Hi everyone,

I just wanted to post a quick note saying hello! When I got into motorcycles in 2008 I spotted a 2006 ZX14 in a dealership and thought "Someday I want one of THOSE!" 15+ years and a few motorcycles later, I finally felt I could both handle and afford one and recently purchased a 2016 ZX14R (my favorite paint scheme!).

I've checked in on these forums here and there over the years and am glad to finally have one of these beautiful bikes! It's been everything I hoped it would be so far. Your posts, combined with countless YouTube videos, have helped keep me motivated to eventually get one of my own.

I don't have much to offer technically in terms of mechanics or riding, but consider myself a fan/enthusiast nonetheless.

Thanks!

Hi there, Fin! 2008 was the year I really got into this as well. It's been a huge part of my life ever since. If you fell in love all those years ago and are still feeling it, you made the right choice.

Thank you, Rook! 2008 was a good year for motorcycle newbies, it seems!

And thanks! I was nervous it'd be a let down after so much waiting and anticipation, but it has been amazing.

Congrats and welcome! I spent the majority of my riding years on the Suzuki side of things (still there), but thought it might be interesting to see what the other side was like, around 2019. Have a small collection of Kawasaki bikes now (ZX11D, ZX14, Concours and ZX14R) along with a few others. Don't do a lot of posting, but do put my nose into threads regularly. Pics are highly encouraged, BTW.

* Last updated by: BigBS on 6/18/2025 @ 1:04 PM *

Thank you! How do you like the ZX14R compared to your Suzukis? Is your Suzuki a Hayabusa?

And noted on pics haha. Here's a pic of mine getting ready to go into the shop to tidy up a thing or two (used bike, after all!).

* Last updated by: FinallyAZX14R on 6/24/2025 @ 4:20 PM *

Gen1 ZX-14 v Gen2 Hayabusa, it's raw v refined. The ZX-14 has a little more aggressive sound and the engine has more of an unbridled feel to it. The 14's brakes are way better, the Hayabusa has more torque down low.

Iiiinteresting, I see! Thanks for the info. My sights have always been set on the ZX14R but I'd be lying of I said I wasn't curious about the ZX14 or the Busa. They both look sweet.

Well Fin, you can always do what BigBS and I did and get both! In all honesty, when comparing the Gen1 ZX-14 to the Gen2 Hayabusa, I've always felt the Hayabusa was of slightly better build quality. It just seems like that motorcycle was engineered more thoroughly than the ZX-14. That extra couple foot pound of torque is noticeable at lower revs too. The ZX-14 has true character though. I'd actually consider trading off my 08 Hayabusa for another 08 ZX-14...but I can't let go of the busa either.

Now you've stepped up a notch to the Gen2 14R. It's the ultimate king of this whole category of bikes and there will probably never be another (unless you want to include the H2 in on this). My 100% stock 2024 14R feels remarkably similar to my Gen1 that had about 80 lbs taken off of it. The Hayabusa is another great big bike that threads a needle in handling when you get acclimated to it. The 14R accelerates hard like the other two but when it hits 7-8000 rpm, it becomes an absolute wild beast. There is lots of extra power there. It might be the more recent factory tuning because most Gen2 ZX-14R owners tell me their's is absolutely linear throughout the revs. I thought the bump in power might have been due to Traction Control. My friend at work has the same bike and says his does it with TC on or off. It's a cool looking bike but if you were looking for the strongest hyperbike ever manufactured, you got it.

I would consider an older H2. I still don't know if they cracked the ECU on the latest ones. I never fell for the Gen3 Hayabusa. It's a beautiful bike but here we are four years later and everyone's still trying to come up with aftermarket stuff to make it as fast as it should have been out of the crate. The latest thing I heard of is aftermarket cams. You shouldn't have to go in and do engine work on a brand new, much more expensive bike to bring it up to par with the previous Gen. The Gen3 Hayabusa took a nosedive IMO. It just doesn't have the intrigue the earlier gens have. Maybe Suzuki will make a better one but I doubt it. It's going to end with the 14R. The H2 will be holding the spot after that.