Ok guys, as a future 14R buyer, what are your problem issues? What don't you like about the bike? Oil changes? Clutch life? Brakes? Bike wieght? Any small issues I should know about before I buy? I may have to raise the bars about 6 to 8 inches with all new cabling so if there are any other issues I can fix them all at once when I buy it. Thanks for the info. I want to go into this eyes wide open. I'm 6'2" and 260lbs. 54 yrs old and ride the BKing in leg pain from legs being cramped up, so that is normal for me (pop Vicodin for the pain when I ride).

i don't have any real nitpicks on mine, runs and performs great, love it. However you'll be just as cramped (or more) than on the BKing. Maybe a C14 to spread out a bit yet not give up tons of performance?

PLASTICS!!!!!

Seriously, my one gripe is the removal of the plastics to do any work on it. It's not difficult, just time consuming and then trying to line them back up afterwards...I have 1/8" gaps in some of the areas (grills, dashboards) and I keep dropping screws into the engine (and losing those little plastic fairing screw washers). I wish they designed the bike aesthetically to be a naked bike with minimal fairings, be easier to access and work on.

Otherwise, bike is great, could lose some weight though...

I compared the B-King and my 09 Monster at the dealer.Had cash and they were both a few hundred apart.I sat on my bike the 09 Monster and pulled both hamstrings.Hmmm I thought that smarts.Then I sat on the B-King.So much better feel.I'm a Kaw man so I just sucked it up.But If I had no brand loyalties I would of bought the B-King.
Craig

like said above its a real pain just to even remove the very lower fairing you have to remove the whole side! all just because kawi wanted to hide the bolts! what a pain in the ass , my 09 was sooo much easier to work on. other than that its an awesome bike, so smooth and fast as hell! i love mine, wouldnt trade for any other bike out there.

BKing, were the same height and weight and I don't mean to out do you on leg pain, but I'm 7 weeks post op from Total Knee Replacement. Haven't ridden Mighty Blue in 7 weeks, but should be able to get my foot completely on the peg by the end of this week. I rode a ZX-11 for thirteen years prior to the 14r and absolutely love them both. As a big person, the extra weight of the bike feels great. We all know about the power, the smoothness, etc. I don't know why everybody is having trouble with their tires. I put almost 2000 miles on the bike since late April until late June prior to surgery, and the tires still look new. Are the roads to blame back East or what? All I can tell you is that I've been riding since the age of 14 and this is the most amazing motorcycle ever!

I agree with Poppa Bear. I too am 6'2" 270. I am most recently coming off an R1 and also an M109R. There is plenty to be said about the power and grace of this bike but you can find that anywhere. I tore my Medial ligament many years ago. I do not have constant pain but a dull reminder of it. The position on this bike does not bug me. But once again keep in mind, my injury was almost 20 years ago. I do not have any back issues as I worked underwater with out gravity for many year so my back feels just as good as it did when I was 20. I think I could ride this thing cross country. However I would want to stop and stretch about every 100 miles or so.
As far your questions:
What are your problem issues?
I have not had it long enough to have any issues.

What don't you like about the bike?
The clutch lever is too short. The ball on the end hits my little finger right in the knuckle when my hands are on the grip in a comfortable position. I will be replacing it soon with a longer lever.

Oil changes?
Easy access and easy change. Download the service manual and when you read about the oil changes, yo[u] will reread it looking for what you missed. "It can't be that easy." It is.

Clutch life?
Don't think anyone has enough miles yet to determine that. I have read a lot of people are having 0 issues even when dropping them hard at the drag strip.

Brakes?
Lots of "Whoa!"

Bike wieght?
Heavy compared to my R1. Feels very well planted in the corners. I always felt as though the R1 was like me wearing a size large t-shirt. This feels like it fits.

Any small issues I should know about before I buy?
Gather your thoughts before you twist that throttle. Even coming off a B-King, this will surprise you.

Hi there,

In had a B-King before I sold it and bought the ZX14R. It was n nice bike but I absolutely LOVE my 14R!!!

I am 6'2, and weigh 300 pounds, and all I did was to raise the Handlebars by an inch, and presto, problem solved.
I ride for 3 to 4 hours at a time, and no problems.

Buy it, you will not be sorry, here in South Africa it is the most popular Hypersports bike by far and seriously outselling the Hyabusas.

Enjoy!!

6'2" 287.32 pounds...Risers and a taller/bubble screen, if knees are still an issue, consider adjustable pegs. I got some...kinda...sitting in customs or lost in the overseas mailing process....

You will Love this bike. I had a 2000 & 2003 ZX12 and a 2006 ZX14, I thought my 2006 was evil with 178 rwhp. LMAO

Guys, Thanks for the info! I can't believe you guys were riding BKings. That really helps me compare them. I sat on one at the dealer but I really need to test drive it for about 30 minutes. If I could add 3 inches of seat foam and drop the pegs an inch for about 5 inches of unwinding the legs, I would kiss that bike every ride! Luckily my dealer will let me test drive one. I want more speed after 130mph. The King pushes so much air (being a naked with an after market windscreen) that at 130 it really slows down the acceleration. At 140 it pretty much is not worth holding the throttle open anymore as I run out of room on I-75 here in Tampa. I'd like to zip up to 150 in a flash so I need the plastic streamlining.
Now I have to figure out how to talk the wife into it........

