I'm new here so hi. I'm use to Supersports. My last bike was a rate 1999 R7 owo2. I was wanting a new R1 but I'm not 185 pounds anymore I'm 235 and my gf will want to ride as well. With kawa 60 month financing on new zx14s I've really been thinking about getting that. I'm just not sure which route to go here.

What makes this a hyperbike is it's broad range and versatility. It really can do it all in rather spectacular fashion. First there's the looks. TBH I wasn't too hot on the looks when I first got mine. As I spent more time in the garage though that changed. The lines started to meld in my mind. The lines of this bike are really amazing.

It handles great. The stock suspension is very capable. Set it up just like you'd set any other bike. Set your sag and all that. This bike can absolutely boogie woogie around curves. I ride in some very light locations and I'm sure it would be different on a lightweight but I'm not sure I'd actually be any faster. I drag my pegs, have scraped body work and even an engine cover (once).

The motor is insane. But what makes it inane is the broad as the sky torque band. There's power any gear at any rpm. at around 80 mph it'll be turnin 4k in 6th. Crack the throttle open and within seconds warp speed. No need to shift down...just go!

Steering is light. This bike is heavy (for a sportbike). The stock tires will leave you with some impression the bike is difficult to slog around corners. Put some better performance oriented tires on there, the transformation is nearly magical. Q3s, M7RRs, Rosso IIs (or IIIs), will transform the perception of how this bike feels overall. I will say after the last couple days of riding, Rosso IIs are freakishly awesome and some of the lightest steering tires I've had on there. A lot of people put 55s on there too. I think with these Rosso IIs, 55 rear might be a little much but I'm digging it!

So it does all this extremely well. If you want a drag bike it can do that spectacularly. If you want a sport bike it can do that spectacularly. If you want to cruise in comfort and style it can do that spectacularly. If you want fun it'll do that spectacularly.

I ride in some very light locations and I'm sure it would be different on a lightweight but I'm not sure I'd actually be any faster.

I'd agree with Vic's statement. I've never ridden a smaller sport bike but I've taken a lot of weight off of this bike. It feels different but I can't tell that the weight loss has translated into a dramatic difference in cornering performance. My Hayabusa which has very few weightloss mods corners at the same speed. I also have a friend who owns 5 sport bikes from a zx-6 to a zx-14. He rides them back to back and he says he corners at about the same speed on all of them doing maybe 2 mph faster on the 600.

If you are looking for a track only bike, I think the smaller bike would be a lot more of a concern but for what you mentioned, a 14 will be a lot better choice.

...and from what I have seen, the 2015 R1 isn't all that. I saw a video where it got left behind by a couple H2s. The S1000 seems far more competitive in straightline speed which I find remarkable considering the H2 is supercharged.

...whatever happened to the H2, btw?

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/17/2016 @ 7:42 AM *

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Thank you that was very insightful. Saw a red one over the weekend that looked very nice. Is there a starting year that was better then a previous year? Meaning in such and such year range is one I should be looking for?

I don't think there is any dif between 14r from 2012 to present except some models may have the Ohlins rear suspension and others may not. Check also for ABS and traction control. IDK if that was standard equip on all years. Everything else would be the same.

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Do you know what changes the 2012 got opposed to earlier models? I am wanting to buy one for less then 10k cash... Also is ABS and traction control a must and can tell a big difference?

06-07 was a tad lighter and they claim a couple hp stronger on top. 08-11 got minor changes like revised injectors and piston dome and reduced mechanical noise, bigger exhuast ports.. A few other pretty insignificant changes like longer radiator hose. Flies open sooner on the 08-11. I really don't think there is enough dif between any of the 06-11 14s to justify choosing one over the other. Remove flies and remap and they're the same bike. If you're more of a guy to stay with stock, I would insist on 08-11 though because the slow opening flies on the 06-07 restricted full power up to 6000 rpm and then it would hit you over the head. A lot of people felt it was not safe with flies in and stock fueling. This bike runs too good at 3000 rpm to not have full control of it's full potential down low so go with an 08-11 bike if you are staying stock.

The gen2 is the current bike and it is a total redesign. 2012-present. Restyled fairings, different frame, front suspension was probably improved a bit. Some will have an Ohlins rear shock which will be better than the Gen1 shock. The engine is stronger. About 70 cc bigger. Cooling system is better. A little bit longer and heavier but they say it handles better than the Gen1. I'm sure the ABS and traction control are reassuring but I don't have them and I manage. I'm sure I would value those if I had them but being careful and using common sense is probably still the main line of defense. The throttle is smooth and predictable so there should be no problems with controlling that by your wrist, alone. If the road is wet or otherwise has poor conditions, you don't push it. You know the song, "You don't tug on Superman's cape..."? That's the 14. Don't do stuff you know you shouldn't do. But after all is said and done, sure, I'd like to have TC and ABS just in case. It would let you test the limits safer but I don't think it's a necessity. Also, it still doesn't guarantee that you will avoid a crash. Just a little insurance.

The Gen2 is a better bike, no doubt. Some say it is only slightly better. If you want a 14 for under 10k, I'd think you'd find a 12-14 for that price.

