Just in case anyone here is feeling like it might make sense. Took some test rides and felt a flash and suspension work would make it a great bike. Several thousand dollars later I'm selling it for a song. It's not even half the bike the 14R is and that's being generous.

So, my main question is, are the Matte black 14R's difficult to clean? Why have I heard that somewhere and if it's true why?

No, not difficult to clean. I would foam mine and wash it down and blow it dry.
I even used Plexus Spray for a quick clean.
And yes I too stupidly traded it and currently going back to a ZX-14r.

Is it ok to let dirt and bugs sit for a while if you don't want to wash it constantly? This will be my only bike and will see a lot of daily use.

I just do a quick wipe down after any ride if possible. The bikes are durable, I am
a little compulsive. Let it sit if you want, no sin.

I would think it depends on where you live and what time of year it is. I hear there are bugs in TX that will damage paint if let sit. I often leave the bugs on mine a while but there was one time the guts seemed to etch the paint. It must have been a certain season that produced the acidic bugs.

...and flat paint is probably the most vulnerable but also the least likely to show minor damage.

So the matte itself is no more vulnerable than the gloss finish?

The issue with the flat black paint is you can't rub out a scratch like you can with any gloss paint job. If you do you end up with a noticeable shiny spot in the matt finish. So you either live with the scratch you would normally rub out with scratch remover or the shiny spot.

* Last updated by: cruderudy on 6/24/2016 @ 2:14 PM *

I have the matte finish as well and I use plexus. It does give it a little bit of a shine more than the stock finish but I don't mind. Bugs seem to wipe off easier. But here in Florida and having love bugs they will destroy the Finish if you do not clean them off quickly. If you have a good coat of plexus on your bike they wipe off extremely easy though.

So Auron, I'm curious about the VFR. Can you give a few examples where the VFR fell short in your opinion.

Sure, I know it's not fair to compare it to the 14R because it has 200 less cc's and a shaft drive but they weight the same and cost the same so I can't help it.

It's a boring, vibrating, peaky, lump of a motor that always feel like it's working hard and even after a Gulh flash the fueling isn't that great. Stock fueling was a joke.

I was expecting it to feel lighter in the corners than the 14R because of the ingenious mass centralization job, you really have to see it to believe it. 14R handles better too and feels just a light. Driveline lash post-recall is still pretty bad, traction control is complete shit.

Positives? Excellent fairing and very little engine heat, much less than the 14R, and the brakes are incredible.

First ride after the flash and AK-20's I was expecting more and asked myself why the hell anyone would own one over a 14R.

* Last updated by: Auron on 6/25/2016 @ 8:57 PM *

Went to see a 2016 in green just about started drooling. Have some good interest on the VFR should be gone soon. I'll be back on a real bike asap.

* Last updated by: Auron on 6/25/2016 @ 1:29 PM *

Lol Auron, thanks for the input. My brother is a Honda man and was looking @ the VFR1200 and I told him about your post. Very surprised That Honda has dropped the ball on advancing their product line but can't wait to see the 2017 CBR 1000RR.

Yes, love the 2016 Green 14R. There's nothing like the brand new bike experience.

Found a new 2014 for $9700 + tax!

Not my favorite color, do you think it would be hard to find someone here that will trade my black and red 2014 foremans for plain matte black?

Auron - you should wait for the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT that will be arriving soon in dealers. Go test ride the 1290 R and get a taste of that beast of an engine with 106 lb-ft of torque and 180 horsepower, then imagine it with the comfort of the VFR. Heated grips, seats, cruise control, semi-active suspension, factory luggage, adjustable windscreen, and arm-stretching performance.

Wet weight is 502 lbs stock (room to lose some too), with most owners with light mods seeing 165+ hp and 95+ lb-ft at the rear tire, it's an eye opener. Wheelbase around 58" is similar to the ZX14R.

I'm looking to replace my beloved '12 ZX14R (wish I hadn't sold it). For me it's the KTM 1290 GT or the Ducati Multistrada. Both big twins, Ducati is 1200cc and KTM is 1301cc. I like the torque, sound, and effortless feeling when riding compared to the usual 4-cylinder engines character.

I would also entertain the idea of the Gen3 14R if there were any hint of it on the horizon, but I haven't even heard a whisper?

I've looked into it and looks like the sweetest GT ever made. I'm just not a V-twin kind of guy. Had a a few and always seem to come back to I-4's

Auron - I might be your guy! I've got a '13 white and I had actually looked into buying the red grills. My OEM matte black grills are 100% perfect.

Thsnks! If I end up getting the bike I'll let you know for sure

That SuperDuke GT looks like an awesome bike. They considered everything. I think it might be perfect if you could get helmets inside that luggage.

I have good news...you can! I already skipped to the right part of this video, see the link below:

2017 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT - Helmets fit inside both side cases

While the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT seems to have all the electronics you could ever want, the problems to me are:

1. The price
2. The V-twin. I've never ridden any KTM, but if it's similar to my old Honda RC51, when you first ride it that V-twin was neat-O with its low RPM power shooting you off right from the start ... but over time I realized I actually miss the high RPM, turbo-like rush of an inline 4. When I ride the ZX I find myself saying hoooooo-lllllleeeeee sssssshhhhhhhiiiiiiittttttt! I never did that on the RC.
3. Its front end looks like a spy, as in one of these spies:

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 6/28/2016 @ 10:20 AM *

Yes, to me the front looks completely rediculous

Spy vs Spy!! Lol!

Love Spy vs Spy!