updated by: phatjoe on 1/3/2013 @ 9:34 AM *

Depends what you really want from a bike I guess. After years of 'sports bikes' (sold my 1198SP last year) I decided I wanted speed, acceleration, decent handling AND comfort/good ergonomics. Each to their own choice of course but,IMO, the litre sportsbikes of the last few years have become too just hardcore and track focused for regular and long distance road use so I never even considered a 1000RR. Maybe I'm becoming a bit of a wuss in my old age but for me the litre sportys are just too much like hard work. The 14R is the best allround road bike I've had in years.

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 1/3/2013 @ 10:09 AM *

I was seriously going to buy a 1000RR, but for the amount of riding and type of riding I do, I couldn't justify the extra $4000=$5000 or the extra money to maintain it, I didn't like that you have to take it to the shop after 600 miles or whatever it is, and have the speed limiter electronically removed, which some people say is part to the first service that runs anywhere from $180-$250.

Also I am older with a lot of medical issues, so the 14 is more comfortable for rides, don't get me wrong, the 1000 is a great bike, and if I was rich, I would have one also for short rides, but I am not rich, so the 14 it was/is

If I could afford a second bike,it'd be a S1000RR, without questoin.

But my first choice is the 14R, obviously.

Thanks for responses. I had the opportunity to sit on both the zx14r and zx10r. The 10 was much more hunched over than the 14. I'm thinking the s1000rr will probably be very much like the 10. I should have time this weekend to check it out.

* Last updated by: phatjoe on 1/4/2013 @ 7:19 AM *

Actually the 1000RR seemed a little better comfort wise than the 10R, but maybe that was just my impression ....

^^^^Nope you're right the S'thou is more comfy than the ZX10. I put it right there with the CBR and the GXSR.

Rode the beemer at Barber for 2 days at the Keith Code School. Great track bike but it can't touch the 14R on the street. I've ridden the new 10r, an 08 CBR 1000, 09 GSXR 1000, and the Beemer and they all felt weak/timid compared to the torque-happy Ninja. The Ninja hits hard at 5K rpms. The liters need to be in the 9s or 10s to feel alive. Every guy that rides my 14R says the same thing. It's a near perfect street bike and they can't believe how hard it accelerates and how well it handles for a big bike. And it's a ton more comfortable than the liters. Install helibar risers and Buell footpegs and you have a "Hyper" Sport Tourer that handles like a sportbike. I could never own a liter bike for the street after riding a 14. The bike is so much fun to ride all day long.

* Last updated by: CurveKilla on 1/3/2013 @ 9:02 PM *

I have both, the 14r is hands down my favorite.

"ninjavin"...you have both!!....you are one lucky dude...I'm a little jealous.
Thanks everyone for the input.

CurveKilla, know of a good place to get the buell footpegs ? Thanks

ninjavin is livin large!

WOW.

Been there..done that.. and bought the shirt.

* Last updated by: SparkyG on 4/6/2013 @ 9:22 AM *

Loved my CBR954RR for 10 years and 30,000 miles. But six months into it, I'm easily (with comfort!!, doubling the mileage rate that accrued with my old "fast" bike. Must admit, I don't try and get a knee down on the street (stupid!) or do track days (probably smart fun if you can swing it)- liter bikes would rule in these regimes. However, IMHO, as much as I loved the old Fireblade, which was probably significantly more comfortable than the stock BMW the way I had it setup, the 14R delivers a quantum leap in overall usefulness and enjoyment.

Got torque and lotsa balls comfort?

A S1000RR owner on another sportbike site said his bike was every bit as fast as the 14R in a drag race. THe smaller and more agile S1000Rr is obviously the better track and cornering bike, but top speed and drag racing........The 14R is king from what I've read.

.......but given the S1000RR's 100 pound lower weight and the fact that it puts out almost as much power as the 14R, it must be more of a threat to the 14R than even the Hayabusa..........

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 1/4/2013 @ 6:01 PM *

@carabuser..

I rode a friend's bike with the Buell pegs. They are definitely lower than stock. He got his Buell pegs from a local Harley dealer. He said make sure you get the Ulysses pegs.

