Okay all...I hope everyone's having a really great day today.I am pretty sure EVERYONE here loves their 14.I do.But I have been curious lately about the actual ride quality difference between say,a Harley Road Glide,Road King..that class of bikes and our beloved 14's.I'm naturally assuming that the Harley's have a longer wheelbase,if not by much.Plus the weight factor is gonna change the way a bike rides.Any REAL WORLD thoughts on my question?My bike is pretty darn smooth.Very minimal vibration...in some gears and certain speeds and rpms...you'd be hard pressed to actually feel the bike running under you.I haven't been on any Harley's since 2002,and the new ones out 'seem' to be selling very well.I know the Harley website(s) tout the 'upgrades' to the new models...rideability and such.IDK...just curious.

I guess the reason I'm asking this is because I set my suspension up 'by the book' you know...just to see how she feels.She feels...well...like a bigazz sportbike.Not buzzy mind you,but a bit 'sharp' around the edges if I could say it that way.Anything over 80,90 mph in curves she sets up really well,very smooth on the gas and planted.When I've ventured into triple digits,she sets down nice and is VERY smooth.I found that a mildly stiffer frontend setting actually increased the rideability at higher speeds...the smoothness and how she handles the road surface(s).Then,using those same settings...at 'normal' highway speeds...she's a tad 'firm' shall I say...I feel more irregularities in the road and all.Not uncomfortably so,but it's there.Am I asking too much from my baby?The manual talks about 'plushness'...okay...just what the heck IS that with our bikes?And at what speeds are we talking about?I know with a bit firmer setting on the suspension...not going KooKoo like a gp bike,but firmer,she carves VERY nice.Turns right in and holds a line VERY well.NO DRAMA irregardless of speed.The 'softer settings' WILL allow the bike chassis to wander just a tad in hard cornering at higher speeds.I'd like to find a sweet spot for both types of riding.The firmer settings are very hard to beat.She handles dips and ripples and such very well...smooth....stable.IDK about the Harley's....they just ride the 'same' all the time?I never took mine into a 130 mph curve,so I've NO idea what it would have done...hell..it couldn't hit 130 anyway!I had a Heritage Classic Softail with the 88B motor...it was as I recall quite smooth...but it's been a long time...I really can't recall the ride quality anymore.I know I took several long trips with it...and I don't think I ever had to take a rest stop for my azz or back.It had the frame mounted engine in there...so it wasn't vibrating like those models with the rubber mounts on em.I also had a Ultra Classic ElectraGlide...an 05 or something around that year...with that evo motor in there(rubber mounts).THAT was not very comfortable if I recall.It wound out way to quick for the desired speed and torque.Just felt,well,weak.

I'm considering with my next tire swaps,I'll go with a Pirelli Angel set again...just for he heck of it.IDK....I love my bike.I have to say though...sometimes...not very often,I don't want to ride it.IDK WHY I don't,but the feeling of 'not wanting to' kinda bothers me sometimes.It's not very often mind you...but it does happen every once in a while.When I'm out there carving and going from curve to curve and having the ability to punch her,and 'fly' away from everything....that's what I love about my bike....that and everything else she can do.You know.Power....smoothness.Passing ability.Carving.All of it.I couldn't even really BEGIN to ride a Harley that way.I just don't think it would do it....I guess sometimes I feel kinda 'isolated' on my ninja.It's so 'everything sportbike' you know....It really doesn't 'fit' the image of a 'serious biker'.But she IS a serious great bike.And I always have fun riding her.

I think PART of my feelings are being swayed because I see all these "Harley Couples" out there while I'm riding.And I start thinkin,'if only'.But in reality,I truly don't WANT to ride anyone on my bike really.It's,I hate to say,a dangerous piece of machinery(meaning,it CAN be if yer not thinkin)...very vulnerable to things 'out there'.I could NEVER ride someone on the back riding like I do...I wouldn't put them at risk like that.And I'm not talkin about 150 in the curves or something.Just,you guys know...'aggressive' kinda riding.What the inline four in our Ninjas is designed to do.Ride....go.....carve.Lean.

