Ya....Well....she's home!My God...this bike is almost indescribable.I couldn't go too fast....didn't want any things going wrong.Kept her between 4K and a few small bursts to 6k.Ktrc set to '1'.Power...'full'.I didn't try....but,this thing is gonna wheely all over the place if ya choose to go that route.I tried to get a feel for the thrust....hard to do in that rpm/gear range.WAY stronger than the earlier birds.WAY.No vibes.NONE.Engine idle...smooth.Engine sounds?purring,whistling at certain rpms ).No surprises engine wise.Or any other way...yet.Seat...VERY NICE....as good as the Connie easily.Take offs and mild accelerations....smooth and strong.I can live right now with the fairing damage...it isn't as terrible looking as it was at the shop...but they're gonna get my new fairings this next few days.Have a pic up on Facebook from my Dealer's site.I didn't see it,yet.No pics just yet...still trying to process this whole deal...it finally getting here and actually riding her.Brakes feel great...better than the other.This thing has so much power in it....you can just feel it wanting to lift(and it will if you blip it for sure) in second and running quick up to 4k,or 6k.

The first gear 'clunk' is 'almost' non-existent.The shift quality RIGHT NOW is superb.Extremely smooth and...well,smooth.Much nicer than the earlier ones.I'm thinkin when she's all the way settled in...she's gonna be a friggin rocketship out there.Man....this baby's NICE.The clutch works better than the older ones.Shifting is very precise and snickety.I'm very happy.You guys really need to go ride one if possible.You WILL be amazed at the rideability and strength in this new bike.It's really beyond the earlier models in every way.Just great!Can't hardly wait to get her out and spend some break-in time with er.Gonna be REALLY sweet after that.

I'll post up some pics here in a bit...this is just overwhelming.Really...this bike IS badazz.

Poor lighting for some reason.But...you get the idea!More to follow later.Thank God I can FINALLY get some sleep!!!!!

a little better.Color there is very accurate.She's a beaut alright.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/3/2011 @ 2:07 PM *

WOW....That Color is Sick!!!
Congrats Grn!!!
Snuffy

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... but my friend Bill who is one of the owners of Long Island Kawasaki said "there is no need to break these bikes in anymore".

I somewhat agree and somewhat disagree. This engine is setup tight. The ass-puckers here can tell you that bike at one time was hot and tight you run some R's to it on the new break-in. Then, about 2K miles in the heat cycle, she runs in a new type spin. It spins easier. Some rods may be too tight and those may have been the case events. No one will really cough up what really happened to that last shift or how abused that bike was trying to act the break-in article. A fast gall is all it takes to expand and snowball that journal bearing.

Also one of the wrenches over there is a roadracer and has taken several bikes right out of the crate to the track with no issues. So do whatever makes you feel good as far as breaking it in goes

I don't see any other way short of some dyno or shakedown run. That was my last bike. It had to be bone stock and everything working. Here I am with everything taped up, shook it down in some canyon near my house and what were the odds getting caught, no insurance, no tags for the street. Other bikes were fresh out of the crate and on the track no problem. The part about this is she gets torn down each time. A street bike won't.

And yes, I knew a guy that would prep bikes, run the piss out of them to find the fastest one he could sense a difference. That is why you want to select one cam after cam you had free dibs at some cam house maker; same with, piston after piston... No one measures the same. The trick is to find that blueprinted bike/part to gain a racing/performance edge.

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Hey Grn
Now that She is Home,I know your gonna be tinkering around with her so dont forget to take some notes and Pics of how the freaking fairings Come Off for us fellas that havent recieved there bikes yet! ;)
Thanks
snuffy

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That is sad. I don't think I tagged a bike [that damaging] shoving those piles in and out everyday. Grn? That paint job was a one spray wonder. I'm not saying it will not match up, but what a wasted on all ends. No one wins. And if that was a, 'dealer ding,' not crate damage, you should eat the scratch, have them pour equal amounts of out of pocket is that parts and labor bill; so replace it with oil filters and air filters. Whats a ding when this bike is going to get pelted with rocks and tiny stones, bugs, plus, you'll be ripping the dust up on the bike anyway.
Scratch-Scratch

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You guys are just great..thanks all for the upbeat messages!Honestly.

Hub...I didn't really take a pic of the damage...but it's way worse than a scratch.Unfortunately.It's cracked and broken.It's okay...he's got a new set coming soon.No big deal really,long as the frame and all was untouched...as it apparently was.Kawasaki would have the guy's head whoever did that!Best keep that on the QT I seriously doubt it was my dealer's fault.Guess it COULD have been...IDK.Not gonna sweat it anymore now that I know she's home!

Fairing fasteners and such are pretty trick.I'll have some pics here in a bit...gonna see tonight about my two week plus long 'quest' to find out about the collector outlet!!!Soon...goin out there in a bit and take a few things off...pipe first!Now...for more Coffee!!!

