Hey guys, first post here

I will end buy a 14R if I get on but since that bike just came out I wanted to post my questions here. My first is if anyone here has owned a CBR1100XX. I have spend years and years on that bike and loved almost every second of it. It may sound crazy but I am looking for something with more power below 6000K. I live in Colorado and you wouldn't believe how slow a bike with 135hp feels at 9000ft. Any reason I wouldn't love the ZX14?

I'm also wondering how well this bike is suited for touring and racking up perhaps 100,000 miles? I already plan on modifying everything I can to make it more comfortable, so it's just the basics that I'm interested in. Everyday livability and most importantly reliability. I ride to California every year and it's 4500 miles each trip, so it's super important to get my there an back with out issues AND not have a bike issue ruin my only chance every year to take a trip. Thoughts?

Thanks!

As delivered, it is and never will be a touring bike.

You can minimalist sport tour, but not at the level of, for example, a C14 or Honda ST or BMW K.

Day and weekend trips, ok, but not the most comfortable at the end of a long day of riding.

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As privateer stated the ZX-14 has more of a sport bike than a touring bike feel no matter what you do to it but to answer your question on the reliability I ride my 2008 ZX-14 everyday it’s my only mode of transportation and it has been extremely reliable just basic maintenance and ride best bike I have ever had! And hopefully Bean (one of the members here) will chime in he switched to his ZX-14 from a blackbird!

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My first is if anyone here has owned a CBR1100XX.

Firstly G'Day Auron Yes I've had two the First one I bought Brand New in 2003 I loved it but could not trust myself to behave lol and sold it after only 10 months, then after coming home in 2008 from Perth (WA) I bought a KLE500 & went for a ride two-up following my mate on his 2001 XJR1300 I rang the neck out of it but obviously couldn't keep up with him lol,to my supprise my wife said Bean you've got to get another CBR1100xx so I bought this 2004 one two weeks later! I also did a few mods to her @ Christmas time then late Feb 2010 we were coming back from down South & with no real intension I decided to test ride a 2010 Demo ZX1400,in the car park my wife said your NOT buying one!!Nah im only taking one for a test ride !! anyway I returned the bike and came back to my car & Nadene said whats THAT ! oh it's the sale slip i've just bought one ! ha ha she said were not getting a loan I replied i've got two weeks to sell my X-Trail Well long story but I was in ore with my PCV/Dynoed Blackbird & yet after feeling the ZX1400 was so much more Linnear between the gears and so much more balanced then my 04 Bird I had a choice the Busa (YUCK) the pathetic VFR1200 or MY Orsum Big Red ZX1400 !! all i can add is im in my 50th year (September) and my wife & I absolutly love touring around on it,in fact in just over 7 weeks were going across the Bass Straight for 13 days off my "Bucklist" Touring al around Tassie

* Last updated by: bean07 on 1/26/2012 @ 12:38 AM *

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Its hard to get a straight answer these days, what is a sports tourer??

Have ridden CBR-1100 also CBR -1000F as well, FJR -1300 , as well as BMW K1300 and a bunch more.

If you bought one you couldn't go wrong, there is nothing about this bike that all of the above can do better.

If you get on the ZX 14 and like the rider position you should be right.

I do lots of long and short rides, get a sore ass the seats not the best but I put up with it, easy to fix though

Honda's are Honda's, thoes old Honda motors just go for ever and as long as you treat them the same should be similar

This thing has a higher performance engine,logic says that they wont last as long, truth is they haven't been around very long yet although some guy are starting to get big miles up.

Treat as you did the Honda and you should get similar results

I came from an 07 ergos modded zx14.I couldn't ride the stock seat...had to replace that with a Connie seat.That fixed the sore azz syndrome(for me).Heli risers and genmars(both on there) removed any wrist issues for me.Had LSL's on there with a 7" sweep,and 4" rise at one period of time.Nice...comfy.But lost some of the
sportbike' feel in handling and such.But was very good at long range cruising.Once those are on there....you can't just "switch back to stock' easily at all.So that's something to consider...whereas the risers and that can be removed very quickly with no drama(for returning to a sportier ergo position).I'm 6'1"....175 lbs.All these mods helped a lot to make my 07 more comfortable(for me that is).