Maybe I should 'grow up'.WHO in there adult right mind gets a friggin rocket at 50 something years old?I'll be 58 here this year.A friggin senior fer gosh sakes...ridin a missile.I've been reflecting some lately,watching some of my vids...to see how I'm doing.You know....I'm actually taking a lot of chances.One deer...one slick on the road,it'd be over.Seriously.I drive WAY too fast and assume TOO much(like nothing will happen).Sheesh...I AM trying really hard to ease up on my style(whatever THAT might be).I forget,I don't control those OTHER drivers out there.One good'come across the middle lane'(as the drivers up here do with some regularity) in a curve or something....I'd be done...seriously.You aint gonna get yerself outta a sideswipe in 1 second of realization(or a God Forbid headon,as is scarily common here).Leaned in,focused on 'the line'.

Anyone else have these thoughts?I'm not gonna stop takin my baby out....ridin the sweeps and such.Having fun and experiencing things.No way.Unless the Lord says...'yer done Son'....

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/7/2011 @ 11:21 AM *

It's been a long time since I got a ride on my father's Vulcan Drifter. That was a 1500 with a REALLY long wheel base. I am pretty sure it was smoother than my 14. ..at least for handling the bumps in the road. Of course, the high speed thing, i never went over 75 mph on Pop's bike so IDK what it would be like and i would never dream of even trying to corner on it at high speed.

Ya...one of the reasons I got my 14 is because I KNEW it would be a fine 'upgrade' from my then 2004 zx12.And I haven't been disappointed.In truth...this bike DOES fit me...or the other way around.I'm VERY comfortable on my bike.It doesn't look smallish.I don't look 'too big' for it.I always get positive comments from people 'out there' while riding.It ISN'T a HARLEY.That's another thing I love about my bike.It ISN'T like 'everything else' out there.It's capable of doing a hell of a lot more than I could ever put it through.And that's also part of the fun of having my bike.I KNOW I'm probably nowhere near the limits of things...so every ride I end up discovering something 'new' about it and me.I don't think I'd ever have that experience with a Harley...even though they are very nice bikes.There are times when I just feel REALLY GOOD about my choice of motorcycles.Really.Way more than not.Miles more than not.I couldn't really imagine 'trying' to make a Harley 'work' in my life.I don't fit that 'image' at all.I like being alone.Riding alone.Stopping when I want.Reflecting on the road ahead.Envisioning how I'm gonna take those next set of curves up there.Ya....I do that a lot.These tires aren't helping matters either!!!!!!

You know...I MAY have found something just now.A newfound respect for the Harley crowd.Perhaps they actually REALIZE that IF they had a bike like ours...they wouldn't be around long?You know...the whole "a man's GOT to know his limitations" thing.I mean,really,you can only do 'so much' with a Harley...no matter how ya doll it up

WTHeck...I'm gonna go pick Mom up at Church,then I'm goin for a ride...last day of Vacation and all...it's been great!You guys ride safe out there...seriously.Keep yer peepers open for them cages now!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/7/2011 @ 11:48 AM *

Got back now from my ride...through the fast sweepers and cool mountain forests along the road...the road to Libby.I was mentioning ride quality before.I can clearly see now WHY I love this ZX so much.Like I said...every ride is a different experience.This one was no different.I had set my suspension on factory settings.(preload front and back).I did slightly stiffen the front forks a tad...6 lines showing.But my damping adjustments I kept a bit on the softer side.More in line with the manual.But slightly "in" some...just a bit.The rear shock I eased up on also...the preload...so the front and back are rebounding at the same speed again.Fairly soft...but still controlling on the chassis behavior.I didn't go out today with the intention of railing really hard.Only to see how these 'new' settings were gonna make the bike respond and cruise.That was my goal here today.

Fortunately,I found my best open sweepers,and let er fly...yes.I have to say....my bike is performing like some sort of magic carpet.I mean....I hit sweepers today(the same ones I always hit)not knowing what to expect from the suspension and all.I'll just say that triple digit railing,well over 100, was as smooth and comfortable as running 80 through the same ones.This bike is just amazing.I don't normally 'push' too far into the 3 digit range cause of the possibility of oncoming traffic and somehow losing control...you know.I don't want to kill anyone.But today...EVERYTHING seemed perfect.She slipped in and held with zero movement,either up and down or wallowing.Not even the tiniest hint of it.And the engine was performing like glass...just perfect.IDK....today was at least ONE of the best riding days I've had since owning my 14.It reaffirmed my decision of WHY I bought this bike in the first place.It has been a GREAT DAY today...without even 'trying'.I could never ditch my 14.They can keep their Harleys....it's all good.I know when I pass a line of 8 or 10 vehicles,to the clear road ahead...and NO traffic...that's where I want to be.Sailing.Smooth sailing.Plenty of power on tap 'just in case'.6th gear cruising at 80 mph,excellent.

