Hi All, Great site. Lots of good information. I'm looking at buying a used 2008 ZX14. It has 6100 miles on it. The seller has replaced the rear tire but the front is stock and worn. It looks a little more worn on the left side. Causes? Ideas? He was nice enough to let me take it for a ride and I noticed that when I took my hands off the bars to see if it was tracking straight, which it was, that there was some slight shaking of the handlebars. Not something I felt with my hands on the bars though. Is this just because of the worn tire or could there be something else wrong? I've seen lot of opinions about tires. I'm looking to put some highway miles on it as I have a 40 mile commute one way. Any recommendations? It has a Yosh R77 full system with a PC. Awesome sound! Started fine from a cold start with maybe a couple of hiccups but no odd noises. After it warmed up it settled at about 1100 rpms. I noticed during the ride that when getting off the gas at a good clip it backfires a little. He did it while revving the bike when parked. He told me that this is common for aftermarket exhausts. Right? Wrong? He said it has a 2 tooth rear sprocket?? He said it was done for more low end torque. Could you give me any info on this. I noticed a bit of wetness, oil?, right at the valve cover gasket. Not dripping. Anything to be concerned about? The price seems right. He asking $6500. I live in RI. The bike is kept indoor during the winter but kept under a cover outdoors during the riding season. Definitely not in pristine condition. Missing a few screws that attach the fairing to the frame. He said they vibrated off but just hasn't had the time to replace them. Two oil changes done but nothing else. Paints in good shape. He said it has never been down and it appears that way. Thanks for any info or advice you can provide. BTW, What a rush it was to ride this bike.

It looks a little more worn on the left side.

If the chickenn strip is smaller, might be that he corners harder to the left.

slight shaking of the handlebars.

Heard of that before. Tire cupping caused by the mighty front brakes on the 14.

I'm looking to put some highway miles on it as I have a 40 mile commute one way. Any recommendations?

Avon Storms. Not a sticky tire but decent traction and wel liked for long ware +one of the coolest tread patterns ,IMO.

when getting off the gas at a good clip it backfires a little. He did it while revving the bike when parked. He told me that this is common for aftermarket exhausts. Right? Wrong?

Right. Mine does it too. Block PAIR or install blockoff plates and that will reduce the decel pop.

He said it has a 2 tooth rear sprocket??

He means +2 T on the back sprocket. It's a 43 T which prolly makes a small difference. Will rev a bit higher to maintain a given speed. Increases accelleration down low but even more high revving. It is a simple gearing change. Does not actually change the torque output but changes the ratio between front and back. Stronger accelleration but lower top speed (43 T may still be capable of 190 - 200?) I have a 45 T and I would say I rev about 600 rpm higher than a stock 41T to maintain highway speed. Not bad. Uses more gas and is more wound up. Nice for sport riding. A 43 T prolly will not make a huge dif from stock.

I noticed a bit of wetness, oil?, right at the valve cover gasket. Not dripping. Anything to be concerned about?

I have too. Only after the bike sits for a long time in storage. When I ride eb=very day, the oil burns off. We need a new valve cover gasket. Common problem.

$6500.

Sounds fair but that valve cover is going to be a lot of work. 6000 miles seems a bit low to be loosing that much oil that you can see it. I never saw mine until 14,000. Go for 6K$. I actually think you might get it for 5K (Maybe?) because this guy doesn't seem to to appreciate it much if he never got around to picking up a few fairing screws.

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The head shake is almost certainly due to the worn front tire. I have a Yosh system and mine pops on decel, I kinda like it.( I imagine I am on a Superbike...Wrooom...pop...pop...)
Several other peeps here have cured the oil leaking from the valve cover by putting a washer under the cover bolt heads.
Sounds like a pretty good deal. I think you'll be happy with it. Keep us posted!

Mad

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I'm looking to put some highway miles on it as I have a 40 mile commute one way.

The ZX14 can say commute, brother!

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Buy buy buy we will help you fix her up! P.S. get some pictures and post if you can.

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Rayjs1, Welcome, I'd be a bit more concerned about changing the oil only 2 times in 6100 miles and maybe 3 riding seasons!

The 6100 miles sounds not bad but three year old oil sounds like he doesn't know or give a crap. I wouldn't be too concerned if you are confident that the bike was not abused during riding. 6000 miles is not much use to cause harm the motors are built to take a fair amount of abuse.

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Hey Boobs,
I dig that luggage. Mine's gonna look just like that come bonus time first of the year. I travel every week, and I really need that set up.

Best part is you never 'feel' it back there. Until you look in a mirror...

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JFYI, If you're a bigger guy I suggest beefing up the rear shock to handle the extra weight. A cheap quick fix is swapping out for a Busa spring. i forget what year unfortunately...

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