NOW...I bought a 14R(you did say you were 'getting' one,right?If not...disregard this answer).I will say...without any hesitation....this new model is set up from the factory extremely well ergo'd(very subjective here)(it fit me better personally...but everyone's different natch).The suspension settings will play a big role however in how comfortable any 14 is riding...so that's also very subjective.From the windflow over the nose and pilot to the SEAT comfort,it beat my stock 07(for me that is).I did not fidget at all on my rides so far.Nothing.I've payed attention to the feeling on this bike...and it is quite different than my 07.The bar reach is somehow different...IDK what they actually did to get it to feel this way...except what they mentioned in their 'brochure'.The CG is lower for one thing.The engine is heavier.The steering head has been manipulated somehow as well.The seat shape is very very different and the seat foam has also been changed from the stock 07 foam.I really tried to feel some discomfort on my bike...I honestly could NOT feel any discomfort from any seating position to tucking to sitting upright.If you're getting the 14R...you won't notice these things if you've not ridden an earlier model.So really...it'll be a very very sweet smooth ride for ya(as are the other model 14's...all years).I would only say...in MY opinion....the 14r is smoother.BUT....any 14 is the smoothest running big sportbike out there...period.The earlier 14's and the new 14R are so close in smoothness...it's very hard to say one's 'smoother' than the other...they're very close.

Let me say this right here...so nobody misunderstands.The earlier models are an excellent choice for any type of touring or fast riding or whatever.Some mods maybe...IF you need them(IDK)in the ergos/seat dept(that IF is a personal thing...doesn't mean the bike comes off the showroom needing ANYTHING...IMO...it doesn't).But If it works for ya without any changing of anything...very good.And in most cases it probably does.I benefited from some minor ergos mods....you might not need any at all.

As for reliability....I rode my 07 to 51,000 miles.I NEVER had a roadside breakdown.Never was afraid to go anywhere.No leaks...nothing.Regular maintenance,chain,oil(including FORK OIL(which I never did change )and the normal stuff...pads,airfilters,plugs...she ran top notch.I NEVER worried about getting stranded...never.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/26/2012 @ 2:42 AM *

Yes, the reliability part is all there, the ZX14 is pretty much going to run forever without any problems if you take care of it.

But the first part of the original question was would it "tour". The answer has to be based on a correct definition of "tour". So the answer is, NO.

Will it "sport tour"? Yes.

Whats the difference? "Tour" goes 10 hours, rider gets off the bike, ready to party. "Sport Tour" goes 10 hours, rider gets off the bike, feels sore and tired.

Some of you could hang with me on my ride to Arkansas from Maryland this summer. But as bad as my back and neck and knees are, you would be in more pain than I by the 3rd day.

Seating position, arm position, windstream all make a difference when you are doing true long rides.

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True Privateer...central IN down to the Tail-of-the-Dragon was tiring enough on the laid back 1600 Vulcan. Don't think I could do it on the Ninja with only risers.

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Riding long distances on ANY bike is a matter of being in shape for it. Some bikes (Goldwings, at the extremes) make it easier than others, but there are folks who have ridden scooters and Honda MB5s cross country, so it's mostly a matter of how bad you wanna go and how much you are willing to put up with.

If your idea of "touring" is laying back with your feet on the highway pegs and taking hands-free photographs while you float across the desert, the ZX-14's probably not for you. But if you equip it properly and get yourself in riding shape, it'll go anywhere you want it to.

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Which is why I made a mistake in buying a ZX14, Danno. I'm too beat up to ever get in "good shape" again.

My original order was for a 2008 ZX10, because that was what I liked of the last 4 bikes I'd owned, the most. But before it came in, I realized I can't tuck like that anymore. So I changed my order to a ZX14 to stay on the performance side.

Had I a do-over, I'd buy a C14 and be done with it.

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Thanks for the replies!

I don't consider any sportbike off the floor to be capable of touring. Like with my XX, I would use a spiegler bar riser kit, custom corbin, touring screen, pegs, heated grips, luggage all that stuff on a new 14R.

Sound like this bike is a keeper! Any comments on power below 6000K compared to say...a Concours or ST1300? I also read the 14R doesn't need to have the flies pulled for maximum low end power?