I did pay attention to some things today.I noticed at 85 mph in 6th....I could BARELY feel my bike running.THAT's pretty amazing.And she does that all up and down the rev range if I want her to.

Amazing,just amazing.

And I also noticed that when I'm carving...really diggin in,holding the tank with my knees,and sitting 'slightly' back from the tank,I was able for all intents and purposes to barely hold the bars.Only pushing a bit to turn in and hold.She just seemed today to take ME for a ride.Like she was running the show.

I think I'll be keeping my MRA spoiler screen on there...it really does work well.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/7/2011 @ 4:00 PM *

Blue, I cannot think of a more apples vs oranges question than the one you pose, but since I own a couple of each, I'll try to give a reasonable answer.

I've been riding as much of my 57 years on the street as was leagal, so that would be 40+. As soon as I could, I got into both hot-rod bikes and cars. Had many interesting examples over the years. My last 3 "sporting" bikes have been a Muzzy big-bore/cammed ZX-11, a ZZR1200 which I still have, and now the new ZX-14.

I was one who used the Hardley-Ableson moniker for Harley's long before it became so popular. Didn't hate them and their riders as seems so epidemic with the sport-bike crowd now, but knew they were just slow for what I looked for in a bike.

I've always liked classic cars, espeically from about '55 through the muscle-car era. A funny thing happened along the way; I began to appreciate the classic lines of Harley's and Indian's. So in '04, I bought my 1st Harley, a Fatboy. I keep a solo seat on on it, love to be able to see the unobstructed view of the curve of the rear fender, and the solid aluminum disc wheels remind me of a set of Centerlines on a 55 Chevy. Is it fast? Of course not. It sits a bit too low, and the floorboards scrape too easily. But it's upright/laid back riding position is very comfortable, and it has a very good steering geometry and oodles of torque. In comparison, I've ridden many of the meteric HD clones, owned a Nomad for ahwile, and it had a very poor steering geometry. It didn't want to turn at speed (like a Mac truck), yet wanted to fall into low speed corners. I've had one or the other symptom in one bike, but had never had one with both at the same time.

Last Fall I wondered if I woudn't like the whole "Touring" concept. I had taken early retirement, and seeing the country on two wheels really appealed. After testing the theory with the Nomad, I bought a Road King Classic, and really love the thing. Put down lots of two lane miles on it very comfortably, and the handling greatly belies it's size and weight. It sits higher than the softail models, so scraping the 'boards is not such an isssue. It's light years ahead of my Nomad in every respect. Very stable, light steering but very well planted, great torque/power from the 96". I couldn't be happier for it's intended purpose. BTW, I considered a 'Wing for touring, but my 6'2" frame was not comfortable on it. Great bike in it's own right, tho.

I've never been a brand loyalist. I considered a 'busa before the ZZR, and again revisited the idea before the 14. Came down to the ergos being too tight on the 'busa, and I prefer the looks of the 14, tho consider both somewhat an acquired taste visually.

Although the ZZR1200 was born of the ZX-11, it leans just slightly more into sport-touring territory, with a bit more wind protection, and a place to mount Givi hard bags. I never used it for that; I have a set of D&D's on it, and it dyno'd with a good tune at 153 at the rear wheel. Very respectible. (stock they're around 145 RWHP) It will stay with a stock early 'busa until the speedo is wound all the way around and it runs into an aerodynamic wall.

Last week, I bought the ZX-14. You used a term earlier, "planted", and that was the very first thing I noticed about the bike. It has gobs more torque than the ZZR1200, the FI is far more responsive than the carbs on the ZZR, it handles as on rails in comparision, and at almost 50 more HP with minor tweaks, I'm sure will prove to be a thrill-a-minute once past the break-in period.

I could convert the ZZR to sport-touring duty, but it could never be as comfortable as the rolling sofa (Road King). The wife likes to ride again; she get's to see some scenery now. (Poor thing flew like a flag off the back of all those sport bikes over the years, and everything was just a blur.) The performance of the 14 has made ownership of the ZZR redundant for me. I'm not in a hurry to sell her, as this summer is not motorcycling weather in TX; will sell in the fall. The Fatboy is going to go as well, for the same reason; the Road King has rendered it redundant. Will do everything the FB will do, and so much more. So I'll have it whittled down to two bikes for two, very dinstictively different purposes.

