lol...just my way of saying i was planning on cleaning the bike real good.

The temperature turned alittle now.. but that sure got us over the hump.

Won't be long now !!

* Last updated by: mark43 on 2/23/2012 @ 3:04 PM *

You jerks.You don't really think the new 2012 is all that,do you?C'mon....better than your 'modded' 14's?Gimme a break.You guys with your new 2012's...yer just experiencing 'new bike syndrome'....get real.This 2012 is the same old shit...different package.Right?That's all.Nothing 'special' about this bike.It's all in your imagination.Yes?

BTW...I got my flashed ECU back from Guhl.Uhhhhh....let me just say....my Ktrc is not stopping wheel spin anymore .Either that...or she's just been ramped up and I don't know what I'm looking for?

I was cruising in third doing about 90mph,KTRC on '1'.I downshifted and gassed her.She blipped from about 6k rpms to like 10k rpms in less than two seconds.But she wasn't going much faster.WTF?KTRC '1' didn't seem to be doing much?Guess I should put that KTRC on '2' or '3' huh?I might sit there all day if I turn it off .Maybe a tad taller gearing out back?IDK.

"Bad Bird...Bad Bird!"

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/23/2012 @ 4:04 PM *

@Grn what did they add,remove,alter from the original tune?
does one really need more ponies that this already delivers in stock form?

@mark... so when are u planning on picking her up, may I suggest now, if sales explode on these units as the season approaches and it's approaching fast (just got my renewal for insurance today and I expect the reggie renewal by the first week of march), it's a good possibility your haggling powers will have no effect on the stealers

"does one really need more ponies that this already delivers in stock form?"....NO...not really.But with this bike...I wanted to try and get as much out as I could in virtually stock form.I'm not seeing any future need for me to be buying a bunch of aftermarket deals....Powercommanders and such.This baby doesn't need it...not for me anyway.Spent plenty on my 07.And it never did even approach this bike in regards to practically everything with it.Hard to believe...I know....but....that's the truth with my assessment.Others may feel differently.I don't.This bike is the deal here.

Okay...they raised the rpm limiter by 200 rpm.It's not much,but I didn't want to be bouncing off the limiter.They recalibrated the secondary opening rpms.From about 5000rpms down to opening right off throttle.They disabled the factory top speed limiter.They reprogrammed the ignition table.Gave it some advance where there was some that would increase performance.That's it.No fuel mapping...nothing along those lines.

I can tell she's running even smoother than before....and that in itself is pretty amazing.The torque is immediate...even moreso than before...which again...is amazing.She's really perked up at all rpm ranges...downshifting,powering out for straight acceleration or passing power.Whatever.I'd have to say the fuel mileage has risen as well...but IDK if that's from the motor getting more miles on it...or the ignition settings.Temps are very good...not heating up.Idle is good.The automatic idle control is working exactly like the factory setting.The Ktrc is working fine.Slipper clutch...working fine.I did not top out...so IDK if the limiter is actually disabled...I'm pretty sure it is....part of their standard flash program.I ran her up into redline today....she limited at 12,000 rpm.IF the tach is optimistic...then that will be probably around 11,500...11,900...something in there?That will give the motor a possible couple more HP because on the dynos...she's flatlining at around 11,000.Still showing HP possibilities.So I'm happy with it.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/23/2012 @ 5:27 PM *

@Grn....Nice
no snatch to speak of with this bike?

btw- what kind of screen did you get?

* Last updated by: leo167 on 2/23/2012 @ 5:51 PM *

No...NONE.Just immediate smooth power.Plus I've got the Rifleman's 1/5th throttle mod on her.Makes opening her up WAY quicker.

That screen is the MRA tinted Touring spoilerscreen.I ordered an MRA CLEAR regular spoilerscreen.I don't think it will have the cutouts in it...and it won't be sitting 'quite' as high as this one...though this one really isn't much higher than the stock screen really.Got the clear for filming.No cutouts...that'll be fine.Should create a tad more pressure on the frontend at speed....which is probably good!

I have to say...the suspension on this bike is very very good.You really can feel the setting changes immediately.And so far....changing it from 'std' factory settings(front only)has been really positive.It responds really well(feeling) to the small changes I've done so far.Very Nicely.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/23/2012 @ 10:14 PM *

with the touring screen where does the air hit you now.. how tall are ya?
sorry...for all the questions,, the more I read on this bike the more I'm praying to the finance gods

No big deal either way leo... i have what they want.

My money !!

