The second this full titanium system for the ZX-14R hit the shop floor, I started tearing down the bike to weigh it against that massive OEM exhaust. The stock setup is a literal boat anchor that chokes the 1441cc powerplant, trapping a sickening amount of heat soak that cooks the fairings and triggers a nasty thermal drift in the O2 sensor readings.

Taking the calipers to the header primaries, the millimeter-level precision of the tapered collectors is absolute engineering madness. The material rigidity of this aerospace-grade titanium provides a bulletproof structure while slashing over 10kg compared to the factory cast-iron and steel junk. I’ve been wrenching on the manifold flange alignment to ensure perfectly laminar flow while dialing in the fuel maps to compensate for the massive increase in scavenging.

The reduction in radiant heat is a lifesaver, but with this much flow, backpressure management becomes a razor's edge. For those of you stretching the 14R's legs on top-speed runs: how are you dialing in your AFR to prevent exhaust valve scorched-earth scenarios with these oversized header diameters?

https://japan.webike.net/magazine/custom/kawasaki-zx-14r-custom-4/?utm_forum&utm_medium=439&utm_campaign=46104

* Last updated by: WebikeJapan on 3/23/2026 @ 7:06 PM *

I can't answer the question, but nice bike!


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Is that a custom tail piece, that is exactly something
I've been hoping to find, or actually a drag-seat that
came up much further than what I've seen,
some kind of backstop to help keep me in the seat
when getting on the throttle hard.
I haven't so far found any drag-seat that has
the kind of support that I see on your bike.

I believe that's a full set of race fairings, Strat. they're made in carbon fiber and composite (which is some kind of plastic material). If you just wanted a tail, I'm sure you could run that with the rest of your OEM fairings but You'd need to do some modification to fit indicators and a tail light. I really love the look of the low seat. I even like the memory foam pads. I'd ride that on the road. The lights required for road riding would be quite a project but I'd do it. For now, I'll go with OEM tail fairings and a carved down seat.

...hey, if you carve that seat down, you could raise the height of the rear at least an inch if you want. Maybe it was good luck but I got a Gen1 seat in perfect condition off Ebay and it was very affordable.

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....but the Gen1 seat was for my Gen1. I would do some research before buying. I'm pretty sure a Gen1 seat does fot a Gen2 but not as well as a Gen2 seat fits a Gen2 and its fairings.

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If you just wanted a tail, I'm sure you could run that with the rest of your OEM fairings but You'd need to do some modification to fit indicators and a tail light.

Well actually, I'm looking at how close the 'stop' is the tank,
that's the part that I wish I could integrate with my seat.

..hey, if you carve that seat down, you could raise the height of the rear at least an inch if you want. Maybe it was good luck but I got a Gen1 seat in perfect condition off Ebay and it was very affordable

I did lol, bought a seat off of ebay so I could mod it.
I took the oem which is in great shape, off the bike, didn't wan't
to mess it up.
I shaved the seat along with the lowing links, so I could flatfoot,
for me this is key, a friend has a new R1 and he is literally on
on foot, that sucks for trying to get around tight spaces.
Anyway, I wish I had some kind of 'stop' to help keep me
planted under hard acceleration, I'm still thinking up a plan,
maybe shape a piece of foam and insert it, but I have no idea
how to get the cover to conform to this kind of modified
shape, I don't think that can actually happen.

Well actually, I'm looking at how close the 'stop' is the tank,
that's the part that I wish I could integrate with my seat.

I understand. You can carve the stock seat into the same shape. I'm sure whoever makes that race tail fairing made a mold of a carved out stock seat with stock tail fairings, that would be the easiest way to do it. If you need the rigidity of the race seat tail fairing, you need a race seat tail fairing. Then you need to find a way to put the appropriate lights on it so you don't get busted by the cops.

I shaved the seat along with the lowing links, so I could flatfoot,
for me this is key, a friend has a new R1 and he is literally on
on foot, that sucks for trying to get around tight spaces.
Anyway, I wish I had some kind of 'stop' to help keep me
planted under hard acceleration, I'm still thinking up a plan,
maybe shape a piece of foam and insert it, but I have no idea
how to get the cover to conform to this kind of modified
shape, I don't think that can actually happen.

All you need to do is carve out the front portion of the stock seat foam and leave the rear four or five inches. This will be identical in shape to the race seat fairing. Companies have been doing it since the 14 came out. The race fairing seat tail is just a replica of a caved down stock seat with tail fairing molded into one piece. It probably weighs less than the modded stock thing and it's a lot more rigid. ...otherwise, exactly the same shape. I dont understand what else you could want unless you need the increased rigidity of the race seat with rigid butt bumper. I've actually wondered why the race tail fairing retains the shape of the seat at the forward edge of the seat cowl portion. It's a butt bumper, why not just continue the shape of the seat cowl and let it swoop into the butt bumper. Instead they have to continue the shape of the seat that is actually not a seat but a fairing? Just make the whole tail smooth. The set isn't even a seat anymore, it's a fairing you sit on. To be very honest, I think including the shape of the back few inches of the seat in the race fairing was lazy design. It's not a seat anymore, why is it there? It doesn't look better with this reminder that that shape was once a seat, it isn't. It's not more aerodynamic. Why do they do it? ...I mean if it were a carved out stock seat, the answer would be very simple, it's a carved out stock seat. The race tail fairing seat isn't. Form follows function, #1 rule of design.

