Took the bike out yesterday, as it was around 60 degrees, riding down the highway and the bike sounded funny and throttle didn't feel right. Let off the throttle, seemed OK, and resumed giving it gas, nothing crazy just kept it around the speed limit, heard a loud noise after giving it gas again. Thought it was my rear tire, checked my mirrors to get over, and a ton of white smoke. After I pulled over, and some random guy behind me followed me telling me there was oil everywhere, I inspected and found the engine now has a sizeable hole... Wonderful. She's dead Jim. Not sure if I got a lemon or what happened, bike only had about 6-7k miles on it in the 3 years I owned it. Guess I am looking for a, new bike for Christmas. :(

Did you buy it new and what year is it ?

Bought it new in 2017,it was a 2016 SE zx14r.

Very unusual. I'd contact the dealer or Kawasaki.

Mad

Outside of a warranty, is anyone really going to do anything? I am waiting to see if my insurance company is taking care of me then I may call.

If it's not covered by warranty anymore, I don't think so. Don't feel bad because I heard of them not taking responsibility for this even while they were under warranty. I'm glad you were not injured. Sorry about the bike though. I'd still go with a new 14R though.

You know, that was what I was curious about. Asked a few people, "Do you buy a new bike, the exact same bike, after an engine blows?" I love the bike and honestly I don't have an answer. My biking needs have changed, my daughter enjoys riding as does my wife, neither are super fond of the back of the ZX. Before this happened I was looking at adding a different bike to the garage, now if it's marked as a total loss do I jump back into a zx14r or just go for something else more comfortable for them.

"Do you buy a new bike, the exact same bike, after an engine blows?"

Firstly, not that it makes any of this any better for you, but you can consider yourself extremely unlucky.

Secondly, I know exactly what you are going through.
It will never happen to me.

After this experience and a big rethink, I knew that I had never riden a better motorcycle for me. I also did a fair amount of research after the event showing that what had happened was extremely rare and unlikely to repeat.
Therefore I decided to change the engine on a bike I had already put so much effort into.
2006-->2009 Engine Swap

I am such a 14 fan I then upgraded to a Gen 2 14R.
2007 ZX-14 to 2012 ZX-14R???

After all I have been through, I am extremely happy with my decisions to remain with the ZX-14 and in the end it was all worth it for me.

Only you can make the call but all the best with the way forward for yourself...

P.S.
Unfortunately I had zero luck with Kawasaki Australia assisting and insurance companies did not come to the party.

* Last updated by: yannih on 12/21/2020 @ 9:27 PM *

Firstly, not that it makes any of this any better for you, but you can consider yourself extremely unlucky.

Yeah I imagine this is all it is. I do imagine I may pick up another zx14r, however I loathe green and that is all I can find. However, that may change as my wife does want me to look at a bike she is more comfortable on. There aren't a ton of choices for us anymore, it's either a zx14r or a busa... A friend of mine has a busa and wishes he had bought a 14.

For most people in the market for a brand new hyperbike, I don't see why they would go with the busa over the 14R. I'm a little amazed anyone can sell a new busa after 8 years of the 14R.

If you're not tall you may find the reach to the bars kinda long on the Busa.
And not as easy to modify the bars.

Mad

You own both a Busa and a ZX14 don't you Rook?? What keeps you in the Busa owner column. Never owned one but I sure respect them.

For most people in the market for a brand new hyperbike, I don't see why they would go with the busa over the 14R. I'm a little amazed anyone can sell a new busa after 8 years of the 14R.

This right here is why I didn't initially even look at a busa, that and the busa remains mostly unchanged, or all the way unchanged, for the past decade?

with all due respect captaispiff cuase i dont know you from chinola, that has got to be the stupdist reason for not snatching up a busa, the fact that its gone unchanged. why change it if it works. at the end of the day its the indian not the arrow.

and if your wife and daughter want more comfort then get you a rock crawler and take them both out with a cooler, drinks and snaks, maybe even the dog, and a few wool blankets.

get another 14 foolish.

and also forgot to ask where you at on the map?

* Last updated by: streetsweeper on 1/2/2021 @ 11:30 PM *

Very sucky and unfortunate, man. But I can tell you with 100% certainty that if my '13 with 11k miles did the same I'd buy a new ZX14R. Don't get me wrong, I'd be pissed, but I believe from all I've read that a failure like that is very rare. And like Yannih there's no better bike out there for me.