* Last updated by: mark43 on 2/23/2012 @ 8:22 PM *

The wind actually kinda flows over ya...not really into you.I'm 6'1".....One thing...there's very little difference between the stock screen as far as wind protection.I put this MRA on there to see how the camera would act.If it would get buffeted.With the stock screen,the wind was catching the top of the camera and causing a little bit of vibration at speed...sometimes.Not always.Both screens create a pocket of very still air(relatively speaking)right on the pilot's face and chest.At least mine does.I have a rubber loop attached to my key.When I'm really rollin hard..the rubber loop will be 'blowing' to the front of the cockpit.The air is actually going the other way.Towards the front.So where I'm sitting...there is virtually no wind pushing on me at all.You can sit up on this bike way past 150 without feeling like you're getting pushed.A slight tuck...not even a full one and you're completely clear of any wind.

You can see they widened the fairing some,and shaped it a bit different,not just those two channels on the sides there,but the whole shape of the nose is more aerodynamic.It is very obvious once you start gaining speed...any where over 60 or so.Below that...it's just very smooth and quiet.Only the engine kinda whistling and the mufflers humming.Very cool sounding.Kinda reminds me of a turbine or something.You accelerate,and that sound just intensifies and picks up with the engine speed...but seamlessly smooth sounding.My 07 used to do something similar...but not to this level.And only when the outside temps were just right.You know you're on a tight running bike just listening to it.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/23/2012 @ 10:12 PM *

Nice... thanks for the explanation,, just to make sure I'm on the same page.. you didn't experience much of a difference between stock and the MRA touring spoiler screen, that at a slight tuck with either screen basically takes you out of the blast zone?

Yep....you got it.In fact,I just finished putting my stock screen back on.And my cam for possibly getting out today sometime.

Even with my 'screens' installed on my 07....it still wasn't as smooth as this bike windwise.IDK about anyone else...but IMO this bike is quite different in subtle ways.I also backed out 1/2 turn on my front preload....doesn't seem like much...but I can definitely feel a difference in ride quality even with these small adjustments.The suspension tuning on this bike is a lot more sensitive it feels to me.I ride a lot of the same roads year after year.Good roads.Easy to feel differences with different adjustments.I've memorized most of the dips and ripples and stuff like that.I can tell when something feels different.I know if I go into a certain corner or something how it feels at a given speed.This suspension is definitely better than my 07...even when it was new.The compression rates are different.The place where the springs compress and all inside the fork tubes is different.The ride is very smooth and plush feeling...but not anything like wallowing or pogo-ing at all.It feels firmly even as it rides over bumps and dips and such...but not in any way harsh or jarring.Front brake application while decelerating at a good clip does not produce a chassis upset or diving action.The frame and all pretty much stays level and stable.VERY NICE.I'm very happy with this bike.

The setting right now are 'std' according to the manual.I've no idea what the bike would ride like IF I loosened the preload(s) and such.I really don't intend to at this point....she feels really neutral and smooth.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/24/2012 @ 2:24 AM *

Grn.. Instead of just trying different settings with the preload, ever try to set up preload with your stats, then fine tune with comp and rebound. I find it with any bike that once you get preload down to your weight, it's easier to dial in the comp and rebound
again thanks for taking the time for these replies... the more I hear the more I'm interested.....but it's pointless for me to have 2 bikes

Listen to leo, grn. First crawl before you can walk. Crawl up on the seat. You do not need your gear on. Your weight is close enough for sagging. Sag the bike first. Then dial in the forks and rear.

For the more advanced chassis tuners, the trick is to zero out the rebound on one fork, wind out the compression on the other fork. My idea is to keep cranking things till you need to bring the other [screw out], needing screwing in. Make sense, we are still one fork tied as one?

That is the idea. Too scared to try it, then the conventional way is your safe move. No out of box tuning for use is.

Well Leo...normally I leave everything stock.THEN,I make adjustments one thing at a time.See how it feels.Then add or subtract another variable in there...see how that feels,then add or subtract the third variable...see how that feels.The stock settings for my size are very close to the manual settings listed as 'std'.So I don't go crazy adjusting a bunch of stuff to start out with.Like the preload.It's very well dialed in for my size.I can tell...the way she rides,corners...brakes.That goes for the rear as well.

One thing about this bike here...the adjustments are sensitive as I said.I can feel the differences pretty well.I believe Kawasaki has preset these adjustments with a decent rider and performance oriented settings.For my size and weight....I feel they are VERY on the mark for me.Maybe not for someone heavier,or whatever.But for me....I can feel how the bike is cornering,how it's behaving leaned in at various speeds and such.Braking in a curve...how she acts.Powering out...how she tracks and all.So far....she feels fine in all these situations.I think right now she's pretty well dialed in.I know some would say...'hell,you don't know what it should feel like...you've never...."

Granted,I've never track ridden.Never Dragged.But I've got plenty of great roads that I've run pretty hard.That's probably not saying much.But,Having my other zx,and a zx12 before that,I think I may have a pretty good idea of how these big birds 'should' feel given the kind of riding I do.IDK....

