Hi, I am new here. I have to be honest, I do not own a zx14r. I am considering three bikes; zx14r, z1000, and Ninja 1000. My most recent road bike was a 2011 Ninja 1000. I loved the upright seating but the seat sucked, the suspension was needy. The z1000 looks really cool and is fairly light... just don't know how I would like not having any wind protection. I love what I have read about the zx14r, but the local dealer does not allow test rides.

Let me get to the point; what scares me about the 14 is resale, insurance and comfort. I am 57, 6'3 245lbs. Can any body help with my biggest concern, comfort? I have sat on the bike... seems heavy. I can't really tell how much forward lean there is or how comfy it is just for 2-3 hr rides. Believe it or not the Ninja killed my butt after 1 hr. However, I have owned a VMax which is also heavy but the seat was comfy. I am sure this bike is more nimble than the vmax. Any input would be appreciated. TIA! BTW...the reason I mentioned resale is I don't usually keep road bikes for more than 3 years.

Btw, I had an OEM gel seat on the Ninja and it still sucked.

* Last updated by: MarkOne on 3/17/2016 @ 4:09 PM *

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I can't really tell how much forward lean there is

http://cycle-ergo.com/

Let me get to the point; what scares me about the 14 is resale, insurance and comfort.

I don't believe resale is too good on any Japanese sportbike. A hayabusa will not have the street cred of a 14 for performance but it might hold it's value better. Watching videos of the Hayabusa and the Gen2 14, it looks like the busa will offer acceleration and speed that is similar to the 14r but not quite as quick. A busa will be cheaper to insure too, i will bet. I'd get the 14r and go with liability. If that feels too risky, buy a used one a couple years old. I'm not a believer in bike insurance. Add up the premiums over the life of the bike, subtract resale and you just paid for that bike more than twice. I pay about a hundred / 6 months with liability and I'm 49.

The 14 is going to be less comfortable than a Vmax for most riders. If you're in decent shape and you like the bike, you should be able to go on a 200 mile trip but that's about as much as I want to do. It feels pretty good to get off the bike after 4 hours with one gas stop. The back of my legs gets sore but I live with it and I have gotten used to it. The busa is a little more forward in rider position but it doesn't make a lot of difference for me. Both of these bikes are more upright than a 1000 as I'm sure you know.

I find the busa and the Gen1 14 a little heavy at low speed. The busa is better at low speed than my 14. The seat is high and that sure makes all the difference when it comes to feeling the weight at a stoplight but you must have at least a 33" inseam so I doubt it will be anything you can't handle if you are reasonably careful.

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ZX14R and any other big bikes are hard to sell in used (and I guess new) market. Many buyers are scared and go with much lighter 600 sports or people with confidence in handling heavy staff till go with Connie or FJ. I can tell you that I don't regret buying ZX14R. I have been riding it for 18months and enjoyed every bit of it. It does have lean forward position but not as bad as race replica like GSXR or ZX10R. I have done a couple of 500 miles a day trips and yes got sore butt and leg cramps but that wasn't bad. I am much smaller than you, though. 5-8, 140lb.

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I bought a 2007 with 4K miles and have put close to 8k on it in the last 15 months. I am 56, 5 9 and 180 pounds. I put 1 inch risers on the bike. I regularly take 300 mile rides. I am in decent shape but have some back problems. I have had no real problems. I love the torque and very satisfied with the bike and don't find it too heave at all. I hope that helps !

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Thanks all. I am going to sit on a Kawai Z1000 and a Zx14r this weekend.

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Welcome Markone,
I am 58 , 6'3" and I find the 14 pretty comfy. For long trips we use a Connie 14 seat on it. Done 1700 miles with no problems. You can get bar risers or an LSL bar kit or Heli bars if you want less stretch to the bars. At a stop she is a heavy bike, but once moving the 14 is very nimble. I haven't found a bike I like better.

Mad

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I forgot to mention that I had 1.25" riser and Corbin seat. One of my 500 miles a day trips was on the OEM seat without the handle bar riser. Even with 1.25", it made a big difference. Corbin seat was also much better than the OEM. BTW, I am 58 years old. I am skinny and my butt doesn't have much meat. Some of you have extra 100% organic cushion right there

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14s are great bikes. Very comfortable bone stock even. They are about 90% the same ergos as the lightweight supersports, stretch to the bars and pegs aren't quite as high and rearward. I like to see 14s bought and sold, as I'd like a good reason for Kaw to keep making bikes like these. As far as weight, yes they are heavy but still very agile and manageable. I don't know what I can say compare it too. But I guess the steering doesn't make me think it's a 600 lb bike (stock).

You might also consider a Concours. Again I support people buying 14s but there's a lot of people that buy 14s imo would be better off with a Concours especially if you're mostly into touring stuff.

Does the 2015 zx14r have the slipper clutch?????

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Yes, '12 up all have slipper. Maybe someone can clarify this for sure, but I believe this was new to 14s with Gen 2.

Picking up my new to me 2015 ZX 14 next week!. What is the best risers to buy? I am 5'7" 160 pounds if that makes an impact. Thanks
A.J.

congrats on the new bike!

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I came from a 2012 Ninja 1000 (fully done up with Ohlins suspension, ECU Flash by Ivan's, Full Yosh exhaust bla bla bla), best all round bike I have ever owned. The Sargent seat made a massive difference, and I would regularly do 600 mile days on that thing. I am 53, 6'0" tall and 215lbs. I actually put lower bars on it.

Bought a 2014 new ZX14R in October, but a full Yosh single sided system on it, and 1" bar risers. The risers make a huge difference on comfort, as dis rearset blocks that pushed the pegs back 1.5".

The 14 easily has the smoothest powerplant of any bike I have ridden (I've owned 15 n total over 25 years). Yeah, its hideous to look at from the rear, but every other angle it really grows on you.

Resale? I wouldn't expect much in that department. Heck, Liter bikes are tough enough to move these days, unless its a Panigale (Vancouver BC market full of posers), but I picked mine up ridiculous cheap, and plan to keep it for a good 3 years, so in the end I was like "who cares"

I haven't noticed any issues with the seat, other than it looks ugly and plain. I may just get it recovered and have them build up the tailbone section an inch as I find the seat too long.

Hi All, I am new to this Forum and just wanted to stop by and say hello.
Here is a lil info about me: I am 31 years old and own a 2007 zx14r. I used to own a 2004 zx10 but I out grew that bike lol im a big guy you know. LOL just want to say thanks for having me and have a great day

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