I'll be buying a new bike this year and it will probably be a 2013 14R. Coming from an XX this looks like the perfect upgrade.

My question is, the only thing holding me back is if I wanted a bike that handles better, like something smaller and lighter. What that bike would be I have no idea, but the 14R seems a bit big and heavy. However, I have been watching the ride reports like a hawk on this thing, and I'm not sure if this isn't the bike that WILL do it all. I seem to have this mental block that a bike this physically big and bulky [i]can't[i] handle that good but everyone is saying it's just as good as you need it to be on the street, plus it does everything else better than any other bike. Correct?

* Last updated by: Auron on 3/31/2012 @ 11:30 PM *

Hard to say Auron...hard to say.I think she handles excellently...quick...solid...planted.Fast.Stable.IDK what you expect.Mine is way nicer than my 07 in every way...including handling.Ride quality.Power.Everything.But I can only compare my bike with my 07 or my zx12R that I sold several years ago.You really need to get a ride on a 14...somehow.Either a 14 or 14R.To get an idea.She doesn't 'feel' big weightwise...not to me anyway.VERY controllable and responsive IMO.It doesn't feel(to me) any 'bigger'(bulkier) than the earlier ones...but she definitely feels more together....compact...well assembled.Quieter.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/31/2012 @ 11:52 PM *

Correct. Brakes better for the buck. Accelerates faster than most any bike. Is bigger and heavier than any sport bike. The power takes up any thoughts you picked the wrong bike for sheer out and out power and torque. You are going to experience endless acceleration like no other.

This is not a track/sport bike. This is a touring/drag racing platform. This is moped power friendly on the street, to only the brave can keep the throttle open and it is up to them to lift, not the bike.

The bike is more stable at higher speeds, as if it was built for that speed, rather than school crossing guard speed limits. There are no recalls as of this writing.

I'm upgrading to the R. The product seems what? Second to Honda? And if you want fast from Honda, you turn on the TV.

After putting 1,000 miles on my 14R this month my only complaint is the lack of utility. The bike was not designed for extended rides and doesn't even accept a bungee cord to hold your rain suit to the back seat.

This shortcoming can be remedied but out of the box it's lacking in this area. Your Blackbird and my former ZX-11 were more user friendly but they offer nothing in line with the performance the 14R delivers.

By summers end I'll have my bike setup to suit my tastes. I'm sure every rider has different needs and at least we have options to tailor to our needs. This thing is hard to beat for the price.

I came from an XX (two actually) to the ZX-14R. The XX is a really nice bike, with its one major flaw being the suspension. I don't believe the ZX has any flaws.. well I'd like to change the peg position a bit. It doesn't feel heavy in the least to me. I actually think it feels lighter than the XX did.

By summers end I'll have my bike setup to suit my tastes. I'm sure every rider has different needs and at least we have options to tailor to our needs. This thing is hard to beat for the price.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fowvay- when completed post up what you did, interested in more utility for this bike as well
or even better post up in increments of the progress.
I think this bike has potential for long hauls

That's funny how anyone can overlook little odds and ends like bungie stap holders. That would be a downer but I plan on fixing anything I don't like anyway, just like I did with my XX.

I do plan on puts a ton of miles on it, I'm nearing 100,000 recreational miles on my XX. I still think this is the bike for me. Especially if it won't feel any heavier than my old bike.

There's only a few here that have actually taken their 14(not 14R)to the track.They know how their bike feels at track conditions...turning...that stuff.Braking,powering out and away.Having said that..the new bike is a lot different than the other models.But it's still no 1000 or 600.If you are expecting the new bike to handle like a literbike...and I say this carefully...you will not be okay with it...It's pretty early right now to say.."she doesn't handle like a such and such"....so my saying she isn't a literbike is not based on MY experience(s).However..the handling and suspension and design(engine placement,weight distribution)have done wonders over the other models IMO.This would be a stock for stock comparo from me.It may look very similar to the older bikes...but it is very different running wise.

I'm not expecting a liter bike that's for sure. It's just that I have been riding around on mid-90's technology since 2002. Even though the 14R is heavier (with the exhaust) than my XX I'm sure it's a hell of an upgrade. Cornering ability is really important to me but my old bike was plenty good with suspension upgrades.

I'm not expecting a liter bike that's for sure. It's just that I have been riding around on mid-90's technology since 2002. Even though the 14R is heavier (with the exhaust) than my XX I'm sure it's a hell of an upgrade. Cornering ability is really important to me but my old bike was plenty good with suspension upgrades.

Auron, here is an idea for you:

Pick up a left-over or low mile ZX14 for less than $10k and spend $1k on exhaust, PC, and custom fuel map.

Spend another $1k on ZX10 wheels, lithium battery, and front fork rebuild.

Now you will have a sport touring bike that weighs less than 500 pounds, makes 180+ rwhp, and will allow you to do long distance trips, track days, and another 100k miles.

