Well guys, it's been a year since I sold my 2006 ZX-14 (blue) and I am soooo ready to come back. Just sold the Suzuki and I am itching to pull the trigger on another 14.

Here's my question: Which way would you guys go with the following 2 choices I have currently:

2006 Red - 2790 miles / Scorpion Slip-ons / Stock exhaust included / heli-bar risers / mag-knight tank protector / center stand / service manual / fresh rear tire (dual compound) - $6700.00

2008 Blue - 722 miles / Stone Stock / - $7500.00

The red has everything already on it but the blue I will have to dig in the pocket a little more than I'd like to get the add ons.

Is it worth it? What say you that have ridden both? I've done 10k on an '06 but never ridden an '08.

Thanks,

Jack

I'd shop around until I find the bike that I really want
and there's many used to choose from for dirt cheap.

Where do you live? There are a few really nice bikes in my local listings.

I'm in NC.

I wouldn't buy the 06 14, not for that price anyway.
The blue 08 is practically a brand new bike with that mileage,
is it through a dealer with warranty or a private listing?
Either way I'd try to knock a few $$$ off.
There will be even more dirt cheap bikes for sale in the snow winter states,
give it a month and price shopping should be even better IMHO.

btw Welcome back!

Go with a second gen. Some updates and some problems solved. Welcome back.

I agree go for the second Gen.... offer him $7000 drive away with it at $7200 or $7300..... what is that an extra few payments, might still have warranty too you never know!!! Clean slate if you are into mods to do what you want!!!

Both are about $1000 less than blue book. I would want to upgrade to a full system, on the 06. The tank protector and tire are great but the helis and center stand are extra weight.

The 06 has a few more hp on top and it is several pounds liter. I would check 1/4 mile times to determine if there is a dif in performance. So far, have heard of no crank shaft bearings spinning on a G2.

Heli bars weigh about 3 oz. Not enough to make a difference in my book! I'm sure the center stand is a boat anchor though.

Does the 06 have mods you'll be leaving on the bike? Or will you be pulling them off for you'r own stuff anyways? If you're going to be doing a full system and dumping the centerstand...those extras are really worthless to you. I do have to say tho that the scorpions I had on my 06 made a VERY nice diff in performance all through the rev range. If I didn't come across the killer turbo deal the scorps woulda stayed on there lol. Either bikes an awesome buy,but you'll be getting a clean sheet to work with on the 08 if thats what you want. And if you like the mods on the 06 you'll get a modded,ready to ride kick-ass 14

JMBJ,

Why did or are you leaving the Suzu bikes?

get the 08

Wait... you will be glad you did.

Does the 06 have mods you'll be leaving on the bike? Or will you be pulling them off for you'r own stuff anyways? If you're going to be doing a full system and dumping the centerstand...those extras are really worthless to you. I do have to say tho that the scorpions I had on my 06 made a VERY nice diff in performance all through the rev range. If I didn't come across the killer turbo deal the scorps woulda stayed on there lol. Either bikes an awesome buy,but you'll be getting a clean sheet to work with on the 08 if thats what you want. And if you like the mods on the 06 you'll get a modded,ready to ride kick-ass 14

Yes the '06 mods would definitely stay. In fact the heli bar risers and center stand are two that I definitely like. In fact on the '06, the only thing I could think I might do would be pull the flys and a PC.

Why did or are you leaving the Suzu bikes?

At 6'3" and pushing 300lbs, I just haven't found anything more comfortable with the kind of power that the 14 has. The Busa is just not as comfortable for my size and the Bandit 1250 which I made into a tourer while being a great all around bike just didn't excite my soul!

Wait... you will be glad you did.

Any particular suggestions on what to wait for?

And by the way, I thought both of these prices, which are not asking prices but already negotiated buy prices were pretty good.

The '06 is just a little more than I thought but it does have all the mods I would do already done and I've yet to find an '08 cheaper.

I have found some '06's cheaper but they either have a lot more miles, some minor drop damage, no mods, etc.

buy the 08 the resale wil be better for you down the road if/when you decide to sell it. plus the factory improvments done since 06 that sapphire blue is a sharp color i had to choose between it and the se

I look at it this way... the 08 will cost you an additional $800 + $800 +/- for exhaust + $70 heli + $180+/- center stand, PC III $250 +/-, so estimated $2,100 for the 08. I'm not sure on how much depreciation are on bikes, but getting a bike w/ mods saves alot of money $$$$!

* Last updated by: Tuneit on 12/8/2009 @ 5:36 AM *

Wait... you will be glad you did.

Any particular suggestions on what to wait for?

My feeling is that prices will tend to stay up on used bikes with the new ones being so high. Also, I doubt there will be any significant updates for a few years. Depending on where you live, the weather sucks now so that is more to your advantage in buying. I don't see a reason to wait.

My feeling is that prices will tend to stay up on used bikes with the new ones being so high. Also, I doubt there will be any significant updates for a few years. Depending on where you live, the weather sucks now so that is more to your advantage in buying. I don't see a reason to wait.

I tend to agree with you. My Suzuki actually brought a little more than I thought it would but I believe it is due to the fact that the new models have jumped a 1000 to 1500 in price.

* Last updated by: JMBJ on 12/8/2009 @ 8:26 AM *

Has anyone mentioned the frame issues (recall) on the G1's?? Or how bout the Rod issues some of our members have had??? Not too say that all of them had bad frames or rod's but I would at least consider that when buying.... if the frames been checked then you are good!! I wud still recommend the G2....

* Last updated by: Fuzz4141 on 12/8/2009 @ 12:04 PM *

Get the vin for the 2006 and run it http://www.kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame.aspx?strContentURL=/site/VIVehicleInformation/VIChooseVehicle.asp?intCatalogID=2&intParts=0 so you will know. It will also tell you if the bike has the Good Times Protection Plan.

Well thanks for all the input guys, I went with the '08 Blue. Picked it up late today. Feels good to be back on the 14. Noticed 2 things right away. Quieter engine and more low torque than my '06. I am very pleased!

Congrats on the new bike JMBJ..... Santa may bring you some nice new shiny pipes.

Great choice!!!

Thanks guys! So far I am very pleased. I'm not sure if its becaused I've been off of a 14 for a year of if the '08 updates but this thing feels like even more of a rocket than my '06 did!

COOL! Congrats on the new bike. I'd grab a Brock's CT shortmeg single while they are still on sale.