Gday All.
Getting my new to me, bikes suspension worked on after a previous ZX14r nearly saw my demise. !!
I’d been grinding away foot pegs, onto scraping lower fairings, even the oil sight window.
Off I went one day, in Feb 16, thinking I’ll take things easy, I know I’m close to THE limit.
I did so, but then a tightening left hand corner saw me shoving it in, as required, both wheels lifted, the rest is history & I recieved a just deserved helicopter ?? ride !
Moral of the story, if your like me, love the twisties, like a punt along, getting on in years & don’t tend to hang off a bike any more.
Do yourself a favour & get to an expert, not a wannabe, to get the bouncy bits beefed up.
I’m around 200 US pounds, 88 kgs.
Mine has a TTX rear shock with a 115 spring that’s now been played with to lengthen a wee bit.
Front end re sprung ( heavier ), a couple of shims removed, from under the top out springs, & serviced.
Forks dropped thru the triple clamps to match the rear lengthening, gaining much needed ground clearance at both ends.
Proof of the pudding will be in the eating of course, I haven’t been out on her yet.
I’ll report back. I’m assured there’s no way I’ll be scraping things again. NO collapsing front end.
Excellent, as that was my No.1 request
SAFETY. & ground clearance.
Oh & p.s. the Original P.E. rear TTX has a large ORANGE rubber bump stop built into it, limiting travel to 60mm before said rubber starts getting compressed, I’d guess Kawasaki realise things will be scraping the black top ?
Then again why put soft springs up front ? Because most users won’t be compressing things too hard braking into corners?
The odd few, ( hard ) user,s beware.

* Last updated by: banknyank on 2/24/2021 @ 2:26 AM *

I knew of a guy who could drag the fairings on his 14R at the track and he never complained about clearance.

I think riding style has a lot to do with it. Certainly putting in better suspension is always a good idea for hard usage.

I do know he gave up on the 14r and went with a 10 for track usage.

BB

You might want to look into some rear shock links that will raise he tail. That will give you a little more clearance even closer to the front and it will improve handling too. Soupies Links adjust to raise or lower. You might be able to fab a set of links out of plate aluminum. I saw pics of links a guy made this way to lower his 14.

Aren't you essentially worsening the rock solid handling stability our bikes are known for, by significantly raising the CoG of yours?

If you're leaning with your body first, then the bike, how incredibly tight are those twisties and how fast are you going through them that you were scraping the oil sight window of all things (yikes!)? That is beyond elbow-draggig territory and on the street, it could end MUCH worse than a helicopter ride, either for you or the helpless passerby scooting along on their bike in the opposite direction.

* Last updated by: ManiZ on 2/25/2021 @ 9:04 AM *

Busabim, years ago I tried a ZX10 myself, never gelled with that bike, didn’t keep it very long, no doubt it would be a great track bike but on the road with all the power way up in the Rev range & not a lot of torque, it wasn’t doing it for me.
My other current bike is a Multistrada good ground clearance & torque again.

Rook, I’d thought of lifting the rear end more than the front myself but, after consultations with my suspension guy,
his take on the situation is that by doing that it would then load up the front end too much & exacerbate the situation & could lead to a front end tuck, so close to equal lift in both ends it is & beef up the front end are his main recommendations.
So I’m going with that.
Wheel see ?
& he,s fitting up the ABM Cowhorns handlebars kit for me.

I do know he gave up on the 14r and went with a 10 for track usage.

I myself kept the 14 for street and added a zx10 for the track

Hate to tell ya, the 14 just will not handle that aggressive of riding. Doesn't
matter what you do to the suspension or changing the geometry.

The suspension, brakes, clutch, will all fail and you will die.

It just weights to much. Hurling 800lbs around twisties dragging a knee
is just asking for it.

It's like trying to take the 14 to the track. I'd never take my 14
to the track. It can't keep up/handle it and it will fail and I'd get hurt
and wreck my bike.

Get a different bike and keep the 14 too.

It just weights to much. Hurling 800lbs around twisties dragging a knee
is just asking for it.

PIKEN HAS IT!