I love them both but guess where I differ is that the S1000RR is quite a lot more fun to ride than my 14R. It also is EVERY bit as fast if not faster, plus it handles. Getting off one and on another really demonstrates the precision or lack thereof regardling handling.

Two TOTALLY different bikes. Traded my S1000RR for the 14R and haven't looked back. My 2012 10R is a good replacement for the S1000RR. If you don't want a hard edged sportbike, forget about the BMW. My '09 CBR1000RR was WAY ahead in overall street useability. Better suspension and way more comfy. Track bike - BMW. Real world and long rides - something else.

Ninjavin:

What is that curious transport next to the 14, in your picture? I dont mean the Beemer, 'course...

What is that??

* Last updated by: mebgardner on 2/14/2013 @ 4:43 PM *

"I love them both but guess where I differ is that the S1000RR is quite a lot more fun to ride than my 14R. It also is EVERY bit as fast if not faster, plus it handles. Getting off one and on another really demonstrates the precision or lack thereof regardling handling."

How many miles can you ride the Beemer comfortably and enjoyably in one day?

How many miles can you ride the Beemer comfortably and enjoyably in one day?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I do ride the S1000RR, just about every Sunday morning, a minimum of 200 miles. I have never come back feeling anywhere close to wiped out. There is no question I could easily do 500 miles days on it. With all these bikes they are nothing more than 140 miles jaunts before a stop, leg stretch, fill up and off you go. That isn't to say everyone feels the same way. I hear people talking about the S1000RR being the more comfortable of the current crop of liter bikes. I'm not sure where they get that, other than the psychological aspect of the BMW brand. In reality the BMW is a hard edged race bike, with aggressive ergo's and race triangle/bar/peg position, fairly firm suspenstion regardless of how you set it up, but IMO rides like nothing else in terms of handling and sheer exhileraton. I would never tell anyone to buy this bike as a tourer, but I wouldn't suggest any liter for that purpose. It's really a matter of your tolerance. I just simply don't find race bikes uncomfortable AT ALL, once you get them out of the stop light to stop light mess. But nothing is fun to ride in that environment IMO. Was the ZX-14R more comfortable? Yes, I guess I'd say that, but again, for me it wasn't nearly as fun to ride once you got past the thrill of accleration. I'm different though, I guess, cause I find my Triumph Street TripleR to be more of a fun MC experience than the big Ninja. Wonderful wonderful bikes. In a class all their own, but not for me.

I am still amazed by a 1000 cc bike putting out so much power.

And the new HP4, being a higher performance version of the RR must be quite a beast in its own right. I'd love to ride one, to say the absolute least.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 2/15/2013 @ 9:34 PM *

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 2/15/2013 @ 9:30 PM *

It's a 2011 5.0 Mustang. Added a new bike to the stable, 2012 WGP 50th R1. In stock form I have to say it sux but I have a bunch of mods coming for it including an exhaust and ecu reflash which will wake this bike up bigtime. I think the beemer is giving the new guy the evil eye in the pic.

* Last updated by: ninjavin on 2/16/2013 @ 12:58 AM *

That is two guys.............Jagman and Ninhavin BOTH have both a 14R AND a S1000RR in their garages.
I guess my choice for second bike is more popular than I first thought.

As I said in another thread, I test rode the *RR* last week, and was really impressed, to say the least. Very agile and quick as hell. The scream of that engine winding out,combined with the sheer acceleration, and the psycholocial aspect of knowing you are on the cream of the crop, a BMW........its quite a rush.

The RR is obviously not as smooth of a ride, nor nearly as comfortable of a riding position, but what a serious, fast as greased lightning bike the RR is. You gotta ride one for yourself to realized how quick it is.

I didn't ride it long enough to see the potential the new suspension and traction control electronic features. I was impressed enough with just the combination of power and low weight.

I certainly want one, but at this point, I can't justify getting one, just yet. Maybe if I get a new job that pays pretty well, I'll rethink it. But my 14R is paid off, as is my car, and I can't see a second street bike being worth the monthly payment...........Not just yet, anyway.

That's how I see it right now, anyway. That is obviously subject to change.....LOL

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 3/18/2013 @ 6:20 PM *