My son is 18 and he has been riding a Ninja 650 since he was 15 years old. I ride a Concourse and we are not speed demons by no means but I want him on a bike with a larger motor so that he can keep away from Prius's and Cadillac's.

I could purchase a new current model or a brand new 2012 for $4000 off. Which should I buy? The bike we will keep forever so I'm not concerned with resale value. Is the later model better or have extra features over a 2012 that are worthy of $4k?

What are the common accessories/modifications people do to a ZX-14? The bike has more than enough power for him so we wont modify the engine. What's in style now? Frame sliders, move the rear tire back further, different wind screen, exhaust, seats, wheels, GPS mount? I'd like to customize it a little for before I give it to him.

We ride in Virginia and we are not very aggressive riders. Lots of highway driving. What tires last the longest for this bike?

Eric
ROK Member
COG Member

I also would like to figure out a way to carry a lacrosse stick on a ZX-14. Any ideas?

You need to ride a 14 before you give an 18 year old one. I get good milage out of PR2's & 3's

Agreed, not doubting that your son can ride but they have more power than most people think. also, I always rode slower when i rode with my dad and still do but when its me or my buds ill get a little more ballsy. On the subject you actuallu posted about though....i have a 2011 model so im not too familiar with the newer ones. never even ridden one. sorry

Will you adopt me?

Get the 12. There is no difference between the 12-14. Unless you want abs then ya gotta get a 13 or 14 yr model. These beasts can be just as tame as your Connie. The only difference is a zx14 will scoot a lot harder and faster than your Connie is capable of. I bought a brand new 14 back in April and after riding it all summer I think any competent experienced rider can ride one without any issues. As long as your boy understands how to respect the awesome power this bike has, I see no reason why he couldn't ride one as long as insurance cost ain't an issue. The only thing I would stay away from for now is reprogramming the ecu to unrestrict it. Kawasaki restricted the low end power quite a bit so she would have nice street manners for the average skilled rider. Once you take that route you better dang well know how to handle this bike when its unrestricted, she'll be like an exotic sports car with more power than you know what to do with! I would not let him or most anybody loose on an unrestricted zx14r.

Most of the pipes out there are good, just depends on what you like and how much you're willing to spend.

I do a lot of highway riding myself. Currently I am running the Pirelelli Angle GT. Its a sport touring tire. I ride in the rain prob more often than some and I gotta say the wet traction with these are superb!!! I've gotten great millage out of them so far too. They have a pretty darn good grip for carving corners as well. I think they would be great on your Connie also.

* Last updated by: nasty on 10/12/2013 @ 12:02 PM *

I'm not sure if there are any important differences between the 2012 and a "current model"... 2013?? I'm guessing $4K off a 2012 is a good deal.
I just hope your son is able to control himself on a 14. To make the understatement of the year, it's more bike than you may imagine. Going from a 650 to the 14 is quite a jump. I've owned my '07 since new and I still don't hammer it in first or second gear because it's just not safe to do that most of the time. Things get blurry real fast. Outside of wide open spaces, I suppose you could say I ride my 14 like a 650. The 2012 makes more power than the older models too.
I'd leave any mod's up to your son. We all have our own tastes. Most people will ditch the stock exhaust and rear tail light/fender assembly for sure but I'd still let him pick. I don't know if the 2012 header has the same finish as the 2007 model, but my header was ceramic coated because it looks better and the stock finish looks like hell (like rust) after awhile in my opinion. I also think you should invest in a protective radiator screen but again, I'm not sure what the 2012/2013 models have when it comes to radiator protection, if any.
I heard the seat got more comfortable with the 2012 model. Sliders are a good idea. Hope he never needs them. Personally, I wouldn't compromise the handling by running a longer swingarm. If he wants something like that later, fine. Let him get used to the bike as is first.
You may consider something like a Ninja 1000. Nice bike I hear.

* Last updated by: KAK on 10/12/2013 @ 12:26 PM *

We don't know your son, only you know if he is ready for a real bike or not. My first bike is a 12r. However I am almost double your sons age. The beauty of the 14 is that it can cruise like a giant couch, or flat out fly. MRA touring or a double bubble windscreen.

Thanks every one for your response and input. I appreciate the concern expressed about his age and if he can handle the bike. My first bike is the Connie which he has ridden at least 10k miles of its 50k miles. I didn't like riding his 650 at all during those 10k miles. I like the larger motor of the Connie and the zx-14 because at any given speed or gear you can easily get out of harms way when needed. One thing he does knows is that he will loose the bike and his car upon receiving a ticket or getting into an accident.

KAK, The 1000 was nice, very nice, but now that he is 6 foot 2 he looks too big for the 1000. He was 5 foot 6 when I bought the 650 which fit just right back then. Thanks for the suggestion of letting him pick the mods. I was thinking that surprising him with the bike already upgraded, but now that I think about it, he would probably get a kick out of being involved picking out the mods and installing some of them.

wfozx14, If I didn't have two other boys I consider.

I was reading your post on my phone at the dealer today. I did buy the 2012. I hope the weather is good around Thanksgiving. That is when he will get his surprise and join this forum.