You know...the 14 may NOT be the best of what you're looking for.IDK.I used to think about this on some of my longer rides...day rides.I thought..."how would this bike be on something like 6 states run,or coast to coast.In all honesty(IMO)...even though I could do it....I don't think I'd want to do with the 14.Don't get me wrong.She's totally capable.Maybe if I was younger...yeah....

this would be talking about my 07.Set up the way it was...for mainly sporting rides.But even with the LSL's and that...I don't feel the design is really 'built' for that kind of service.Privateer's got one set up....he most likely wouldn't agree with me on this.Now...I'd have to say here though,that my new 14R feels similar to my 07....BUT.....I would not hesitate to go coast to coast on THIS bike at all.Although it's similar in regards to general design,it rides quite differently than my 07.And yes...I maintained the Throttlebodies sync schedule and Plugs schedule and all.Valve check.All that.So she was very smooth and strong.

If you really want a tourer...and ya want reliability...and ya like Kawasakis...the C-14 MAY be the best choice out the gate.It's got some excellent factory stuff on there,ABS...slipper clutch...and NO CHAIN...which can be really nice.It won't pogo stick like earlier shaft drives.And the power delivery to the rear wheel feels just like a chain drive(almost).The motor is very strong...like the 14.It'll wheelie...yup..it will.Burn rubber.It's got plenty of torque.Reliable.You won't spend a bankroll trying to set er up for touring.Everything is there.The new models are even MORE refined.You might want to check the C-14 out....take a ride on both...see what ya think.

They've done some very nice new upgrades to the C-14.Windscreen.Heat displacement.Among other things.She's quite refined.You wouldn't be disappointed gettin that model...IF you're planning on long hours in the saddle and big power.The smoothness is also extremely good.Shifting...all that.You can manually adjust the suspension feel right there without any drama....easy.That's pretty nice when ya don't want to get yer tools out and such to pull over and make an adjustment or whatever.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/26/2012 @ 11:04 AM *

My XX was everything I needed it to be, I have spent lots of time on a ST1300 and it great but to me, the way a sportbike feels when loading up the front time entering a turn is what motorcycling is all about. I should probably ride a C14 it's a pig in comparision, at least from what I have heard on the XX website by guys that have bought one since Honda cares more about making robots motorcycles these days.

I dunno

Which is why I made a mistake in buying a ZX14, Danno. I'm too beat up to ever get in "good shape" again.
My original order was for a 2008 ZX10, because that was what I liked of the last 4 bikes I'd owned, the most. But before it came in, I realized I can't tuck like that anymore. So I changed my order to a ZX14 to stay on the performance side.
Had I a do-over, I'd buy a C14 and be done with it.

Lots of us old farts are coming to that realization. I'm still too duckin' fumb. ( I'll be 61 in March) By the time this 14's worn out, I'll be ready for something saner.

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Friend rides 2011 GTR 1400 and loves it says its a better bike all round that his ST 1300 which he did 80,000klm on

His only complaint is fuel consumption, and fuel carrying capacity,

Which is my biggest complaint , the fuel range on the ZX14. It should of had a 25 liter tank, its possibly the only thing that lets the bike down as a sports tourer.

When I ride I will run 3 to 4 tanks of fuel a day, and your always looking for the next stop how far and where is it.

I would class a ST 1300 as a motor home, not a sports tourer.

The Black Bird is no ST 1300. if you haven't ridden a 14 you'll never know until you do.

Most people tend to pick GTR1400 as a great 2 up bike, and the ZX14 for solo, both can be great to use as a sports tourer

I live in Colorado too and am plenty happy with 50hp but the ZX14 interests me as a friend of mine who's 74 got one believe it or not the nut he is. As to the touring capability, I don't know if anyone here has heard of Tonci Ordulj. He's from Croatia and rode his ZX14 (different designation in Europe, ZZR I think". Well he started out doing 1500 miles in 24 hrs, Then after that did the BBG3000 which is back to back 1500 mile days for 3000 miles+ in 48 hours is a tough ride which I've done personally. The toughest ride of them all is the trifecta which is 4500 documented miles in 3 days. Tonci did it on the ZX14, then a month later did the 10,000 miles in 10 days to the North Cape I think it's called in Europe, another tough ride. So just these rides account for 20,000 miles more or less and I don't think Tonci add risers or any other Chinese gimmick. The bike is plenty capable of covering the road, I'm convinced of that.

ethin14 - When KHI added "econo mode" ECU setting for the C14, they were starting to address that. One of the rumors (and they are just that, rumors) for the 2013 C14 is a bigger gas tank. I get over 200 miles on a tank with my ZX14. When I create rides using MapSource, I have to schedule gas stops sooner than I need them, because there are other bikes on the ride which cannot go as far. Some of the touring bikes have trouble going as far. Of course, thats me in cruise mode.

