I've been riding sport bikes since the mid 90's, had standard bikes before that.

I'm posting this as an open question for those who have experience with other big sport bikes going back in time, vs the ZX-14.

I logged about 75,000 miles on (2) ZX-11's - bought both bikes new (sold the first one after 10k miles for a profit on some Euro deal, then immediately bought a second). The bike was fun, but it hated turns, had to lean massively on downhill curves to avoid the fade. I then went to the ZX-12R when it first came out, fell in love with that bike. Super light compared to the 11, faster, easier to turn. The ZX-12R did have a high riding position, which took some getting used to. I kept that bike for 10 years before selling it off. Took a few years off due to working in other countries and states.

I bought my ZX-14R in October, and have ridden mostly in the Santa Cruz Mountains where I live and the bike is unbelievable. I was not expecting such great balance and ease in the curves. Even something as simple as doing a short radius turn in a parking lot is easy on this thing - that is, compared to the other bikes I've ridden.

Without droning on too much - have you guys (who have experience on other 1 liter bikes) noticed the same thing?

Past bikes...Harley heritage 2000.Harley UltraGlide Classic.ZZR 1200.ZX12R...2004.ZX14...2007...and now...ZX14R...2013 ABS.This bike now is the premiere sportbike IMO.It's a SPORTBIKE.NOT a 1K.It won't handle like a 1K...although it'll take care of virtually every road I can hit.I wouldn't even try to run her on some super tight twisting roads at any big speed...but other than that...this baby rocks in every other situation....Turning is light and comfy...no drama with mine.U-Turns...very easy.Balance...superb.Handling...excellent for her weight.Body fitment,quality....top of the line.WOW factor....unlimited;)

Maintenance...simple and straightforward.Performance....top predator.Reliability....10K miles so far...ZERO issues.Not one.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/6/2013 @ 11:43 AM *

I had an 86 Ninja 1000, comfy as hell, decent motor but didn't like turns as much as I do. Add warping front rotors and it could be a handful. Then I had a 2001 ZX-9. Really liked that one. Can't remember why I sold it. Great motor, handled good, fairly comfy but did put some strain on the ole wrists. 04 ZX10R. That one I had a Speigler LSL Superbike bar kit on it and was set up as a streetfighter. Very comfy in that configuration. Crazy motor, but I could NEVER get the front forks to work. Even with soft springs and a revalve it was harsh as hell. Handled great on smooth corners but add ANY bumps and it was a chattering, nervous wreck. ZX14--what can I say. I ride probably 80% 2-up with my wife and I don't have to slow down with her on the back at ALL. Everything from bumpy goat trails to fast sweeps this bike handles while stifling a yawn. Great all around machine and probably the best bike I've owned.

Mad

I've been riding sportbikes since 80's ("sport" standards before that). I just bought a '12 14R. I find the 14R is an amazingly capable bike. As you mention, very easy on turn in and side to side, for as big as it is. There are a couple things (measurements) in it's chassis geometry I thought were unique (and contradictory) for a bonafide 200mph/dragrace monster. Not what I expected at all, in the specs OR feel. Some of the nicest stock brakes I've ever used too. Kawasaki did a helluva job on this one!
When I was shopping for one, I looked on ebay and was astounded by the volume of "crash" parts available! Then after riding one I understood why. Light handling, tons of torque. Way too easy for even moderately experienced riders to get in over their heads QUICKLY. This bike feels (to me) like it has a heart of gold, but does command respect.
For reference, I also have a VERY trick Gen1 10R that I will never sell. I live in the Bay Area too, we probably frequent a few of the same roads.

97 ZX9R still got it, 2001 Hayabusa, and the 2007 14 is always first out of the garage, ridiculous braking power, a monster motor that will make any passenger hold on for dear life, but so smooth and manageable that you would not even think you are on such a brute! Comfort that put me back on long trip mind frame, just a great do everything bike from Deals Gap to just straight open highway to around town cruising I can't get enough of this bike, getting a Gen 2 to add to the stable for the cherry on top!

My first sportbike...kinda sportbike was a 2002 Katana. That bike did everything pretty good, but nothing perfect. The worse thing about a Katana is the wait...you twist the throttle wide open and then you wait. So next came a 2004 GSXR 1000, wow! The weight and the wait were both gone. Only problem with a GSXR is being in good enough shape to ride one, after 100 miles I was whipped. So not being willing to have a bike with less power than a liter bike and not liking the looks of a hayabusa, the ZX14 was what I set my sights on. This bike is by far the best bike I've ever ridden/owned. I ride all day long without getting sore. The power, braking and handling are great, just an awesome machine.

Good stories guys. One more thing I forgot to add is that this bike is comfy to go on long rides. I rode the bike for 5 hours straight on the day before Thanksgiving from Santa Cruz to Pioneer, CA in the High Sierra. (Normally that is a 3 1/2 hour ride but massive traffic meant lane splitting at 20 mph for a long time). I was certainly ready to get off the bike by that time, but 5 hours is do-able, maybe more.