Just my 09 when I twisted the gas in 6th went 150 rather quickly.Can't imagine what the 2012 does.I wonder if anyone knows this.I went to the gearcommander site and loaded the 2012 ZX-14r gearing to see it was any difference.There is.In the primary transmission it is a little lower.I was surprised.Check it out.With the extra power and the 1 tooth bigger in the back no wonder it's a beast.Next year I'm all over this.
Craig

Kinda wished I had waited and got the ABS. Haven't crashed in about 3 decades but it could happen tomorrow. The way this beautiful beast builds speed..... However, ABS is available now and therefore no longer a pick. I've always been a Honda dude but recent history has changed me. Incredible power, crystal clear rear view mirrors, tranny, ergos, brakes, build quality - I can go on and on about what's right - can't really come up with (after 2000 miles) anything to bitch about.

I'm suprised you are able to fit on that B-King, I'm 6'4" and 230, and sat on one in the showroom. My legs were so splayed out from the tank/fairings, I felt like a woman on the gynecology table.

Love the 14R, one inch risers do the trick. Adjustable pegs would be good too, one day. I had an '08 Connie before and got used to the leg positioning, but it's only a little tighter on the ZX.

Still haven't found the top end on this beast, drop a gear on the freeway and you're going ludicrous speed before you can even get her past 7500 rpm... what a bike!

* Last updated by: LimeyHooligan on 9/22/2012 @ 9:43 AM *

The LCD display can be difficult to read in bright sunlight and if you're wearing sunglasses or have a dark visor, forget it.
And WTF is that startup animation on the screen all about. A complete waste of 5 seconds and very annoying.
The indicator warning lamps are not bright/obviuos enough in daytime use,. I'm always leaving the damn things on which can be dangerous. How difficult would it have been to make them self-cancelling? JMO

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 9/22/2012 @ 3:46 PM *

Having to replace the stock exhaust (an almost must)

And in the process, the extensive efforts apparently required to get the fairing off.

The bike is also a bit on the heavy side.

But those are minor things when you take into consideration the *pros* of this amazing machine. I think that the ZX14R is the most impressive, and best overall sport bike to date.

Power, looks, comfort, handling, intimidation factor...............its got so much to be in awe of............ and has very minor drawbacks.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 9/22/2012 @ 7:11 PM *

Front fairing bolts fall out or get loose after 2800 miles of street driving! Check for tightness each month or replace the cap nuts with real locking nuts and loctite.

The only real nitpick I have; is the paint on the tank chips really easy. dropped my plastic flashlight from my tankbag and it "rolled out" and trickled down the side of the tank as I tried to catch it. made a chip.

Also, I accidently bumped the metal tank under the seat with my ratchet when I was wiring in my corbin seat heater. Chipped it there too. and were not talking about a big clunk, just a "tap".

oh well.

My last bike was a Suzuki. Fit and finish was a great deal better than my 2012 14r. I am thrilled with the power and mechanics of my new bike but, the fit and finish could be much improved. Would still make the transition to Kawasaki if it could do it again.

I traded my Bking in on the 14r. The only thing that I dislike on the 14r is the suspension. I felt that the Bking was better. I have a 08 CBR1000RR with Ohlins suspension front and rear that I ride only on the track(love the way it handles). I hate to spend $3500 on top of the purchase price for the 14r but will probably do so. The funny thing is I didn't notice this on the Demo ride because they never allowed us to get up to speed. The factory suspension is comfortable but really wallows when you push it which doesn't inspire confidence. I am 6'1 230lbs.

Cost too damn much to insure. I am self-insuring rather than pay these crazy rates.

Great bike.Wallowing...yes...she will with the stock rear setting(s).I tightened mine up just a little...no more wallow.I try to avoid removing the lower fairing...I just took the side cover off....and the rest if need be...without seperating the two main parts.Seems to work okay.Everything fits back fine.It will flex and the 'gaps' will 'change' as the motor heats up and such...normal.I am(was) very happy with mine).6'1"////180.Some heli risers helped a bit.Nothing extreme...they worked just fine for me.

Chip seal here on the roads ruins these tires pretty quickly.Just have to accept it and ride accordingly.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/7/2012 @ 9:50 AM *

Once I dialed in the suspension, the wallowing stopped. Had my shop guys help me set sag front and rear then used SportBike Riders magazine recommended settings, put Michelin Pilot Road 3's on with a 190/55 rear and it corners like it is on rails now- I am 5'9 200 lbs. Mort

Agreed on the SportBike suspension settings snd the Pilot Road 3's.

Rear spring preload must be increased from stock, for sure.

If you are in the middle weight ranks and a track proficient rider, those settings are a good starting point; and if you are heavier but not as skilled as the track test riders, those settings are a good starting point for you as well.

Cornering, even at a constant speed, is a form of lateral acceleration requiring a vector change in momentum; the size of the change and the force necessary thereby to make the change over an interval of time is dependent on the velocity of the vehicle and its mass ("weight") in equal measure. Suspension settings that work for lightweight WERA class road racers may very well work for larger riders during somewhat less "aggressive" cornering.

* Last updated by: PaulAB on 10/7/2012 @ 1:43 PM *

It's testament to how good the 14R/ZZR1400 is straight out of the crate that you can have a thread like this discussing minor niggles rather than berate basic handling/performance/design flaws. I think I can honestly say that as an all round road package the 14R is the best bike I've ever had in my 31 years of riding. JMO

Agreed.