Buy what you want but I still don't get it. You want to buy and tame a motorcycle specifically developed for performance THEN let it sit in the garage and gather dust? Wacko. Buy a Concours.

My legs were definately bent on my friends bike but he had rearsets installed and it still felt better than the ZXs and GSXRs I tried. I figure stock is better and lowered pegs would improve it even more. Lots of straight roads in my parts and I don't get a chance to corner hard so clearance is not an issue. Still looking but haven't found anything locally that I like. Trying to find an 08 or later. A new 2011 can be had for 10,600 so I cant see spending over 7-8 on a used one. I also want something stock except for pipes and riser bars. Still looking. Craigslist has been empty as well as ebay. Fortunately it's 30 degrees here and I already have a bike I like. Thanks for all the helpfull tips. Am I the only one who want's one of these bikes for reasons other than speed?

Chitownpete,you are not the only one that wanted the ZX14 for something other that speed. I too liked the bigger bikes for more comfort that the smaller sport bikes. I had ridden cruisers before and had never been on a crotch rocket before I test rode my ZX14. I was window shopping for two years and talked to many Busa and ZX shops, magazine writeups, etc. to find out all the differences. The shop where I bought my bike sold both the Busa and ZX14. The salesman told me that the ZX14 was better handling and more comfortable. I already knew the power was great on both bikes and for me the looks of the ZX14 was Bad Ass! I had them throw on a PCIII and a fully Muzzy system and I rode it with great respect (pointed straight before applying POWER) until more comfortable on it (but don't ever get to comfortable.) I remind myself every ride to respect the power, but it does need to be opened up every now and then!!! So in closing, Buy one, customize it to your needs, respect it, and enjoy the hell out of it!

This bike is back up for sale and is in my town which is good since we are getting snow. I hope to check it out tomorrow. I will just have to keep the revs low if I get it. Thanks for all the help.
ZX-14 ad

* Last updated by: chitownpete on 2/23/2012 @ 8:39 PM *

Seems like a well kept bike and prolly as good as new but what matters for resale is year and that is a 5 year old bike.

Check out the blue book on that bike. Bet it is much lower than he is asking. 5.5 thousand would sound better to me. With the price of new bikes, If the guy is willing to wait a few months, someone will pay his price. It is not way out of line what he is asking. If the miles were a couple thou lower I would say don't think twice. Then again, what the heck is the dif, 8.5K or 6K??? either one is low miles. Maybe the most important thing is how you feel about the owner after meeting him.

Look at those tank stickers. Can you tell if they are original? Never heard of fakes being made they prolly are legit. good sign the bike was not beat on. You will want to be extra careful with those 5 year old tires. Not really a selling point but if they are BT-014s, they are prolly OEM and if they have little wear on them, another good sign the bike was not abused.

Look at brake pads.

LOOK at lowers for pitting or scraping. Look for scrapes under the midpipes and footpegs. Under mirrrors and clutch brake levers.

Look at the oil drain plug guard for scrapes or if it is busted off.

What mark is the chain adjusted too? Prolly shouldn't be past the third mark on that new of a bike. I don't think mine ever got past the fourth mark at 25,500 miles.

Look for oil film head gasket leak on front left hand side of motor (if you can somehow get in there to feel it).

Was the frame recall taken care of?

Rook covered it check everything he stated and you should be fine!

Sounds like this bike is not for you honestly..