I sat on an R1 and flipped that between the legs. Those are the type bikes they are on in the weight category. That's why I'm dead last on a fast ride. And another time I was not last, but kept the rider in view [in the mirror] just to keep and eye on him. I went fast enough to keep him as a dot in the mirror so he'd never catch up to me. When we stopped, he gave me the thumb's up.

Not saying you can't flip it around, just saying, 'it's just asking for it' in so many turns. Did I lose the front end heading down the snake? Only the guy in back of me witnessed it for sure.

ManiZ, I wouldn’t call a 10 to 12mm matched rise each end as too significant myself.
The geometry won’t be hugely altered therefore.
Stability retained, ground clearance improved.

Scraping :- was happening not at a constant lean angle at a said speed, no.
But caused by suspension failure while, being cranked over in tight corners & going through a dip / depression in the road surface at the same time, which over loads the suspension, particularly the undersprung front end, causing the overloading / collapsing.

So to recap,
I’m just after the best a 1441 can deliver but safely of course.
More ground clearance.
Minimal change if any to geometry
Sprung to prevent front end collapse in road depressions.
A safer bike overall to my mind.

I'm sure all of Australia doesn't have the same kinds of roads but I hear a number of Aussie riders speak of having no chicken strips. There must be a lot of great roads and I imagine many Aussies ride all year.

Rook, I’d thought of lifting the rear end more than the front myself but, after consultations with my suspension guy,
his take on the situation is that by doing that it would then load up the front end too much & exacerbate the situation & could lead to a front end tuck, so close to equal lift in both ends it is & beef up the front end are his main recommendations.
So I’m going with that.

Yea, kinda spoilt Rook.
Note: Yellow road markings, needed above the snow line in winter, yep, snow in Oz.
Off to Tasmania on the overnight ferry again ( 10 hrs each way ) in a couple of weeks, now that’s heaven on any bike.
Photos from a recent Duc Multistrada too, trip over the high country.

* Last updated by: banknyank on 2/26/2021 @ 9:41 PM *

Well, shes like a completely different bike now.
First thing i noticed is the side stands strangely shorter, but NO the bikes taller of course, both ends.
MUCH firmer up the front end & now balanced with the rear Ohlins.
A cliche I know, but she’s on rails.
It’s like think / look, where you want to be, & your there, but without all the diving / squished front end.

Faster action suspension.
Supported.
But at the same time not harsh.
Just plain RIGHT.
HAPPY now. You betcha.
Love the ABM bars set up too, can recommend.
She’s a keeper this time.
Ground Clearance YEP
Handling YEP
Awesome TORQUE YEP
Job Done.
Years of Swerveree lye ahead of oneself on this 1441.
Can you tell I’m HAPPY ?

* Last updated by: banknyank on 3/4/2021 @ 11:22 AM *

Good to hear. Bike looks awesome, enjoy.

Dave

* Last updated by: david5525 on 3/4/2021 @ 1:23 PM *

As a street ride, I dont think there is a better all rounder once you upgrade the suspension ( for hard use). The ABM /LSL triple bar makes the bike so much better to steer as well.

The H2 sx se+ that I rode reminded me of a blown 1000, which it is gutless at low revs. The suspension was definitely much better but I think the bike has a higher center of gravity.

I dont think there is much to switch to that has all the benefits of a large normally aspirated motor. Remove 40 or 50 pounds( easily achieved with light exhaust) and battery swap and you are in another performance level.

KawyBim ( lol)

* Last updated by: busabim on 3/8/2021 @ 9:10 AM *

Incase anyone’s interested enuf.
I have a chart for recommended fork spring rates by Ohlins
There recommending springs from 9Nmm up to 11Nmm depending on rider / body weight.
It’s not covering more than your average weight of BIKE I’d suggest.
Huge variation there, are we talking a 250 learner bike or a heavy weight loaded touring bike ?

My 2019 PE 14 had 10 weight springs as standard, not enuf ?
The guy doing my suspension tried 13 weight & said they weren’t enough, after he test ride it.
So now there’s 15,s in there.
Valving untouched, good as is.
It’s MASSIVELY improved.
Not for all, no doubt.
Suits me perfectly.
Not harsh. Supported. Im 200lb or 88kg ish

* Last updated by: banknyank on 3/6/2021 @ 10:21 PM *

when I ordered my Ohlins TTX they said I had the heaviest spring that would fit on the shock and that maxed out at 180 lbs. With hard bags and gear and I am a lot more , without I am 190 ish.