Thanks for the quick responses.

Eric

It's apparent you have never ridden one. This isn't just tue sportier version of your connie. Thats the same as comparing the 14 and 650.

Go ride one and make an informed decision.

The 14 is a slow moped in the right hands. The 14 is the worlds most _________ fill in the blank. I wouldn't hesitate getting the 14 as a starter bike. 3 years of riding is enough. Go for it...

The 14 is obviously a beast with more power than 99% of the people who own them know how to use, but it is also the most forgiving motorcycle I've ever ridden. The kid is 18yrs old with years of experience, I'm sure he'll have some ohshits just like we all do but he'll be fine.

All you guys have failed to mention IwasGM is one awesome f'ing dad. Are you shitting me, a zx14 as a surprise gift when you're 18. Holy shit if that don't get you a worlds greatest dad t shirt I don't know what will. Good job my fellow father, you've set the bar pretty high for the rest of us.

How is insurance looking? I would venture a guess that a policy for your son on a 14R could be a real shock.

Maybe money is no object, but it didn't sound that way from the original question you posted.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 10/12/2013 @ 6:33 PM *

I'm sure insurance will be higher but its not even close to the insurance cost of his Mustang GT Convertible. He has been a very responsible son. No tickets, no accidents and the neighbors complain that he drives too slow. They hate getting stuck behind him on the road because he drives the speed limit. His oldest brother on the other hand I would not trust on a bike or in a sports car.

So it turns out that what I thought was a 2012 is really a 2013. The dealer I used knew I wanted ABS and did not correct me when I was kept saying 2012 last week when I was in the shop. When "nasty" posted the comment that 2012 did not have ABS I called the dealer to make sure I was getting ABS then proceeded down to the shop to finalize the paperwork. I have ABS on my Connie. I tried it out on some gravel and I like the way it works.

wfozx14 Thanks for kind comments.

Good call on the ABS. That rear brake likes to lock up. This heavy bike IMO does not give a good feel on the rear brake. I've had a few 'oh shit' moments that about turned into 'oh f*ck'.

I would not get him a 14R, it's an advanced bike and when your 18 you are invincible. The 600 class bikes are not slugs by any means, but the 14 really has to be respected. You can get into trouble on any bike quickly but the 14 will hit 150+ in under 9 seconds. I remember reading an article not too long ago about a dad that bought his son an R1, needless to say the kid killed himself on it.... As a father, I can't imagine how he must feel.
Look at a "mid level" bike, not the fastest thing ever mass produced. Just my 2 cents, good luck with whatever you decide.

And you guys have failed to mention how good of a son he must have to make his dad want to give him such a mature present. You trust him, he knows the rules of the road and how to ride, go for it!! Gods blessing to both of you!

Eric, if possible, you gotta post a pic of his face when he first sees his new bike.

Hand down the other bike to the older brother. He throws it away, you showed him. He doesn't? He showed you! The younger one needs to know what slow and smooth is all about. If you think you're fast and all that, never hit the track, shathefkup! You are not even close to fast.

So, if the kid is smart, the slower he goes, the easier it is to go fast and be in control. It's not an overnighthing. It's not listen to your elders it's more a fact. Eatit and weep!

I just wish I had sommethatshit.

Look at the side of the front fender. That is one clue. The other clue, are 2 steel hoses down the right side neck. They should match the front fender's letters.

18 year old's just don't have the road knowledge or risk perception in the bank as far as I'm concerned.
If I was on a 14R at 18 I would not have made 19.

The kid is on a short learning curve, or he's lawn care or a grill ornament. You know he's big enough for it, strong enough for it, but brains? I think dad has some instinct where all this is just assumption on our part. Dad committed, so too late.

Once you assume things will happen, you just don't know, can't predict, but if dad knows best, ain't your kid. No loss to you, right? Either paddle or sink is how it goes, yes?

Okay I won't give him the turbo charger kit for Christmas.

00R, Look, I hear what you are saying. My old man tossed me in his lap @ 6yrs old, I've been steering a (car) a long time. A year or so before my license, I looked old enough, plus the old man next to me? He'd fall asleep we wake up early for charter fishing. I'd be so amp'd to drive, so I'm wide awake driving us home.

His idea was, I drive so much, I wouldn't go stealing a joy ride kind of crazyness. The old man did some horse trading, I was on some honda 50 @ 6'2'' and then I get a 2-storke bike that beat harleys and triumphs. It was the 14 of the day you might say. Pwr to wegt an all thatshit.

Slow here I am. And this kid is going to keep riding forever and he may too, cry for more HP/TQ, or it just plain evolves that way. So when 'his kid' is on the next bike like a 14, decades down the road, guess WOT, gramps?

Speed is relative. I jump on some old clapped out tri/x-6/shovelhead in perfect condition, I'll laugh and so would you, we take a romp around the block on one of those. That's the relativity of it. So relax, you bunch of old farts.

I second on getting a insurance quote prior to purchase.

Full coverage on a 14r with a 18 yr old rider might =

* Last updated by: okie on 10/13/2013 @ 10:49 PM *