Move Close
Welcome to zx14ninjaform.com!

You are not logged in.
New Topic Reply
Next Page

Page: 1 2

Previous Page

Thread: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"

Created on: 03/23/26 12:51 AM

Replies: 44

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
03/30/26 4:26 PM

Like the tail that alludes to how the stock seat looked, the Upper fairing has a ridge under where the headlights would be. I would have made that perfectly smooth. It doesn't have headlights but needs to make sure we know where the headlights would be. The bike looks great. I'm accepting the back of the stock seat shape to the tail fairing, they smoothed it out at least, the whole fairing is smoothed out as it should be for aeros. That sharp ridge under where the headlights would be was a little mistake they chose to include and it's not even smoothed out...like they wanted to emphasize it. I've seen race fairings on ZX-14s and the top cowl is perfectly smooth. I think they're trying to retain the character of the stock ZX-14R appearance but they tried too hard with that headlight ridge. Still very nice but "form follows function." ...maybe a bunch of engineers thinking they'd save a few bucks by not hiring an industrial design expert....or maybe they did and they didn't listen to him. LOL I was an illustrator for nine years and damned if clients didn't make me do what I knew was wrong...but if they hired a plumber orelectrician, they'd just do whatever the plumber or electrician suggested. People think art is easy.

I like the keyhole well in the tail fairing.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
03/30/26 4:49 PM


Yep, I don't think "chin" is an official term. I heard it used way back and it stuck.

Definitely fits, I hate to ding on Jay Leno, a cool dude imv,
but everyone seems to make fun of you know what, so I guess
it could also be called the ;

I didn't notice that. That's another really cool thing about these fairings. The tail looks good. What I don't like is the lack of side vent holes and the smoothed down grills. I know they do it for aerodynamics and that's what most people who buy these fairings would put above looks...but they do look really cool. I like the idea of having large body panels instead of all those little pieces.

I would want it vented too, and some graphics.
Amazing how GP Bikes look with that underside in a second color or
the same but with contrast, and bikes with well thought out design schemes.
I'm into decals too, Pirelli, Motul, Monster Drink logo, my favorite of all
even though only barely even tried one once, that design logo just goes
with almost everything imv.

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
03/30/26 5:07 PM

It doesn't have headlights but needs to make sure we know where the headlights would be. The bike looks great. I'm accepting the back of the stock seat shape to the tail fairing, they smoothed it out at least, the whole fairing is smoothed out as it should be for aeros. That sharp ridge under where the headlights would be was a little mistake they chose to include and it's not even smoothed out...like they wanted to emphasize it. I've seen race fairings on ZX-14s and the top cowl is perfectly smooth.

I take it you've seen most of the sides of this bike?
I should look it up, the fairing manufacturer.


I rode all day yesterday with 25 + - psi, I think this
might be the winning psi for me, I also think that
being quite light myself the lower psi makes a hella
more sense than cranking it up.
I did a few pulls against my buddies new Ducati Panigale,
I lagged/lost each one, it was reasonably close and hard
for me to tell exactly where he was pulling ahead the most
and I couldn't get into 6th very well, nor look at the
speedo
( )

I kept sliding back in the seat, and at 2500 mi, and quite a bit of
'hard' riding, it's probably time
for an oil change, add that to my lack of rolling drags experience.
---
So today, I only rode to 'coffee' and back, no energy to
go chasing sweeps, and not quite dumb enough to push
it with all the nutrient and hydration loss.

So..... yeah today, I went right into 'fixing' my seat
with some make shift foam work, building a 'Stop' ,
to help keep me in the seat.
I don't put a death grip or even that hard a grip on
my bars, I like to keep loose up front so I can
better control levers, and rely more on gripping
with legs, and covering the rear brake, just in case
the front comes up, which I doubt will happen but
don't care to take that chance.
I'll try a couple of 'roll-ons' tomorrow perhaps
and see if I notice an improvement.

Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
03/30/26 5:53 PM

I'm into decals too, Pirelli, Motul, Monster Drink logo, my favorite of all
even though only barely even tried one once, that design logo just goes
with almost everything imv.

We call that the "boy racer" look. I've saved all my stickers from parts I've purchased over the years. I might stick them all over a bike someday just for kicks.

I kept sliding back in the seat,

The Gen1 seat was sloped uphill toward the back. Most people complained about sliding down it. i had this grippy seat cover mesh that made a big improvement...if you can find one for the riders seat. https://www.triboseat.com/product-category/kawasaki/home-kawasaki-zzr-1400-zx14/



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
03/31/26 3:44 AM

if you can find one for the riders seat. https://www.triboseat.com/product-category/kawasaki/home-kawasaki-zzr-1400-zx14/


I went through the grippy-cover-search a few months back
hours of searching, I gave up.

Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
03/31/26 4:32 PM

I went through the grippy-cover-search a few months back
hours of searching, I gave up.

I still have mine stored away somewhere. i don't find it necessary on the Gen2 with the flatter seat.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
03/31/26 6:37 PM

I still have mine stored away somewhere. i don't find it necessary on the Gen2 with the flatter seat.

Good luck finding it if you ever need it..
I put things like that someplace where it's easy to find
and never do, or throw it out, and need it a week later.

Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/01/26 2:51 PM

LOL, when you get divorced and thrown out of your house, the first thing you do is put everything in boxes. There's no room for "a place for everything and everything in its place" anymore. I had the foresight to label every box with a list of what's in there. I even created a full inventory of every single thing I own and what box it's in according to number. Currently, there are 33 boxes and I'm in the process of rechecking and reorganizing the inventory. I haven't gotten to my triboseat stashed where it's been the last 19 years. I could pinpoint it and dig it out if necessary.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/02/26 6:33 PM

Currently, there are 33 boxes and I'm in the process of rechecking and reorganizing the inventory.