My old 1980 Suzuki GS 1100E was like the world's largest dirtbike when it cam to handling in low speed or sketchy traction type situations. Easiest bike ever to U-turn without taking a dab, just dial up some torque if you were on muddy turf or sand, it didn't care. It had adjustable suspension and when I put the best tires of the era (Pirelli Dragons) it felt as if it were 100 lbs lighter than it really was. The long wheelbase and weight (550 lbs) could pretty much overwhelm the rear suspension in fast turns, so it wasn't near as sporty as the ZX-14, which has even better suspension and shorter wheelbase, not to mention nearly twice the bhp. Tires are even better now, but both machines were paradigm-shattering when they first came out. I put lower bars and rearsets on the Spuzook and higher bars and am considering lower pegs on the ZX. Adjusting the valves on the 1100E was a snap with screw-and-locknut lash adjusters and the occasional carb synch and cleaning kept it running sharp. I put a lot more miles on a bike now than I did then, and the smoothness and liquid-cooling of the ZX are much appreciated.

Forgot to mention, I put nearly 50K on a 2004 ZZR 1200. Very visceral motor, like being pushed by the Hand Of God, but a bit weighty at 600 lbs. I could get it bent into a fast turn, but getting it straightened back up was a rasslin' match. It was a bit buzzy at certain rpm and the brakes weren't as good as the 14's although with Braking Wave rotors and good pads, they were more than passable. Had a truckload of fun and went a lot of places on it. A dog submarined me one day and that was that.

* Last updated by: Danno on 12/6/2013 @ 7:48 PM *

My previous bike, which was my first, was a 2000 ZRX1100. Bought used, had her for 6 years, did a fair bit of work on her, probably racked up 30K miles.

I loved her, but compared to the 14 she was a pig. Sorry. I said it.

I think the ZX14 is an evolution along that lineage, she is better at everything, FI, shocks, brakes, power, balance, agility. Yeah the 14 is a little heavier but handles better in spite of it. Under the the plastic the 14 has the same soul as the ZRX, but is just superior in every way.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 12/7/2013 @ 2:06 PM *

My previous bike was a honda cbr1100xx blackbird which I loved and thought I would never update her until I rode a zx14. After that ride I just had to get one so I did and never regret updating,

well hello guys... my impression of the ZZR1400...mmm let me think....i just turned 200K on my oddo meter from end of 2007, and i ordered the 2014 ZZR1400 estimated to arrive 10.1.2014 ...i guess i said it all....
i had before that ZZR1100 which i turned in after 240K km...i work with the bike and for me its freedom and work together. i don't race or wheelly or smoke my rear tiers... i am to old for that. i do however cover 900 and more km per day, on a 5 day trip i may cover 3k many times 12 hours endurance..my work has to do with the borders on the country, and i do need to visit their often, however airplane is too much of a hassle, with these long waiting hours so i rather take the bike and hit the road. it may sound nuts but practically after calculating very well time/ flexibility/costs its the best way to go.
one thing i can tell you...this bike does not need petting of any sort, after servicing it every 15k (oil and filters) 50k drive chain and 100k timing chain, wheels every 25-27k...no one drop of oil was missing in between...absolutely not! in my desperation i was thinking that i will need valve tuning , but on 100 there was no need to...and on 150k i tuned 1 valve only....i started really feeling odd...my BMW friends went in and out of service with empty wallets.. and mine was just changing oil and filters (spark plugs ever 25-30k). the only reason the company changes it is that the value of the 200k service costs more than the market value of the bike after all these millage (and well frame is not as rigid as it used too and i am worried of the alloy fatigue which is sure there but i cant measure it.
guys ..its a fantastic bike..and i ride hard from 1978..i have 2 bikes i keep in my heart ...ZZR1100 and the ZX14 2007..

My impression is that the ZX14 is an incredibly well designed and balanced motorcycle. While you can't flip it over the way you can a 600 sportbike (not that _I_ can do that anyway) but I find the handling superb. I also find that even though the ZX14 has the heart of a beast, it's among the more well-behaved bikes I have ever ridden. The engine makes power at almost every rpm so all you ever need to do is twist the throttle and it goes faster. Just don't twist too much!

I love it, I had an FZ1 and a Suzuki B-King before. Both of those were comfy, powerful bikes, but WOW does the 14R do everything well. Handles better, faster, torquier, and just as comfy now that I added some risers and pegs. Now I need summer back.

Largest displacement bike I had before my 2010 14 was a 2003 ZX12R.
Ridiculous in a straight line, not so much in the tights corners and WAY scary.
I find that the 14s that I've owned (2) have way more real-world riding READ: manageable power than the 12R.
I guess some might call it more "refined" power.

Rob