As an aside, I don't buy in for a moment to the Harley "mystique", brotherhood, or whatever you may call it. I ride alone, or at times, with one other female rider who rides a Vulcan. On the other hand, I'm not a "squid", either. I've always been pretty independant to the point of being a bit of an isolationist; I just dig machines, whether they roll or fly.

I wouldn't mind adding a few other bikes to the stable that would be very different from the 14 and the RK. I still have a soft spot for 2-strokes, so an H-2 would be a lot of fun, a Honda 6 cyl CBX, and a few others come to mind. But, I've found that keeping up with/frequently riding a large stable isn't that practical for me, so I'll probably admire those machines from afar. I like my choices as it stands. Ummm..what was your question :) ?

Ya...pretty much sums it up.Been so long since I actually did any long miles on my then new 2000 Heritage...I've completely forgotten just what the ride was like.It was a really nice cruiser,I know that.Had nice aftermarket pipes on there,and a breather kit.She did go pretty good...but nothing like the zx.Not even in the same ballpark.Scraping floorboards was a fairly common deal for me...But she definitely would start wigglin at 100 mph or so.Kinda risky.

Hi Blue, Yep, since I've always had a sportbike while owning the Harley's, I haven't even thought about riding the HD's over 90 or so. But, I can believe they'd wiggle around at 100; they don't like being in a semi's wake either. Our sport bikes are like a bullet going through the air in comparison.

But a cross wind is a wholly different thing; our ZX becomes a barn door in a side wind. Makes mountain riding really interesting at times..

About 2 years ago a friend of mine wanted me to max out his 10sec ¼ Harley-Davidson v-rod so I took it down alligator alley and hit 146 mph gps but as for the ride WAY TO MUCH WIND and the suspension WAY TO SOFT.

The V-Rod has proven to be the acception to the "slow Harley" rule, hasn't it? Sounds like your friend's bike could use a good setup, but the wind thing...I guess they make a better 1/4 mile bike than a road bike. Too bad they haven't sold better; not my cup-O-tea, but what a departure for Harley. They sure do well in Pro Stock..

When that V-Rod first came out...and I still had my Heritage,I went and rode one at the dealer.It 'seemed' to have plenty of pep...but sitting on it,and driving it was a very weird feeling.It did not feel like a 'real' motorcycle.The front tire appeared way too thin.The whole frontend design just looked,well,enemic.I didn't like it.
Another thing that really kinda amazes me about the Harley design...they have the fairing attached to the forks.(or the windscreen).Does that make any sense to anyone?Imagine if our bikes had the front of the fairing somehow attached to the forks.Think we could go 'go fast' is safety on ours?Their design team definitely has a purpose behind creating a motorcycle that is inherently unstable at speed.Guess who buys a bike like that?They do know what they're doing alright.That tells me a bunch about their REAL concern for their customers."Stand out from the crowd"...uhmmm...you mean....don't ride over 80 mph with the 'group' cause ya might be labeled 'traitor'?"get a Harley...be yer own person"....now THAT's funny!!!

The whole idea of riding a bike like a Harley....knowing you'll most likely crash,maybe die,if ya get into triple digits cause the thing isn't designed for safety at higher speeds...looks to me like they pretty much put a cap on who's gonna 'stand out' from the crowd!Talk about 'in house planning'....

I'm just funnin some you guys that have Harleys.They're nice bikes.Good for what they are intended for.Socializing,bar hopping,'lookin sharp' on the weekends....proving yer a real man or woman.Bein a 'part of something'...you know....part of that whole...."be yer own person with a Harley' deal.

As soon as my warranty(new) ended,that same shop manager treated me like he didn't even KNOW me.It was pretty interesting alright.

I honestly DID 'love' my Harley...for a while.Till stuff started goin wrong with it.Stuff that should have been fine.I went and spent over a thousand dollars one time for a new electrical harness,cause the guy said that's what I needed to fix my situation(the turn signal at the rear wasn't working).He said the bike needed to be rewired cause there were several places that were just ready to fail(this was like just past the warranty period,I think around 12,000 miles...somethin small like that)."Okay....Go ahead" I says.A week they have my bike.Fine...okay.I can accept that.So I go to pick er up.Ya....she's ready.So I backs out of the work station there,you know,out to the parking lot there.Turn my rear turn signal on.....NUTHIN.F n thing STILL isn't workin!Geez...I was...well...so embarrassed FOR THE MECHANIC that I never did go back and tell em.I fixed it myself in about twenty minutes by reconnecting the wires at the switch housing.Sheesh.Ya...I know...SUCKAH!!!She was a nice ride though when she was.....well,running.But NEVER AGAIN!!!!!47,000 miles on my 'jap crap'...not a peep of functional electrical or mechanical problems.None..Nada.And she runs better than EVER!!!!Thanks Kawasaki!