Let me say right now...for the record...the fitment on this motorcycle is absolutely top end.EVERYTHING looks fitted and where it's supposed to be seamwise and all.No gaps going on.Nice,mated surfaces.Flush where they're supposed to be.Paint quality...excellent.Nice and deep looking and very nice clearcoat.They've really outdone themselves this time around.No scuff marks on the brake/clutch banjos...stuff like that.Pipes look great...nice titanium color.BIGGER in DIAMETER!!!!Visibly bigger!The lettering WILL come off(nothing clearcoated over)...gettin my hairdryer out here later.

Okay..she's all debadged now.I checked my GoPro suction mount on the tank cover dip....unlike my 07....the suction mount is gonna work EXCELLENT!!!!Gonna be PERFECT for frontal view rides.And I won't be needing to figure out how to stabilize the cam any more.Gonna be just fine with the mount arms it already has.WoHoooo!!!!!C'mon Spring!!!!!She's just awesome....man....never ridden a bike THIS nice EVER.Me VERY HAPPY!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/4/2011 @ 12:37 AM *

As soon as I get back from being deployed ...I am picking mine up.. I called the dealer were I live and he is saying 14,8 for the green SE but thats not happening...but I cant decide on the color Green SE or Black...I like the green but I am not sure about those flames for me...But Congrats on the new 14R...She's a beauty

* Last updated by: TBZX14R on 12/4/2011 @ 6:26 AM *

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Congratulations. I love the color.... just don't like the flames. Did you remove the flames as well as the badges?

Also very interested in your exhaust findings. I'd like to know if 08-11 slip-ons will fit.

Pipes look great...nice titanium color.BIGGER in DIAMETER!!!!Visibly bigger!

Grn, can you get some pics of header, oil cooler, cat ????

THIS nice EVER.Me VERY HAPPY!

Telling Mom you opened Presents Early Lol. You sound Happy blue, Congrats. The torture will be staring at it all Winter. More pics please.

Same here on the flames.
I'll go Green only if they can be removed...

Grn,

Mount the GoPro facing to the rear!

I have a mount front and rear on mine and all the action is in the rear video, LOL!

NOTHING is gna be in front of you long enough to register on the photon collector,

Paul

* Last updated by: PaulAB on 12/4/2011 @ 3:28 PM *

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Geez...lost that entire update for you guys!!!Here's the short form.Flames...I really like em...wasn't sure at first either,but this baby looks MUCH better in person.They appear to be clearcoated over...so...you may be stuck with em if ya don't want to be.

Badges...will peel off w/hair dryer...gonna need some Goo Gone or something though cause the glue kinda remains after the letters are gone.No biggie.I used Alcohol and Meguiars yellow wax..that worked.Goo Gone is the way to go though.All badging and stickers are now GONE!!!!Front reflectors...GONE.Rear fender next...later...after I get the new metal plates.Awesome motorcycle you guys....just awesome!Fit and fitment is amazing.Solid.Gapless where there isn't supposed to be gaps.Very nicely figured out by Kawasaki.

Pipes...okay....the collector outlet is...2 and 1/16th approx.The 2011 aftermarket pipes MAY be fine,depending.My new Vance and Hines fit perfect diameter wise.The midpipe however was not able to slide forward on the collector pipe far enough.So I can't use these midpipes.It wasn't a matter of taking off some of the pipe...it was the flange where the pipe kinda narrows after it leaves the collector fitting part.The inside edge of the factory pipe stopped the midpipe from going any further.You guys MAY run into the same thing...IDK.I had my hopes up...but....no...it wasn't gonna go another 1".That's about what it needed to match up to the bolt attachment tab on the right side there.It did NOT require a gasket with these.

Some of you may get lucky with this.Let's hope so.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/4/2011 @ 5:06 PM *

Thanks for lettings us know about the clear coated flames.
Could you post a larger pic of your avatar, it looks great!

ktm950se

Good luck with the new bike Grn... It looks great... Im not gonna be ready for a new one yet since mine isnt that old, but Ive been offered a deal I cant pass right now on a 1000RR.. Out the door for 11999.00 no frieght no shit thats it out the door.. 3 year or 35000... Im thinking about it right now..

Im going to keep my 14 but Ive wanted one of the BMWs for awhile and with Gebos deal I have to think about it...

Anyways good luck with the beast and thx for the pics... Its looks badass....

Creeps...

@ ktm Green had the avatar long before he got the bike loool

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Ya...that avatar is RICKY GADSEN'S bike!I'll have one of my own here soon.(That's it as I type )

Okay...rear fender is OFF.Hugger going on today sometime.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/6/2011 @ 12:51 AM *

Congrats - that bike looks amazing!

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THNX GREG!

Damn you,I'm the same colour as your bike,I think they call it envy,congrats on your new baby

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About time Congratulations!!!!!

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Awesome bike and nice pics

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Hey Grn
What oils do they recommend in the manual?I read one of your threads that said there is more than one? Picking up the bike on Thurday and wanna pick up some oil so I can do an oil change after I take a spin home from the dealer.
Thanks
Snuffy

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