My local dealer offered me a test ride on a new '09 ZX 14. I really liked the bike, I am seriously considering buying it.

My question to you guys, has Kawasaki made changes to the '10 model and are there known changes to the '11 model?

I would hate to buy an '09 and then find out that the '10 or '11 model comes with some feature or design change that I would really like (enough to be worth the discount on an '09). They are asking $9,600 for the '09.

BTW, what a great motor! Wow! I currently have an '08 VFR Interceptor and an '08 FJR, both are fine bikes. But, wow, what a motor on this Ninja!

Only diff between the 09' and 10' is paint choices. As of this moment no changes have been leaked about the 11' model. with the economy what it is and the lending market holding on tight to cash for anything except necessities the only change will probably be paint. But who knows the 10R has some new changes to the engine in the 11' model so they may tweak the 14 a hair, even if thats the case it won't be significant enough to justify $4,000 more dollars IMO.

Everyone always wants to buy in at the right time. If I were buying new again, I would be sitting back and waiting to find out what the new literbikes have to offer. As I'm sure you've heard, runnerhiker, there is a bit of a revolution going on right now. Only problem is you will have to wait until March 2012 before the fact is separated from the fiction....and you'll be paying booku $$$

Get an 08 ZX-14 if you find one. All G-2 are the same. Should be able to get that for 8.5K

Concidering; there is 1, Buy one

* Last updated by: bean07 on 8/20/2010 @ 6:28 AM *

What they said ^^. I don't foresee any major changes happening to the '11. I have an '09. I actually bought this one this past December brand new - could've gone with a '10, but I really wanted this particular paint scheme (Special Edition Orange/Black) and the '10 was more expensive with the exact same stuff on it.

Buy one, you won't regret it. If you peruse the topics on this forum, you'll see there's a plethora of "farklation" (my word) or add-ons/modifications you can do to the bike to make it more your style. Anything from a Concours 14 seat swap for added comfort to various windscreens to full/slip-on exhaust options to entire fairing swaps to... you get the point. Just take it easy on the throttle or you'll get the acclaimed "Performance Award" pretty often. Realize it's place in the sportbike realm and you'll be good to go.

* Last updated by: loadedmind on 8/20/2010 @ 8:04 AM *

If you like the bike buy it I would not count on any meaningful changes being made to the zx14 in 2011 assuming the bike is still in production. It appears the 2011 Busa will also just get new paint. I bet if you looked hard enough you can find a left over 08 for a less than 9600 OTD.

It appears the 2011 Busa will also just get new paint.

They will be lucky to get that, Will. Last years busas pretty much just got a few accents added to 08, 09 colors and new badges to make them into 2010s.

Most of the current new japanese bikes have went up about 2 grand in price regardless of any changes or not. Nows the best time ever to buy a nice used, or left over year or 2 older new bike, and the absolute worst to buy current new, because most of the current bikes have no changes (except for paint) for the extra 2000 bucks

Thanks for all your comments, I got the info I was looking for: the '08, '09, '10 are the same bike with different paint schemes.

I put my '08 Honda VFR up for sale today and I told the dealer I want the ZX14, it is lime green. Let the negotiations begin!

Good luck!

Last week Had 2 guys express interest in buying my 08 with 22,000 miles on it. I called one and gave him my price today. I'm not hot to sell it so if he was looking for a cheapy, I'll gladly hang on to her. It is such a cool bike and there is so much I have not done. Lots of hours wrenching. So many experiences riding. So much stuff I would have never guessed possible. There is something new every time I get on the 14. I'm always excited to get on her even after 3 seasons. In some ways, it keeps getting more exciting. You ever pull a wheelie off the top of a rise in the road? I did that this week for the first time and it was just one more on a long list of exhilerating experiences.

Have lots of fun, runnerhiker and be careful. Take good care of her and she'll be good to you too.