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they smoothed out the rear indicators. They aren't there so why would you leave the shape of the indicators behind? They left the shape of the seat that isn't there behind.

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...maybe they thought it would look too much like a Hayabusa hump if they just continued the contour of the tail forward and scooped it straight down into the butt bumper. Actually, this one looks pretty good but I've seen most throughout the years where they actually included the exact shape of the back portion of the seat. At least they smoothed this one down. The next step in this 20 year evolution is they just carry the tail forward and let it be a hump because that couldn't help but be more aerodynamic and also avoid raising the question of "why" in the aesthetics dept.

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I understand. You can carve the stock seat into the same shape. I'm sure whoever makes that race tail fairing made a mold of a carved out stock seat with stock tail fairings, that would be the easiest way to do it. If you need the rigidity of the race seat tail fairing, you need a race seat tail fairing. Then you need to find a way to put the appropriate lights on it so you don't get busted by the cops.

I actually don't rid much with the composite fairing, it looks good,
but I also like the look of the seat.
I don't think I will be able to get the 'skin' to
form neatly around the foam that I'll need to add as a 'stop',
I'd already shaved the seat down, and it looks ok the way it is,
I'll have to experiment.
I don't need a full drag stop, just would like at least
something back there to help lock me in better.
Maybe some pretty dense foam would work.

Instead they have to continue the shape of the seat that is actually not a seat but a fairing? Just make the whole tail smooth. The set isn't even a seat anymore, it's a fairing you sit on.

I'm reminded of how the race bikes were of the early 80's (?),
for some of the bikes, where the tail section is one smooth line
right up to the back stop, then pretty abruptly drops down almost
if not fully vertical, that to me was a winning look, very aesthetically
pleasing.
If I read you correctly on how this busa composite mimics an
actual seat, yeah, I agree, they missed the mark on looks, should
be one steady, sleek line.

...I also see a butt bumper pad BEHIND the seat. What is that?...so if you have a long torso, you can slide back off the seat and sit on the part that's not supposed to be a seat (which is the reason you got the seat)?

It looks good in spite of the many conflicts between ergonomics and aesthetics. The answer to designing a seat that looks good and is functional is completely obvious but nobody I'm aware of did it.

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I don't think I will be able to get the 'skin' to
form neatly around the foam that I'll need to add as a 'stop',
I'd already shaved the seat down, and it looks ok the way it is,
I'll have to experiment.
I don't need a full drag stop, just would like at least
something back there to help lock me in better.
Maybe some pretty dense foam would work.

Professional upholsterer. I've seen the stock seat stitched at the base of the butt bumper. I don't care for the looks, it's too abrupt. I'm not sure there is another answer though...unless one were go with a race fairing seat.

I'm reminded of how the race bikes were of the early 80's (?),
for some of the bikes, where the tail section is one smooth line
right up to the back stop, then pretty abruptly drops down almost
if not fully vertical, that to me was a winning look, very aesthetically
pleasing.

I agree. ...and that's what I'm going on about, if its a race fairing, let it be that. There's no reason to make it mimic the shape of a carved out seat.

If I read you correctly on how this busa composite mimics an
actual seat, yeah, I agree, they missed the mark on looks, should
be one steady, sleek line.

You should see some of the older race tails. This one looks pretty good, like almost there but afraid to completely break the mold (literally and figuratively).

Here's what I'm talking about.

https://montgomerymotorsports.net/products/copy-of-kawasaki-zx14r-tail-8-over?variant=42513982980273&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20963828354&gbraid=0AAAAAqw8g_33zBsQOVK42-j9ERsUCT9V5&gclid=CjwKCAjwspPOBhB9EiwATFbi5PjikFAhc2Gy3e6jl7VFbAXRHHdNMogZZrfrVRyvEea4mjINt04-PRoC19EQAvD_BwE

https://www.agmotorsports.net/product-page/agm-zx14-carbon-fiber-tail-14

Maybe the ZX-14's tail would just look too huge if the line over the back continued up to the point where it drops into a race seat. The stock seat cowl is pretty damned big without making it bigger. The smoothed over designs might be a compromise between appearance and function. It was designed to look good in OEM but that doesn't work well without an actual seat.

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I'd still like to try to fiberglass a full race tail that pops open without removing the whole damned seat. Imagine all the space you'd have back there. You'd have space for a nitrous system and a decent sized bottle.