Right now...the weather here is in the high 30's.It's kind of hard to get an accurate feel for things because of the road surfaces and such.But she feels very good right now where I've got things set.Barely out of the manual settings for 'std'.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/24/2012 @ 3:00 PM *

I did that yrs ago leave everything stock and adj as I go....wrong way to go, when I was introduced to the magic of suspension set-up made a world of difference, trust me sag setting without a doubt is the very first thing that should be done, it transforms the bike, this was shown to me when I had a gixxer 600 I thought the bike the way it was, was the shit, but after the correct tweaks, I was amazed, it was completely different damn thing practically steered itself through long fast sweepers, although not as plush, but who cares man I was feelin pro
I had no clue back then and actually made some dangerous tweaks, that caused some close calls,,
not saying hey do it this way,, but it's worth just to try,, bring it to a shop pay the $40 and get in some suspenders 101... every new bike that I've got ever since the "discovery" the suspension set up is the very first thing I get done professionally, been through the cycles enough that I can do it myself, but for $40 bucks, I get dedicated pit crew and a few laps around the "local track" for fine tuning and advice....well worth it + once the springs break in I have the option to go back for a freeby tune, but like I said since I've been through it enough,, I know what to do without doubting myself.... you mentioned you are close to the standard settings, actually standard settings will be very dependent on your weight, so if factory settings are tailored for a 140# rider and you are 200# or the other way around then the factory settings are pointless..

BTW- I was at my local dealer this afternoon to renew insurance and change some personal info.
was able to check out the R... I'm gonna have to agree with ya it feels different, skinnier, bars feel closer, and from leaning it left to right feels less top heavy than my ninja 1000 (maybe due to lack of fuel) but either way
I'm now way interested in this thing, dude that I deal with was like "whenever your ready I have a black one waiting for you" (3 yrs straight bought black bikes from this dealer, guess he sees a pattern and preference) hope my current bike will sell hate doing trades

* Last updated by: leo167 on 2/24/2012 @ 6:29 PM *

Well...I've got a guy here that knows suspension.Probably give him a go come Spring.Can't hurt.Thanks for the advice there .

you won't regret it, enjoy....safe riding out there
hopefully soon for me

Hey Fellas ! I did it today. May be in the dog house with the wife but what the Hell you only live once! pick her up on March 5TH. can`t wait to get her on the German Autobahn...
oh yeah i`m cheating on my wife with mY ZX14R

* Last updated by: NINJARYDER on 2/25/2012 @ 10:42 AM *

Congrats on the new bike. You will love it!

@ryder congrats.. like they say it's esier to receive forgiveness than get permission (something like that)

When I went out this morning to clean my baby up from yesterday's blasts...I noticed the license plate had been bent forward...apparently the rear spring and all allowed the tire to hit the plate and bend it.Okay...not good.Methinks my preload is just a tad too soft back there.That's 3 and 1/2 inches from the tire center tread to the plate bottom edge.Static...just sitting with no load.Definitely gonna have to do something about it.That means the rear swingarm traveled vertically or whatever at least 3 and 1/2 inches...more actually to hit that plate.On acceleration.Any thoughts on this Leo?I don't know how much the chassis drops when I sit on her...probably at last an inch.Any advice I can do to correct this deal here at home?By myself?@ LEO or anyone really.

My understanding of the suspension(rear) is to decrease the sag,you need to increase preload,yes?To a point I mean.Without changing the shock links that is.?????

And that will 'probably' also mean some adjustment(s) on the rebound damping and compression damping settings.Maybe this 'squatting' behavior can be adjusted out with the compression settings only?IDK.She's handling very nicely as is.There is a pretty substantial shift in weight on acceleration with this bike.Even when hugging the tank,the power comes on REALLY QUICK....and just keeps increasing with throttle.She definitely wants to stand up.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/25/2012 @ 3:15 PM *

Leo! I agree with you 100%. It's not a big deal on your cruiser or harley type ride but on a sport bike, the suspensions have to be dialed in. I would say 90% of the sport riders have improper suspensions setting on their bikes. Upgraded mine and most of the things I thought the 14 couldn't do, she does easily. My springs are broken in, I'm going to get them readjusted next week for free. Best mods I've done, bar none. Guys you don't have to upgrade but get dialed in!

I noticed the license plate had been bent forward...apparently the rear spring and all allowed the tire to hit the plate and bend it.

"We knew we sent dis bike out too fast without enough HP or enough plate clearance, what ground clearance? So, our next model will have plenty of you said it."

That's why i like keeping the stock fender stock.. maybe just cut the plastic hangs down from bottom edge of plate.... just gas and go !

What's this will the talk about pipes , pc and stuff... i thought this bike was fast enough stock ?

For me it should be i will be coming off 66hp.. just gas . lube chain . oil changes and go.

and no overspray