I had myself 100% convinced on buying one. (an 07 with 4500 miles) Then I saw all the problems people have such as spun rod bearings, blown motors, over heating etc.

Now I am very scared to buy one. I chose that 07 because it has such low miles and has been from what I can tell, well looked after. I'd like a bike I can ride for 50k miles or more before really having to start worrying. I'd plan on using full synthetic oil, and a really good engine coolant such as engine ice. I wouldn't be racing, just riding normal and maybe a bit hard from time to time.

Now am I just being really paranoid or are the 06/07 ZX14 known to have a fairly common failrate?

Rod bearings are the only thing other than frame crackage which you can prevent yourself if you have a Torque wrench. I have not heard of the rod bearings going on every 20th bike or anything, it is uncommon. The busa engine also has the issue. I own a bus and a 14 and niether has spun a bearing. If you are concerned, use tat as your motivation to ask a low price. Get something for the risk you feel you are taking. It's not a sure bet. Rather unlikely.

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I have an 06 and it has 45,000 miles on it and runs like a dream. Don't worry about things that haven't happened.

Mad

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Don't worry about them. Never had a problem with mine and my buddy has one who abuses the crap out of it , fallen over both sides, pc3,muzzy, Revs the piss out of it. Never a problem. Enjoy !!!!!!!!!!

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If you're looking for guarantees and assurance, read the thousands of posts on this and other forums concerning ZX-14s. They are machines and they're not idiot-proof, but the preponderance of evidence suggests very few problems that weren't caused by abuse and/or neglect.

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You are paranoid my 2008 ZX-14 is and has been my only transportation for over a year and a halve and the only thing I have replaced is spark plugs and chain and sprockets and of course tires! 33,000+ miles on her rain or shine best bike I have ever owned!

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I hear of very few problems with the 14, where do you get your information about reliability issues from?

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Hang out around any forum long enough and you'll hear people bitch about something no matter what brand.

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Well, what the OP said is patently ludicrous, almost troll-like.

There are enough riders here and on Bikeland and the other ZX14-ish forum(s) that if there were common problems it would be common knowledge. Such is not the case.

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It is a pretty solid bike BUT I'd just replace the valve cover bolts and gaskets (if you are going to use full synthetic) and the air filter cover with 2010-11 versions. She does get hot when you're stock in traffic but like Hub said when you get going, it's not even an issue. Engine ice and full synthetic helps a lot. What else? The 1st gear clunk is just an annoyance. Again with good oil (amsoil, motul, etc) and proper chain slack and wheel alignment it is not a big deal. Now go get that bike!

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Maddevil says..."I have an 06 and it has 45,000 miles on it and runs like a dream. Don't worry about things that haven't happened"....there ya go.Buy and enjoy...you won't regret it if THIS bike is your desire.

Why the need to change the bolts and gaskets?

Also, the only upgrade I'd do for this year would be a Two Brothers black series slip-ons. Would I need a power commander for that? I had a PC5 in my last bike, I should have taken it out before selling....

saxxon, almost all these bikes leak a little on the front left side of the valve cover. its because the bolts are just a hair too long and they bottom out before the gasket seals. I just fixed my 08 this yr and it was as simple as taking the front left bolt out and placing a washer on it and torquing it back down

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That's about it, a leaky rocker cover gasket and update that airfilter cap, no big deal....oh and they eat rear tires. I get about 2200 miles but that's the price you pay for having tons of torque on tap. If you don't like changing rear tires, get a moped.
Seriously these bikes are very reliable, other than normal scheduled maintenance, I've had to do almost nothing to my '06, runs stronger today than when new.

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@DragKing, the bolts and gaskets on the rocker cover are fine, just slip a thin 10mm washer under the bolt heads and torque to spec.

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If you don't like changing rear tires, get a moped.

Lol, thanks for the laughs, lol

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

@DragKing, the bolts and gaskets on the rocker cover are fine, just slip a thin 10mm washer under the bolt heads and torque to spec.