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Yeah, I saw the double pads, and didn't think the
top pad was there for anything particular but sure,
could be so rider could stretch back as sit on it,
then go to hospital.... upon hitting nasty tar snake
or natural speed bump and pothole.

and that's what I'm going on about, if its a race fairing, let it be that. There's no reason to make it mimic the shape of a carved out seat.

https://montgomerymotorsports.net/products/copy-of-kawasaki-zx14r-tail-8-over?variant=42513982980273&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20963828354&gbraid=0AAAAAqw8g_33zBsQOVK42-j9ERsUCT9V5&gclid=CjwKCAjwspPOBhB9EiwATFbi5PjikFAhc2Gy3e6jl7VFbAXRHHdNMogZZrfrVRyvEea4mjINt04-PRoC19EQAvD_BwE

Yep , and improvement imv.

I'd still like to try to fiberglass a full race tail that pops open without removing the whole damned seat. Imagine all the space you'd have back there. You'd have space for a nitrous system and a decent sized bottle.

I've considered that area too.
Some kind of front hinge set up, and eliminate
the pillion padding, flatten that area out.
Good storage. And If I run into a super model, (lol)
I can put my oem seat on in short order for her pleasure,
and go hit the canyons...

I was scheming some way to place a hinge under the tail cover and fasten it down with some Dzus fasteners. It would work best if the tail cover was hinged at the back. I wouldn't want it to pop open while riding though. There was a company making an aftermarket tail fairing that opened like a trunk. I didn't care so much for the looks of it, it's appearance was not the same as OEM.

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...I wouldn't want it to pop open while riding though. There was a company making an aftermarket tail fairing that opened like a trunk. I didn't care so much for the looks of it, it's appearance was not the same as OEM.

Agreed, 'pop open hazard' , that's why I was also thinking front hinge,
I think it would look better or cooler though, now that I think of it, to open
back hinged.
That might be the ticket, back hinged just for the way it would look
when opened. I/we'd have to destroy the fairings either way, but could
still conceal the damage, aesthetics.
Some toy or mini gas shocks , not to strong... retractable/inset hinges,
some nice locking mechanism, and a pro upholsterer.

appears to be ionemoto fairings. if i knew a good painter around me i would probably get the same ones. no more squeaky fairings...

Agreed, 'pop open hazard' , that's why I was also thinking front hinge,
I think it would look better or cooler though, now that I think of it, to open
back hinged.

I'm not sure how it would work on the Gen2 but the Gen1 seat cowl comes to points up front over the tail pods. Those would not allow it to pivot up without hitting the tail pods immediately. A rear hinge would work fine as long as you could figure out what the hinge would attach to, maybe the back of the seat.

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appears to be ionemoto fairings. if i knew a good painter around me i would probably get the same ones. no more squeaky fairings...

Your OEM fairings squeak?

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Your OEM fairings squeak?

I'm guessing he's referring to all the joining parts,
maybe this design has a lot less (?) .

It looks like the top and sides are all one piece.

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It looks like the lowers are also one piece.

I really like the way the chin encloses the headers. That looks very nice. The Gen2 Hayabusa has a similar shaped chin on the lowers. It also has an oil cooler down there under the radiator and apparently, it's not effected by the wind being blocked. The Hayabusa runs a lot cooler than the Gen1 ZX-14 did.

If they make these fairings for the Gen1, that might be a solution for my wrecked Gen1 ZX-14.

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I really like the way the chin encloses the headers. That looks very nice. The Gen2 Hayabusa has a similar shaped chin on the lowers. It also has an oil cooler down there under the radiator and apparently, it's not effected by the wind being blocked. The Hayabusa runs a lot cooler than the Gen1 ZX-14 did.

I guess 'chin' is that 'scoop' looking thing at the lowest point
right of the fairing right behind center line of front wheel?
If so, I like that too and wonder how the oil cooler if down their
can still function as well as intended. I think if it had
slats cut into it in a thought out design or shape pattern, that
would look just as cool.
I like how the complete underside is covered too.
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Side note; I think I'll order Motul 15/20 synthetic today, after
a pretty hard run yesterday and moving right into summer,
I'd thought I'd go with 20//50, but I see that I can get
15/50 which I think will be an even better choice, maybe
a little bit easier on the starter that 20/50 (?).

I guess 'chin' is that 'scoop' looking thing at the lowest point
right of the fairing right behind center line of front wheel?

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

If so, I like that too and wonder how the oil cooler if down their
can still function as well as intended. I think if it had
slats cut into it in a thought out design or shape pattern, that
would look just as cool.

I never got around to deleting the oil cooler from my Gen1. I was told it doesn't do a very effective job of cooling oil so it's a good weight loss mod. Turbo ZX-14s don't have oil coolers and the turbo makes more heat. The Hayabusa oil cooler is an actual little radiator for engine oil. Come to think of it, I believe the Hayabusa oil cooler is above the chin cover.

I like how the complete underside is covered too.

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.

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