Hello from Brisbane Queensland Australia everyone.

After much thought and deliberation, I decided at 52 years of age I have not finished growing up yet, so I pulled the trigger on a new ZX-14R. Being an unsold '14 model the dealer did an awesome price and gave me a brilliant trade in deal. Truthfully I went there window shopping thinking there was no way they would do the deal I wanted so when they said yes I was left without much option but to buy it.

I didn't test ride one until they told me the deal was good to go, but after riding it I knew I was entering a new world of motorcycling.

My last couple of sports tourers were a Blackbird followed by a Sprint GT. Unusual progression I know.

I did the first 1000klms in eight days, so its had its service and I'm looking forward to increasing that number this weekend.

Whilst I'm finding it does put more pressure on my hands, wrists and shoulders than say the Sprint, this old man still finds it a comfortable machine. I find the ride and the suspension excellent for my needs and of course the power is a little more than adequate .... OK a lot more ....

Look forward to browsing this forum and learning more about this awesome machine.

Gday Teef,
Welcome and well done on the new 14R and the great deal.
You wont regret it.
And that is coming from another 52 year old!

Just initially make sure your respect the bike and progress though its potential at a pace appropriate to yourself.

I also did a bit of time on a Triumph Sprint (ST) but was never really a fan. Just me I suppose.
But your 14R will take you to far higher levels...

Lastly try gripping with your thighs a little more and less with your hands.
Tough at first but does wonders for your riding and comfort also.
When your thighs are the areas that start getting sore, you know you are on the right track.

* Last updated by: yannih on 9/18/2015 @ 7:16 AM *

Welcome Teef! You are going to love the bike. You can put a set of bar risers on for less than $70 that will lift the bars around an inch. There is tons of useful and not so useful information here. Enjoy!

Mad

Beautiful picture !
Bought mine at 54 years young best thing i did in a long time.....enjoy !

Welcome, very nice!

Congratulations, Nice colors

Thanks for the warm welcome folks.

Spent the day on her today and after 10 days of ownership she has just cracked 1600klms so she's run in.

Did a little more with her today on a mix of rough, smooth, sweeping and tight twisty roads, although I was 2 up, I felt more at home with it.

This bike just everything so well, it tracks well, rides well and overtakes well ;-)

Thanks for the advice given. My shoulders feel like they've had a big day and my butt was a little sore by the time I got home although that didn't last long. I think I might just see how things go for a while before I think about risers. I guess the risers can't just life the bars straight up? They would have to sweep back a little as well? There isn't much clearance under the windscreen for higher bars.

Over all I'm loving this thing.

Beautiful Bike man!Congrats.Probably wouldn't want the bars to come like straight up.Swept back is more in line ergo wise for this bike.You'll figure it out...lots of options for personalizing.Give yerself some time adjusting.You may not want anything different once ya figure out just how to sit and all on her.I went through so many different setups with all of mine over the years.I found for me,the Heli-bars and nothing else was needed really...except a throttlemiester...you would like that I'm sure.

Gripping with your thighs and knees is a big help as well as was mentioned.Maybe get some Techspec tank grips or another brand on there?They really help with the gripping.

Again...congrats...enjoy!

Thanks Grn14. After just over 400klms yesterday, I'm feeling a bit better about the ergos. I'll see how it goes for a while, after all this thing was mean to be ridden, not played with ;-)

She's run in now - yay :-)

Hey Teef, great purchase! The ZX14 is a bit harder on the wrists and shoulders but makes up for it in many ways ways! Have you thought about bar risers? I've got 1.25" risers. Help a lot.

Hey, good to see a fellow Aussie here! Noice boike!

I'll give bar risers some thought, but it's the old story. On the straight and narrow my shoulders ache but as soon as I hit the twisties, all is forgotten and it has the best ergos earth. I'll ride it for a while and see how much it bugs me.

How well do the risers work on yours? Do the bars clear the fairing and windscreen? Any cable extensions needed?

Teef, nothing needed, just 5 minutes of screwing and in screwing four bolts in total.. Don't affect the fairing, lines or anything and doesn't change the riding position much, just enough. I still get sore wrists and shoulders some times. As GRN14 has suggested, more leg work alleviates a lot of it. I got some tank grips to assist that.

You are right about the twisties, all forgotten during those times. I find the biggest problem is during cruising and get forgetful of lazy in using my legs and stretching regularly. I've done a couple of 600km days with no issues though!

Congrats man! Beautiful colors for sure.

I wish there was a like button like Facebook has in the forum, just to let folks know you appreciate their comments even if you don't have much to say about it.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

*Like*

LOL

Hi Teef,

Just got my 14R a few days before my 52nd BD as well... spent my birthday riding it from St. Louis to Chicago via a meandering route on a perfect October fall day. Congrats!

Best,
Mark