I would but I'm a low end power junkie. Sounds lame but the 14R has too much to pass on + insane power everywhere else and it's still a sportbike, not a bandit 1200, or tiger 1050 or superhawk or...

If I were starting from a clean slate, I would go with a stock 14r over a 14.

It will be the hottest hyperbike for another 5-6 years. You sound like you want to be able to maneuver deftly in traffic and be able to hit the twisties from time to time and the old 14 is great for that. If what I hear is true, the new 14 is just as good.

If you are thinking of making it a road course track bike, don't bother. You can drop close to 100 lbs off a Gen 1 ZX-14. Compared to my 08 busa, the 08 14 now feels like a liter bike lifting it off the stand. Still, I know there is no getting around the clearance issues. The 14 is just to low and wide to really lay it over. Stuff drags when you start to push it hard. Even on the street, it will touch a peg or a pipe if you really lean it hard.

Rook dropping 100 lbs off a 14 is not cheap,I dropped 50 to 55 off my 07,do not not know how I could drop another 45 lbs and not break the bank.Probably cheaper to buy a used piped 14 and 600 track bike

Naw, screw it. I'm getting a 14R AND dropping 50 lbs. You only live once

My only concern is what color mine will be since I'm getting a 2013. So what's the list of the most cost effective and biggest weight droppers? I know you kind of layed it out but I thought I'd ask anyway.

* Last updated by: Auron on 4/2/2012 @ 7:12 PM *

A Brocks, Muzzy or similar 4 into 1 Titanium exhaust will save you 30-35 pounds.

Shorai Lithium battery will drop another 8-10 pounds.

Aftermarket brake rotors and wheels get expensive, but will eliminate up to another 10 pounds.

Aftermarket exhaust,drop 30 to 32 lbs,BST rims drop 12 lbs on 2012,rear fender got to be 1 to 2 lbs,passenger pegs 2 lbs?Kleen air 1 lb,battery 7 lbs,,How about 100 dollars a lb over all ,Canadian pricing

The 600 would be a better track bike for sure just as the piped 14 is good at what it is good at-- high speed sweepers drag racing and sport touring with an emphasis on sport. I advised "don't bother" for anyone considering making the 14 a track bike. To repeat, there is simply not enough lean angle clearance even if you have the skill to corner a bike this big. However, the 14 will hold its own on the track.

AFA the expense of dropping a hundred lbs, yes it is costly. $2000 on exhaust and another $2000 on wheels.

Carrazeria TriR wheels + aftermarket rotors and sprocket $2000..........-16 lbs
Light weight full system.................................$2000..........-32 lbs
Lose the belly pan and bracket........................... 0............-4 lbs
lose the tail frame rails..................................0.............-3 lbs
mirrors replace wit 1 CRG bar end mirror and mirror blocks$100..........-1.5 lbs
replace OEM battery with Shorai 14 Ah.....................$200...........-10.5lbs
remove rubber mats engine & airbox ........................0..............-1.5lbs
kevlar brake lines........................................$150............-1.25 lbs
SS clutch line.............................................$60............-6 oz
remove chain guard.........................................0...............-4 oz
remove rear fender.........................................0...............-1 lbs
remove flies ..............................................0................-1 oz
replace OEM gas cap with billlet..........................$200..............-7 oz
remove heat shield wings engine/radiator...................0................-14 oz
remove horn................................................0.................-8 oz
remove steering stem cover.................................0..................4 oz
remove hot wind covers and foam fairing pads...............0..................-13oz
replace OEM levers with PAzzos shorties...................$250..............-2 oz
remove pair, install block off plates......................$60..............-6 oz
remove passenger footpeg brackets..........................0................3 lbs
replace OEM side stand with billet.........................$100.............8 oz
replace OEM output sprocket with chrome moly...............$60..............2 oz
remove plastic cover from seat lock........................0................1 oz
install Micheline Power 1 tires...........................$400.............2 lbs
remove tool box...........................................0................6 oz
remove tools..............................................0................1 lb

That's about 82 lbs off at the price of $5,580.

yes, there are things like PC and Autotune and Speedohealer, quickshifter tank protector that are add ons but they don't amount to much (unfortunately they amount to about another K.5 $$$)

Yes, you could buy a nice used track bike for that but a ZX-14 at a lean mean -80 lbs is a very different beast from a just a pipe.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/2/2012 @ 8:28 PM *

@Fowvay:

If you keep the rear fender assembly and don't replace it with a FE mod, there are several places to hook a bungee or cargo net hook. I use the mounting tabs for the rear side reflectors and/or just hook under the outside edge of the fender itself aft of the reflectors. Up front of the passenger seat section, you have the under seat subframe (rectangular channel) and, of course, the footpeg brackets to hook to.

Please see the soft luggage thread to see pictures of these attachment points in use. Here's one shot of the hook points mentioned above (not including just hooking under the fender edge to the rear of the reflector mounts).

Auron,

Which everone you go with you will be very happy if money is not a problem for you get the new ZX14r!! Thats my

* Last updated by: Black1 on 4/2/2012 @ 9:56 PM *