Already did it. I was getting the valve clearance check done so I ordered new bolts and gaskets
It's kinda of anal but I rather have every bolts tightened in the right sequence etc... I run my finger down there once in a while and it's dry, not even a hint of moisture.

Also, the only upgrade I'd do for this year would be a Two Brothers black series slip-ons. Would I need a power commander for that? I had a PC5 in my last bike, I should have taken it out before selling....

Why slip ons? All that money just for sound! Just get a full system Akrap, Brocks or Hindle.
Mine came with D&D slip ons then I got rear ended and upgraded to Muzzy's slip ons, it was a big mistake for that money I could have gotten a decent full system. The insurance paid for it so it's all good. Sorry back on topic, I ran my D&D's and Muzzy's for more than a year total and the bike was fine. I ended getting a PC5 just to milk a little more power and smooth things out since I took the flies out but that it's a whole different topic lol

P.S. A full system will make the bike run cooler

@Kruz: 2200 miles!!! That's not even an oil change. Get the Rosso Corsa and have somebody take a look at your suspensions. I'm not sure but I think I've got a little more than 4k on my rear and way more on the front. My mechanic says I have at least one more k on it so I won't even change it before I head to the sisters! I do a lot of commuting with the 14 and you probably spend more time on the sides of the tire than I. Buying a cheaper tire that last only 2200 miles is false economy!

* Last updated by: dragking on 6/2/2012 @ 11:56 PM *

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The reason for slipons is because the catalytic converters are in the cans on the 06/07 rather than the pipe. So a full system seems unnecessary. I don't really care for more power the bike should have more than enough.

I thought the same way when I first got her.Now look at it.As Mick Jagger says too much is never enough,
Craig

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The reason for slipons is because the catalytic converters are in the cans on the 06/07 rather than the pipe. So a full system seems unnecessary. I don't really care for more power the bike should have more than enough.

165 hp or less on a 540 lbs bike= not enough power for me! Especially with the flies still in. I hope you weight under 200 lbs.

I thought the same way when I first got her.Now look at it.As Mick Jagger says too much is never enough,
Craig

Me too, the revelation came when I took the flies out. Can't wait to see what kinda hp she pulls on the dyno.

* Last updated by: dragking on 6/3/2012 @ 7:41 PM *

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I do a lot of commuting with the 14 and you probably spend more time on the sides of the tire than I. Buying a cheaper tire that last only 2200 miles is false economy!

Drag, I run BT016s on all of my sportbikes, hardly an economy tire, probably the best all around street/trackday tire out there. I run my tires very hard, even my 6R goes through a set of front and rear tires in about 2500 miles. My new ZX-10R has 2200 miles on the OEM original tires and the front is shot with the rear not far behind.
My tires typically wear out on the sides with plenty of meat left in the middle, you guessed correctly, I spend almost all of my time leaned over.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 6/3/2012 @ 9:06 PM *

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It's weird that the ZX-10 OEM last as long as the BT's and vice versa! I think you should try the Rosso Corsa, I won't be surprised if they are better than the BT's. I have never ran the BT's but they won't disappoint IMO. Which BT's do you run the BT 16 pro or the regular BT 16? Enable you PM so we can continue this convo.

And my apology to the OP for the hijack

* Last updated by: dragking on 6/5/2012 @ 12:55 AM *

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I would only have one concern if buying a used ZX 14, what modifications does it have? Were they done correctly?

The bike is reliable, no issues, some minor stuff already mentioned. The same can't be said about owners that modify them. I am guessing 50% of the problems I see in forums are self inflicted by owners doing mods.

BT-016 Pro on everything but the ZX-10R which is still wearing the OEM variant BT-016 which, by the way, doesn't last any longer than the Pro version. I don't do any highway miles on the sportbikes, rarely am I straight up and down and I use a lot of throttle to finish the corners....almost like doing a track day on the street. Any tire is going to experience a lot of wear under those circumstances I would think. I'll get my PM enabled as soon as I figure out how to do it...lol!

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