Hi all, as the above states I'm planning to buy a 14. I currently have a well modded (in my opinion anyway, lol) Gen 1 ZX10R (which I am keeping).
There is an '06 with 4500 miles in my area for $7500. Muzzy's slip-ons, PC3, 1" risers, fender elim., and Muzzy fan. Minor scuff on the right lower fairing (from pics and talking to owner) no other marks on bike. He says he has the receipt for the frame inspection. Second owner, none of the original parts.
A little iffy, seems odd that low of miles after two owners? From talking to him it appears to be on it's original rubber (which needs replaced, seems right).
I'm asking because it's a 90 minute drive to check it out. Seems worth a look.
What you all think?

I would take a moment and look for a more recent model (08-11) without any question of damage, in the same price range.
Things that make me leery: Second owner, lots of sitting around.

Not knocking any 06-07 owners out there, but there were some improvements in 08 and also a valve cover gasket change in '10. 4500 miles would not bother me if the bike were a little younger. Any way to find out if the original owner was kind to it?

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 10/22/2013 @ 11:04 AM *

Last week I bought an 07. The tags expired in 09.....so not ridden for 4 yrs. It had 4445 miles and 2 Bros exh.
At $7499 I do not think I could find a better deal.

Over the yrs I've seen lots of low mile bikes....esp if from an area w/o all-year riding weather and also high power bikes......maybe the owners were afraid.

I don't think any improvement of the 14...including the 2nd gen....is worth the money they cost vs this used bike.

It's all about what you want.........

............

If the scuff you saw was very low down............could be from leaning....I did it several times....the 14 is no track bike.

* Last updated by: 06BlueZX14 on 10/22/2013 @ 2:25 PM *

Since I plan on running duals, the lack of in header cats on the '06-'07 appeals to me. I wouldn't pay the $7500 he's asking if I take a look. I'm sure another will come along, just tempted because of the low miles if it's valid. Oddly the "scuff" is 2 areas above and below the blister/bulge on the lower, not on the raised area itself.

That it where it drags.....below. If the tires have small "chicken strips" then that's it.........not sure about the other mark.

I bought from a dealer.........so $7499 was good as it gets.

* Last updated by: 06BlueZX14 on 10/22/2013 @ 4:06 PM *

Excellent buy Blue.
No matter how good it looks, there's always another bike out there. I like my 08 model. Not much changed until Electronic controls came along. That's the real choice... whether or not to go with the controls.
Does anyone know if they still allow test rides at any dealership? I bought a BMW once because they let me demo any bike I wanted...
Back to this, if it's an economic thing You want 08, 09. For the best "deal" you have to never show that you want the bike badly (even if you do) You can get the best deal if you could just as soon walk away from it. If you get excited and grab the first good deal you'll be looking at the ads still afterwards and worrying that you could have gotten a nicer one if you had waited. There's always another bike!

There is a gentleman here that builds some of the fastest 14's on the mother earth. His name is Harry Manovich. PM for details. You could get a new 14 for around 8900 Canadian. PM for details if interested.

Thanks all,
Here's a pic for reference.
Sharkey, in your neighborhood, I'm down in Manteca, used to come up to Rollins Lake every year. :)

* Last updated by: rikkitik on 10/22/2013 @ 6:37 PM *

Gotta say...that's a nice bike..I should say...the lower one does look like it's on the bulge there...and if he kept leaning...yes...he could cause that upper scuff as well...geez...dude was leanin pretty darn hard I'll say that;)Any scrapes on the muffler?At the front edge?Too bad ya can't get a close walk around.I'd be leery about that lean....mirrors?Any touch up paint on those on that side?Lever?Footpeg?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/22/2013 @ 6:47 PM *

According to the owner, no marks other than those shown. "Showroom" aledgedly.
As for newr models, I have zero interest in ABS, TC maybe. I'm good with the "older" models.

If you can get a good price on a later model with ABS and KTRC...you should.I would if it were me...there are some low sticker new 2012's/2013's around...just gotta search a bit.I never thought I'd really care all that much for the Ktrc and Abs...but I gotta say....I'd never go back to non-abs bike ever.I don't ever run with the KTRC activated....so that wasn't the defining deal with my 2013R.But the abs....a must have IMO.Sa'll cool though....however ya want to go....

Not to shit in your cereal, but $7500 on an early model seems way too costly, imo. I paid $8700 for my '08 in early '09, 5200 miles, it already had the Brocks system fitted, dyno tuned beautifully, and the OEM system was thrown in. You should keep your eyes peeled while you negotiate this deal.....sometimes the best deals can be made post riding season and winter. Good luck with the hunt

If you buy from someone at home all cash....yeah, but at a dealership - it's about right for the condition/miles....at least around here anyway.

I'm not seeing how $7500 for an 07 w/ slips is too expensive, but $8700 for an 08 w/slips is ok. Must be an expensive tune.

Maps are everywhere and free...........nobody would be able to tell the diff. IMO

This is where it drags ...this was the first time I did it on my previous 14....eventually I ground through it to metal....and had to lean less.

* Last updated by: 06BlueZX14 on 10/22/2013 @ 8:31 PM *

I was thinking $6500-6800 max if the bike were as clean as stated. Not even sure I'll go look, just considering it.
Nice job on the fairing. Are you on stock springs and ride height?

* Last updated by: rikkitik on 10/22/2013 @ 8:54 PM *

On that bike at that time I think I was at stock height.....and susp setting pretty hard. I MAY have had the forks slid up a bit, but.......it won't matter - an all stock parts/settings 14 will grind the plastic. This was learned quickly by the press guys when the 14 was tried out in 2006.

I do think maybe in SoCal we pretty much pay more for almost everything.

While riding hard through canyons I was dragging it so much it finally got me.....it lowsided when the rear tire was levered off the ground....the bike flew up.....landing on the tank and then bounced and slid. I rebuilt it after filling in the damaged plastic and tank. Be careful leaning a 14....this ain't no Moto GP leaner.

Yep...sucks shit LoL

* Last updated by: 06BlueZX14 on 10/22/2013 @ 9:13 PM *

Ouch!! Glad you're good to go still.
The orange thing in my avatar will be kept for carving duties. But the 14 does have decent clearance for "reasonable" use, true?
I am a little surprised at the listed OEM spring rates though.

Honestly - the 14 is a very capable bike. I was followed by a guy on a 600 for miles through canyons. When we stopped I asked why he didn't pass....I gave him chances. He said he wanted to watch....din't think the bike could do that LoL He saw me drag it and slide about a foot....said he thought I was going to crash. He was right....just a few months off LoL

I also did the Iron Butt (1000/24hrs).....twice in a week......stock seat even.

Lean it and burn it ......poor tire LoL

* Last updated by: 06BlueZX14 on 10/22/2013 @ 9:27 PM *

I hear ya! Flick it and rip it baby
Be safe.

* Last updated by: rikkitik on 10/23/2013 @ 7:50 AM *

Rikki, you can do a lot better than that! The 14 is a bike you're going to keep for a long time so don't be in a hurry. There's good bikes for a lot less.