* Last updated by: privateer on 1/26/2012 @ 10:22 PM *

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RonKZ650, welcome to the site hope you end up with a 14 soon, in 2010 I think, a bloke near me Dave road in the farriders, I think its called in the USA on a GTR 1400 sadly was killed by a deer near CA I think it was
They ride East coast to West coast doing big days day after day.

I would have trouble with concentration issues I think, done 1000 miles in a day and about 800 the next would be my best effort, ya need to be feeling lucky to do that

Welcome to the site you to Auron missed your new

privateer that would be good, they need a little extra

My 14 gets about 280klm and I'm looking for gas, unless of course your under it then your always looking for gas

Can be a long way between stations.

I ride with GIXERS 1000 and BMW 1000rr they run out before me, bit like you that way

"Happiness isn't about having what you want , its about wanting what you have"...So TRUE!

I'll do about 800km a day,no interstate,truck routes mainly.The 14 works fine for me,I'll be 60 this year

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"RonKZ650, welcome to the site hope you end up with a 14 soon, in 2010 I think, a bloke near me Dave road in the farriders, I think its called in the USA on a GTR 1400 sadly was killed by a deer near CA I think it was
They ride East coast to West coast doing big days day after day

I would have trouble with concentration issues I think, done 1000 miles in a day and about 800 the next would be my best effort, ya need to be feeling lucky to do that"

Thanks for the welcome. Yes I'm familier with Davo Jones and the tragic deer collision. It was 2009. I have a picture of davo along with the rest of my deceased friends hanging here at work in rememberence.

* Last updated by: RonKZ650 on 1/27/2012 @ 8:10 AM *

ethin14 - benefit of a Garmin GPS on bike..... "search for nearest [fuel]... click click click.... please follow the highlighted route"

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I can ride a sit up bike for about an hour before my back starts killing me. I am much more comfortable for the long haul on my ZX14. I do 500 mile days quite often. Leaning forward streches your vertebrae and sitting up will compress it. I am 61 with a knee replacement, shattered collarbone, and once broke my sternum in a Ultralite aircraft crash. I get 42 mpg running 80 on the interstate.

scottfarm wrote:

I can ride a sit up bike for about an hour before my back starts killing me. I am much more comfortable for the long haul on my ZX14. I do 500 mile days quite often. Leaning forward streches your vertebrae and sitting up will compress it. I am 61 with a knee replacement, shattered collarbone, and once broke my sternum in a Ultralite aircraft crash. I get 42 mpg running 80 on the interstate.

What you say is true, but not universally so. Not everyone has the same back injuries. Not everyone hurts when sitting upright. It is true for you, which is of course most important to you as it should be.

Those that say they do 500+ miles a day, do you do it every weekend during riding season? Do you mix longer days in with it? Do you do it in minimum time stopping just for fuel and water, and never more than 10-15 minutes at a time? Do you do it OFF the superslab?

For example, when we ride to Rhode Island from Maryland, we arrive in mid-afternoon. That is only 450 miles, but because we stay off superslab, and are going through Smokey the Bear territory, it is 6 hours and change. A lot of sportbike people don't understand that it takes time to transit through towns and such, all they ever do is zoom around on slab, maybe scenic, but still slab. If you ride the distance in the mountains, its going to take longer.

I'm not picking on the superbike folks, the touring bike folks are guilty too. I know quite a few, and ride with them, who have overblown estimations of their prowess as motorcyclists because they bang out long trips mostly on superslab. But, and I shudder to use this example because I really liked this guy, when one of them gets all big headed and goes down to the Dragon (we rode straight through, they crowed), what did he do? Panic, freeze, grab four fingers of front brake, run through a guardrail, never will ride again unless he buys a trike.

20 years ago I could ride a lot more, a lot longer..... maybe. Because I'm getting it done today, still.

scottfarm, I envy you your knee replacement. Those make the pain go away. I am still two years away from having mine done, I'm guessing. I could speed it up, but I'm not in any hurry to get cut on. Though the pain pills and antimflamatory drugs are doing only ok.

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