I've been riding since about 12, just turned 55 in February and bought my first Kawi this past Sat.
It's a 14 in Mean Green with the flames. I've been putting a few miles on each day, super smooth and comfortable to ride.
I'm 6' 03" @ 300 and it's not to bad just wish I had a little more leg room.
One thing I noticed today though was with a 59* outside temp at stop lights the water temp shoots up.
It as at 190* and I watched it go 195, 200, 205 and 207* in less than a minute. I started looking around to see if I was loosing coolant?!
The fans kicked on and I was able to get moving as the temp dropped, but is this normal?
I cut my ride short as I have never had anything shoot up that quick before unless it blew a hose.
So please tell me what gives on the 14.
It's a 2012 ZX14.
Never had a bike without a center stand either, I don't want to scratch up the swing arm but I'll need to get it lifted for adjustments, can you guys direct me?
Looking at the pit bull, Do I need sliders?
Of course I'll have to do the pipes down the road along with a MAP, looking like the Brock's.
Can you tell me if there in a inch up and an inch back seat, that would give me some leg room?
I really don't see much else I'll be changing in the near future, but we all know how that can change too :)

The bike and I just seem to mesh, the corners are feeling good, no problems with the short bars, able to turn around without putting my feet down, I am really, really liking the way things are going on my 1st Mean Green.
This bike in Green just seems so right....

This bike will be traveling with me to Texas in few weeks and I'll be running some old stomping grounds around Austin soon, hope the heat thing is not a problem.

Thanks in advance for the feedback

Chuck

PS..Forgot to ask about the rear brakes, they don't seem to be seating in very well and have little stopping power, is this normal on a 14?

* Last updated by: macaw1us on 4/23/2012 @ 9:33 PM *

Macaw1us,

To the fam. great choice you will love it for shore.

As for the heat they all run a bit hot it's a 1400cc's but you should check your coolent level to make shore it's not low it should not get that hot that fast but then again it's not that hot up my way yet so some of the other guys can give you better advice then I.

Check out the ZX14r section an all your questions will be answered.

* Last updated by: Black1 on 4/23/2012 @ 10:05 PM *

Welcome and as Black1 stated check out the ZX-14R section and most of your questions have been asked and if you can’t find what you’re looking for just ask and they will be answered as for the heat they get hot fast when at a standstill and the back break is only good for wheelies and if you want more leg room you can get some 1” drop pegs and that will help tremendously!!!

Snuffy

Buell footpegs drop the pegs about 1". All the 14s run hot. My fan is on ANY time my bike sits still. Hasn't been a problem. You can get bar risers from Genmar or e-bay that will lift the bars around 1".
Look around the forum and you'll learn all sorts of neat things about your bike.

Mad

Welcome to the forum... shoot me a PM when you get to Austin if you wanna hear how Brock's CT dual Sounds

G'day macaw1us Great place for everything Specific "ZX14_14R"