I boxed up a bunch of items and put them up in the rafters of
a garage, kept a list of each box and contents, I figure that
is the way to go, I probably lost the list though, and
don't recall ever doing it again, but that's how I think
it should be done.
I have a friend with a dozen + - 55gal rubber trash cans in his attic,
and probably 100 boxes and bags, mostly the Mrs's nicknacks,
she's gone now, and I doubt he can find anything
or knows/remembers what's up there.

Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/03/26 9:22 AM

I have a friend with a dozen + - 55gal rubber trash cans in his attic,
and probably 100 boxes and bags, mostly the Mrs's nicknacks,
she's gone now, and I doubt he can find anything
or knows/remembers what's up there.

It's the same with my mom and dad, except for a few items, they don't have a clue what's in the basement.

AS far as the inventory list of your own belongings, write it up in a doc on your computer.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/03/26 7:50 PM

It's the same with my mom and dad, except for a few items, they don't have a clue what's in the basement.

''Its here somewhere...''


Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/03/26 8:56 PM

Just sit down and go through your shit and document it. That will save you from the nursing home by a few years.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/04/26 9:17 PM

That will save you from the nursing home by a few years.

Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/05/26 2:36 AM

...and me too. We have to have a plan, Strat, how to avoid a nursing home as long as possible. That's the final challenge in life, may it last many years for us both.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/05/26 6:36 AM

...and me too. We have to have a plan, Strat, how to avoid a nursing home as long as possible. That's the final challenge in life, may it last many years for us both.

Yeah, I guess a lot of unavoidable issues can steer us
into them, but perhaps controllable avoidance-components
might be in maintaining some level of enthusiasm for 'something', and
a sense of challenge, we have that going for us in riding.


Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/05/26 5:22 PM

but perhaps controllable avoidance-components
might be in maintaining some level of enthusiasm for 'something', and
a sense of challenge, we have that going for us in riding.

Most definitely, if living an independent life is directed at some purpose, that's very likely to keep the old warhorse going a long time. It's not the biggest, the baddest or the strongest anymore, It's "I'm still here amongst the smoke and rubble and I'm still ready to go." i have my elderly parents to look upon as an example of when you're past the point of ready to go and still doing their darndest to to live in that world. Forgive me for taking this to a completely serious level but we DO have to make a plan for when we can't make logical choices while we still have the capacity to make logical choices. My mom and dad, the social worker doesn't come to commit them, The ambulance doesn't know how many times I picked them off the floor (but if I'm not there, they call an ambulance and it costs a thousand bucks). Very seriously, I'm saying we need to use our clear mind and plan for when we don't have a clear mind. At least we will know we planned it. ...for a while because there will come a point we don't remember any of our plans...and that's why we need to rely on the kindness of a stranger. So plan it so the stranger is expected. Let's enjoy our bike riding and if that keeps us out of a nursing home a few years, that's golden. Most likely, with modern medicine, we're going to end up in a nursing home. ...so I'll be planning it.


* Last updated by: Rook on 4/5/2026 @ 5:24 PM *



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/06/26 9:38 AM

Most likely, with modern medicine, we're going to end up in a nursing home. ...so I'll be planning it.


My plan/wish is to die in my sleep due to eventual
electrical shutdown, not a lingering,chronic health issue,
it's probably not a realistic plan, but that's what I'm aiming for.

''Be nice to your kids, they'll be choosing your nursing home'' - Confucius 500 BC

Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/06/26 5:34 PM

My plan/wish is to die in my sleep due to eventual
electrical shutdown, not a lingering,chronic health issue,

That's what we all hope for but most of the time, it's years of lingering and the end is pretty awful. The very end is lot less awful because of morphine and you'll probably be able to administer it yourself as you choose. My grandmother was flying on morphine and I'd she still knew me and had expressed her genuine fellings for me. Modern death certainly has its plusses even if it's the normal death that doesn't happen in your sleep.

I think it has a lot to do with your financial situation. If you're paying your bills and not breaking any laws, you can stay in your own home as long as you want. I used to work in nursing homes and most residents were in better shape than my parents are now. They seemed to pretty often decline soon after being in the nursing home too. There you go, "if living an independent life is directed at some purpose, that's very likely to keep the old warhorse going a long time." I believe a lot of peoples' main purpose in life when they get old is to remain living independently. It's not real safe so they end up in a nursing home which is safe but a lot of the time, makes you lose the will to live. ...so are nursing homes really safe? ...catch 22.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom

Stratovarious


Stratovarious's Gravatar

Joined: 10/18/25

Posts: 438

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/07/26 6:27 PM

I believe a lot of peoples' main purpose in life when they get old is to remain living independently. It's not real safe so they end up in a nursing home which is safe but a lot of the time, makes you lose the will to live. ...so are nursing homes really safe? ...catch 22.

''Are they safe'' Good question, there are some horror stories out there,
but I'll bet the nicer 'homes' are safe, yep, funding, is probably key there,
we don't want some backwater slipshod joint.

Link | Top | Bottom

Rook


Rook's Gravatar

Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21857

RE: ZX-14R Thermal Mastery: Killing the OEM "Anchor"
04/08/26 2:14 PM

I worked in them. They're terrified of breaking HIPPA rules.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

Link | Top | Bottom


Welcome to zx14ninjaform.com!
 
New Topic Reply
Next Page

Page: 1 2

Previous Page

New Post

Please login to post a response.