Hello all. I am a soon to be ZX-14 owner and have been lurking around this forum for a while performing research and getting in my mind exactly what I want to do with this bike once I purchase it. By the way, you guys have a lot of great information on here...thanks. Anyway, I have owned several sport bikes over the years. I started at 16 yrs old with an '88 FZR 600, then a CBR 600, a CBR 900, and a GSXR 750. Like some people I got married and had kids which put a hold on the motorcycle passion. However, thanks to a divorce in 2005 I was rejuvinated. I went looking and found that as I got older and bigger (6'5" 240lbs) the sport bikes got smaller over the years. I decided on a 2005 Triumph Rocket III. I love the Rocket but have found that a cruiser is really not the bike for me. Sure, it's fast, powerful, and has plenty of low end torque but I have grown bored with the handling...or lack thereof. I have decided that the ZX-14 is bike for me as it has the power (plenty), is roomy (not like the small agile liter bikes), is agile enough to make short jaunts fun, and can be set up to tour comfortably. The real issue at this point is which one. I think I have it narrowed down to a new silver 2008. I basically have chosen this for a couple of reasons. I am really not fond of the colors for 2009 and I don't want to pay through the nose for the 2010 just for a cool paint job in my opinion. I have been hitting up the local dealers for some end of the year deals on the 2008 and the 2009s (just in case). I have numbers for a 2008 at $9800 plus tax and $10250 plus tax for a 2009. The big question is do I do it next week or wait for spring. I really want a new one off the floor to ensure that a weekend mechanic is not putting my life in jeopardy. I'm afraid that if I do the still new 2008s will be gone. I would appreciate anyone's constructive opinion on this and I look forward to future chats.

The big question is do I do it next week or wait for spring.

All your worries will be over when you are waxing the bike that's in your garage over the winter. Go 4 it.Make it a Merry Christmas to yourself.

Hey Admiralman

Not sure where Your from but try the cycletrader.com...it allows you to search out your new 14 from the comfort of your recliner chair. I found mine at a great deal on that site, I purchased a 2007 Plasma Blue left over for $8000+Tax brand new.

Happy Hunting!!

Ride Safe

Snuffy

Thanks Snuffy,

I have been looking at Cycletrader. I assume you bought yours out of state. Did you go there to pick it up or have it shipped to you. How did you work that?

Can always used another crazed maniac around here...
When it comes to your bike I don't think you should ever "settle" for something. In the long run a little more money now can make you happier down the line. Paying more for a paint job that really grabs you is worth it. Many people think that compromise is a fact of life. I just don't want to ever say "I wish I had..."
I'm with Romans...Do it now! And remember, if you really like it you can always do it again later!

If you're gonna buy it, I would do it now. There will be more buyers in Spring. Previous year models will be in demand with the price of the 2010 being through the roof.

Thanks all. I'm planning the buy next week. Maybe a birthday present to myself on 12/31. I'll keep you posted.

winter is a good time to make a deal on last years model.
They are slow in snowy areas and need to make a living like the rest of us .
Course you might not get to ride it for a few months but you have time to add a fewe farkles

That would be the way to start the year off Warping in to 2010 tire smoke behind you, wheel in the air, ahhh I love this bike lol here is some food for thought you are a big guy like me and stock this bike is softly sprung and you will be doing the (CADY) bounce if you dont ajust it right out of the box so to speek. So if you buy new you should be able to get the dealer to (SET IT UP) for you, sence you will be paying what they call a SET UP FEE. You as the buyer have the golden egg give a little get a little we are just talking about ajustments to start with, but later you may want to do some suspension changes. No you will want to do them because if you ride two up ever you are gonna need to change that back shock at the least. Or have it reworked to handle the wieght. Not to scare you I just think that if you had that bit of info. You can make a more informed decision about your purchase. You will love the bike so like others have said get the one you want you'll love it that much more...xxx's

Good advice xxxses. I will keep that in mind. Although I don't plan on riding two up at all. My wife will be getting a bike this spring as well. That's part of the reason I am selling the Triumph. We have ridden two up on that but she really doesn't like it. She is 5'3'' 110lbs and doesn't enjoy staring at the back of my jacket. In talking with the dealer, there is no set up charge but there is a documentation fee. Maybe that includes the setup because it's hard to justify someone doing the documenation for $189.

Well usually when they say set up they mean putting the bike together from the crate like top fairing mirrors bars and so on and here where I live that charge can be sometimes as much as 6-700 toad-skins so although 189 sounds cheep by cali standards it's still money and remember all they can say is no lol but not to many say no to 10,000 lol and as for the wife my wife is 5' and a sweet 105lbs to my 6'3 280 ok ok 280 + and like i said the poor girl was bouncing like her shock was broke lol good that you wife has the bug too just not to many to choose from for their size I just got my son a bike too and its hard to fit a new rider thats got short legs unless its a cruiser style ride well good luck and are you still reading this go get the bike ...

Doc fee around here is usually about $60 but prep is about 500 so that is a good deal no matter what they want to call it. Long as they don't charge 600$$ for plate and registration- lol

I will be going to the dealership at 0900 tomorrow to pick her up. Unfortunately, I will have to load her up in the back of the truck and won't get to ride her right away. Still snow on the streets.

Make sure you strap her in good.

Well, I pulled the trigger and bought the 2008 Atomic Silver today for my birthday. Worked the deal with the dealer at his cost minus a $750 incentive from Kawasaki...total OTD was $10566 and including tax and an additional 36 month extended warranty.

Wish I could have ridden it...but still too much snow on the roads...

Garage is getting full...

* Last updated by: admiralman on 12/31/2009 @ 1:58 PM *

.total OTD was $10566 and including tax and an additional 36 month extended warranty.

Congrats. Amazing price with extended warranty to boot.

NOW see how much better it looks in you garage then in your mind. Welcome to the Brotherhood of Busa assassins may all your kills come swiftly and quickly lol. Good choice and Happy Birthday man mine is on the 8th now your just a little older and little faster...xxx's

GREAT LOOKING BIKE ENJOY & WELCOME TO THE AWESOME SPEED WORLD OF THE 14.