PS...I bought an entire electrical harness...everything...just in case(off a ZERO MILE zx).Cost me.....150 dollars.SHWEET!

Somethin I find REALLY interesting...at triple digits and the faster I go...the more safe and solid my bike feels!WTH's up with that?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/9/2011 @ 7:02 PM *

currently owning a zx14, an electra glide and a zrx1100 I will say that while they are all motorcycles....that is where the similarities end. If I want to go with the wife on a ride...its the HD all the way. If I want to go somewhere and not be in a rush...its the HD as well. Road trip? Cruise control, cd playing, baggage etc HD all the way.When I want to take a bike to go grocery shopping...HD again!
But when I want to feel adrenaline, when I want to feel like i am 20 again...when I want to figure out where Im gonna put my cell phone and wallet while riding lol it is the 14 without a doubt! The easy to modulate and yet amazing power /speed of the 14 is really amazing!
Interestingly the zrx is somewhere in between, and having owned it the longest I can say IF i had to have only one bike the zrx would be it! And in my opinion the zrx is one of the hottest looking bikes of all time!

You need multiple bikes to get the full experience with as little compromise as possible. I'm a believer.

One ride I've never tried is a dual-purpose bike, but love reading RUSH drummer Neil Peart's adventures. He usually puts up a new travel log each month on his website, and the stories are always facinating. One more thing on my bucket list.. Anyone here do that type of riding?

Too busy workin to get away like that.Hmmm...s'all good though.I'm exactly where I need to be.Which includes being ALMOST 60 yrs old and riding the world's fastest and most powerful production motorcycle on the planet I don't remember what "being 20 again" feels like.But I do know being just at 58 and taking sweepers at 130+ is a very nice feeling!(and not worrying about IF I crash).I love my zx.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/9/2011 @ 11:05 PM *

That V-rod was interesting definitely a torque power house with smooth power delivery nice for putting around and playing with cars in town not to mention the noise with an exhaust. But its no ZX14.

I don't know about the Hardly Ablesons comfort, but the wife and I use the 14 for our touring bike, and SHE is the one who insists on "FASTER, FASTER!!! What a troublemaker. I end up with the tickets!

Mad

Mad, how old are you and the wife? Mine served her tour of duty with little complaint, but it's a funny thing; the older you get, the more in touch with your mortality you become. The sport bikes are my addiction; I know and accept the risk, and really don't want to expose her to it anymore. Not that the bagger doesn't carry risk with it, but certainly less so than riding a rocket.

I went from having muscle cars when we were younger, to having genuine race cars with license plates later in life when I could afford them. I have a Grand National that's run high 9's and a 10 second stroker/full roller/NOS Corvette currently. She no longer wants to even get in them. (actually fine w/me)

I'm on deferred edjudication in 3 surrounding suburbs to my own, and have to ride through at least one of them to get out into the countryside. I'm sure glad I don't have anyone else egging me on. Good luck with that :)

I have a Softail in the barn (not the female kind she's in the house), a KLR dual sport and the ZX. To be honest i haven't been on the Softail since 2008 when I bought the ZX but I do ride the Dualsport occasionally cause it's so much fun in tha backcountry. I agree with Prog, you need more than one ride in the barn to get the "full experience". Each ride has it's own personality and feel. The Softail is the old Model T Ford the ZX is the rocket and the KLR is the go anywhere and the "how the he'll did it go over that?" machine. Not to mention the riding skill that each ride adds to your skill set. One thing with the KLR that tops all the others is it has been dumped a few times and cost me a total of about $60 in replacement parts but it won't pull your arms off on the highway like the rocket :)

Progrocker, the wife and I are both 53! 2 years ago she did a track day with the AFM club champ Corey Call on a ZX10 , 2-up wheelies at 130mph down the straight...she had the nerve to call me ( I was at work) and brag about it. Bitch!She loves riding and racing and we both kick it up in the twisties, often we're the only 2-up in the "fast" group. But ,I always ride within my limits or the limits of those we ride with. So, no accidents at all, just a smattering of speeding tickets--ALL her fault! She had her own bike for awhile but decided she liked it better on the back. Braver than me...

Mad

Mad, that's awesome!