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 1/3/2021 @ 10:40 PM *

IMHO a 14 is the best available sport-touring option at this point... it comfortably accommodates my 6'6" frame and delivers the necessary torque to get out of trouble, whenever needed...
it also comes with an added perk, crucial for the hot & humid climate here: with a half-opened leather jacket zipper, the leaning-forward position will ensure an excellent ventilation...

with all due respect captaispiff cuase i dont know you from chinola, that has got to be the stupdist reason for not snatching up a busa, the fact that its gone unchanged. why change it if it works. at the end of the day its the indian not the arrow.

and if your wife and daughter want more comfort then get you a rock crawler and take them both out with a cooler, drinks and snaks, maybe even the dog, and a few wool blankets.

get another 14 foolish.

and also forgot to ask where you at on the map?

I like to see technology advance in motorcycles. Had a 93 VFR, great bike, but I wanted more, Honda didn't update that platform worth a damn, no I don't consider the 800 interceptor with vetech (eww) to be an upgrade. I won't be snapping up a busa after hearing from a close friend, he rode my 14r, saying he wished he had got the 14r over the busa.

That being said, dealership is waiting to hear back from Kawasaki on a crate engine. If they want to slap one in there I'll take a new engine for sure. If not I may look back at a 14r.

Bike got paid off by insurance today, so I am officially bikeless and bike shopping. ZX14r is back on the short list. :)

Congrats! (I think ??)

So I went back and reread some of your posts. Since your wife and daughter like riding but not on the ZX ... well, I'd get a new ZX

I kid! Just kidding! I'd look at something where you, and therefore them, sit more upright. Maybe the Ninja 1000SX could work, although its passenger seat is pretty high. Maybe a Z900RS? Ducati Multistrada? BMW R1250RS ... S 1000 XR

Personally I don't like any of them as much as the big ZX, but if you do want the ladies to be comfortable, ya might wanna consider.

Fun searching shopping looking .. let us know what ya git

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 1/12/2021 @ 5:43 PM *

Congrats! (I think ??)

So I went back and reread some of your posts. Since your wife and daughter like riding but not on the ZX ... well, I'd get a new ZX

I kid! Just kidding! I'd look at something where you, and therefore them, sit more upright. Maybe the Ninja 1000SX could work, although its passenger seat is pretty high. Maybe a Z900RS? Ducati Multistrada? BMW R1250RS ... S 1000 XR

Personally I don't like any of them as much as the big ZX, but if you do want the ladies to be comfortable, ya might wanna consider.

Fun searching shopping looking .. let us know what ya git

It's pretty bitter sweet, I really liked my 2016, I had the SE so it was the matte metallic grey. You know after talking to my wife, she isn't even sure how much she will be able to ride, we have a soon to be 3 year old. She told me just to get whatever I want. My daughter, 14 going on 40, liked the zx14 just fine, so I am thinking when the dealership here gets the 2021's in I want to put my eyes on the new colorway. It is definitely unique this year and while I am not usually a fan of green, this green is just accents so it may not be all that bad. Then the modding adventure begins again. I had full yoshimura R55 exhaust on my 16 which I liked, this time I may do something else, Akra is nice but it's high, had it on my tuono and loved it. So we will see when the dealership gets the new 14r's in. The new zx10r's are nice but a different bike entirely, Kawasaki went and put cruise control on a supersport but wouldn't do that for the last year of the 14r's...such a pity.

ZX10 w/ cruise and ZX14 without ... nutz, huh?

ZX10 w/ cruise and ZX14 without ... nutz, huh?

You can even get stock heated grips on that thing. Friend of mine is trading his busa in for a zx10r, or rather is about to.

CaptaiSpiff,

Good luck with your search, there are so many good bikes out there to pick from. The first thing that came to mind is considering two bikes, not one. If cash is a concern, look used. Then you can have the ZX and a family oriented bike. That is what I have come to, a bike for me and the wife, and the ZX for me.

There are others that may cross over like the Concours 14, had one and the seat sucked, always pushing me forward onto the tank and squishing my boys. Other than that it was a great bike.

While this experience sucks and costs money, it's a great opportunity to experience something new! I'm excited for you, looking forward to hearing your decision.

Good hunting,
JB

CaptaiSpiff,

Good luck with your search, there are so many good bikes out there to pick from. The first thing that came to mind is considering two bikes, not one. If cash is a concern, look used. Then you can have the ZX and a family oriented bike. That is what I have come to, a bike for me and the wife, and the ZX for me.

There are others that may cross over like the Concours 14, had one and the seat sucked, always pushing me forward onto the tank and squishing my boys. Other than that it was a great bike.

While this experience sucks and costs money, it's a great opportunity to experience something new! I'm excited for you, looking forward to hearing your decision.

Good hunting,
JB

I did think about that, and I think that will be the plan in the future. I have a few bikes on the short list but have yet to put my eyes on them in person, kind of waiting on the weather to get warmer...eventually.