If I had the money for a gen2, I'm not sure I'd feel I had to switch up yet. I think a modded Gen2 would beat me in a race but I don't think it would be more than a couple bike lengths. I saw a video of a Gen2 busa and 14r run back to back over the same course and there was no appreciable difference in time it took to cover the same ground.

Both launch from exactly the same point. Go ahead and pause it at the moment of launch for both and pause again when each crosses the bridge where the guard rail drops. They have both hit top speed well before that. busa 22 seconds : 14R 22 seconds. Use the timer on the video. I'm sure there is a difference of tenths/second but that's for competition racing. Point is, do you need to have a 14 that will be as fast to top speed as the busa or are you ok with a couple seconds slower? The 14R is a great bike but I don't think it's leaps and bounds better than the Gen1.

Here's the video. Of course, we're comparing a busa to a 14r, not a 14 to a 14R. The point is there is not a lot of difference in speed between the old technology and the latest and greatest. The busa was faster to to pspeed than the Gen1 14. 13 seconds v 11 seconds according to the official test. IDK what that is worth because this guy just made a decent launch and he took 22 seconds. Check out quarter mile trap speed and time between the 06 and the Gen2. They're about the same. Now I go hide.

Now if you're thinking about a busa, great bike if you can stand the looks (Personally I like) crappy brakes. Brakes upgradede to Brembos in about 2014 but still not top shelf.

I'm sure this is not the end of the discussion. Keep the questions coming. You have my opinion.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/20/2016 @ 5:35 PM *

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I agree with Rook. I wouldn't be likely to "upgrade" to a Gen 2 unless I wanted a new bike anyway, so it wouldn't really be upgrading as much as just getting a new bike. If I was in the market for a new bike I would primarily consider Gen 2 though unless they weren't in my budget range. You can find Gen 2 well below 10k at this point, so they are in your budget.

As far as ABS '14+ are all ABS. '13s it was optional. All Gen 2s have KTRC. The value of them is really personal choice. IMO they are both possibly best applicable to wet weather riders, it's really where they'll have the most value. My bike doens't have ABS, and I rarely run with KTRC on (basically if I forget to turn it off) and have been caught in rain a few times and never had an issue. Yes these bikes have monster power and brakes and could easily lose traction in the wet, however smooth inputs and you'll no problems just like a moped.

IMO if two identical bikes with nearly the same price I'd choose the one with ABS. If there were two bikes and the one was a color I liked better but didn't have ABS, I'd still choose it. IMO ABS just doesn't quite add the value it does in autos (which are driven in wet, snow, icy conditions) but it does have some value. Again I'm like Rook, even my next motorcycle if the model didn't have ABS it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

IDK what that is worth because this guy just made a decent launch and he took 22 seconds.

Actually. they both took 22 seconds to cross the brigde. 0-top speed was 17 seconds and 15 seconds by the speedo. The busa looks like it pinned the speedo in less time. If you look at the exact location and time where the busa tops out, it's 11 seconds just as had been documented back in 2008. The 14R is still accelerating at that point and it takes no less than an additional 6 seconds to top out. I can't explain how the busa didn't cross the bridge in less time unless there are some speedo issues. It's probable that the 14 takes longer to top out but actually reaches a higher rate of speed even though the speedos on both bikes seem to be registering 190. Regardless of what the speedos tell us, the busa covers the same ground in a few seconds less time. Maybe it was 3/8 mile mile. After the crossing the bridge, they even up. I think the 14R would have been decimated in a quarter mile but then reeled him in after a half mile and passed. I'd have to watch the video again and see how much time it took them to actually finish the corner. Maybe today after work.

The the 14 runs wide open through two LH corners but it's too hard to tell where he's at just before he rolls off. With the time viewed to the end of the first corner where the guard rail drops, it's busa, 44 seconds: 14R 43 seconds. mighty close. The 14R looks way more stable in the corner. I think the 14R is a little faster but the busa was quicker to top speed. It could all come down to launching skill. The busa with the same engine since 1999 is as fast as a 14R as far as most of us are concerned.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/21/2016 @ 4:41 PM *

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Just upgraded from a 2006 to a 2013...thoughts...
Bought the '06 with about 8k miles on it, sold at 45k+, zero issues other than normal tire, brake pad etc wear. Transferred many farkles from it to the new one, mirrors, lowered pegs, gen-mars etc, and everything just bolted on which was really nice. I have about 6500 miles on the new one, and it definitely feels quicker, probably more to do with the shorter stock gearing vs the slight extra power, have not had an occasion to use the ABS yet, but the traction control is NICE when you are really on it on tight roads, keeps both wheelspin and wheelies under control much better. At your price point, I would definitely shoot for the 14R, there are deals out there. You will love the bike regardless of the year. Good luck with the search!

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Gen1-Gen2 Upgrades/Changes

GDay Stride, hope the above link helps.
In my opinion, if you can afford it, the Gen2 is the way to go.
If you can't, no worries because you still have an amazing bike in the Gen1.

Good luck...

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