I did have the correct sag set with a known number of turns on the preload so I know when I am not carrying bags that

I have the correct rear sag. Fitted spring is stock 01092-41 (Y)

[url=https://www.ohlins.com/product-item/52499/Ohlins KA 128 link[/url]

If there was a stiffer option im pissed as it was a racing ohlins shop in California.

BB

* Last updated by: busabim on 3/7/2021 @ 8:52 AM *

BB. The numbers in my last post refer to the FORK springs
10 up to 15 weight springs
My bike had an Ohlins as standard with a 115 weight spring
I thought it a bit too harsh
But now the front end is sorted it matches the rear end perfectly
Amazes me how Kawasaki can put such contrasting gear in opposing ends of the same bike ?
Just done another couple of hundred clicks on her, she’s AWESOME

The numbers in my last post refer to the FORK springsI missed the word fork , lol

The tuner who adjusted my front end ( I believe) used the stock springs. I weigh 180 , and I was able to get the correct sag in the front.

BB

* Last updated by: busabim on 3/8/2021 @ 9:08 AM *

BB, if your not running out of ground clearance I wouldn’t stress it.
I was talking yesterday with a guy who was a salesman at a Kawasaki dealership when the Gen2 1441 1st arrived, 2012.
His words were :-
I remember when they arrived, we had to stiffen up the front end on all of them, they were way too soft.
Crazy on such a heavy Girl

Busabim:
"when I ordered my Ohlins TTX they said I had the heaviest spring that would fit on the shock and that maxed out at 180 lbs. With hard bags and gear and I am a lot more , without I am 190 ish.
I did have the correct sag set with a known number of turns on the preload so I know when I am not carrying bags that
I have the correct rear sag. Fitted spring is stock 01092-41 (Y)
[url=https://www.ohlins.com/product-item/52499/Ohlins KA 128 link[/url]
If there was a stiffer option im pissed as it was a racing ohlins shop in California."

I have 2 springs for my TTX and tried both.
I preferred the stock spring and have it set with 5 clicks of preload for solo riding.
I add 5 clicks for my Givi's and add 10 clicks for the wife.
The stiffer spring was a bit to stiff with no preload although it handled great on smooth roads.
That springs number is 01092-49/130 L0512.
Ohlins USA said it was the next stronger spring available for the TTX.
They also said there should have been 1 between the 2 springs but Ohlins doesn't offer it.
Stock springs in the front and the front has been serviced.
Suspension was set up by Washington Cycle, a pro shop in NJ.
I was 185lbs + gear when it was set. I gained some Covid weight but its still fine.
Hope that helps.
Hank

The late Kevin Ash had our 2012 ZX14r leaning really low.
Enjoy your Country's back roads.

http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/kawasaki-zzr1400-zx-14-review

Hobart to Strath Gordon dam / Lake Pedder, Tasmania
In a word AWESOME
22 deg, place almost completely to myself
Feeling Very lucky in these weird times we’re going thru
1441 doing it’s thing

* Last updated by: banknyank on 3/16/2021 @ 11:33 PM *

Wow..REAL Lucky.. I am sitting here in teh middle of rain storms :) Nice pics and Very cool dam !!

Thanx Chrly.

After a perfect weeks weather while away in Tasmania, on some amazing roads, getting RIGHT INTO IT!
Over 3,000klm covered.
Today I was out locally in the rain
& I got to thinking
How would I now describe my 1441 ?
In a few short words
& it came to me

( She’s like a sledge hammer that’s wearing ballet shoes. )

There’s not another bike I’ve enjoyed more & im lucky enuf to be up to number 24, in my decades of riding
No.3 ZX14R
It’s just taken a good while to find the RIGHT suspension guy, who was willing to go the extra mile, with things like To really listen to me initially & then :-
A 1st test ride to witness my issues with the front end.
A second test ride to find it still wasn’t perfect
& a final test ride to prove the point.
Money well spent.
A BIG thank you to Darren at Race Center, Brunswick in Melbourne Australia,
I’m indebted to you Sir.

* Last updated by: banknyank on 3/24/2021 @ 12:22 PM *