I had the same feeling on mine truth be told. I did a lot if suspension tweaking to help it out but ultimately I feel it's tire related. I have most of it sorted but it never really was confidence inspiring. I'm going with some Michelin tires next go around. I'm really not a fan of the Metzlers. I feel you need to get the right tire profile for hoe the bike handles and the Metz isn't it, at least not for me. Bridgestones have been hit or miss on sport bikes for me. The Powers are my go to tire for that. Though I do love the stones on my Victory but that's a different beast all together.

Yep. I've always used Michelins on all my bikes and never once had a set that I felt uncomfortable on. Thinking of ditching the Bridgestones and putting on a set of 2CT'S. My last bike had the Road 3's on it but I sold it before I could really get a good feeling for them. Only thing I found with them was that they took along time to warm up and were a bit "loose" when cold, once up to temp, they were fine. Think I'll go something more sport orienated for this beast.Glad I'm not the only one who feels it handles a bit.......strangely.lol :)
Cheers

I posted here a few days ago that my ZX also oversteers a little. But I just put new tires and the overseer is completely gone. It oversteered with worn out Dunlop Sportmax and it went away with new Dunlop Sportmax. Amazing what new tires can do!

I wish I could say it is worn tyres that is giving me the grief but they are only 2500km old and no where near the tread wear indicators. I'm thinking a different "profile" tyre might help.

Ya...I think so...it does make a difference for sure.They don't have to be 'worn'(out)to create handling issues.Here in the states..they come with Metzlers.I actually felt the Metzlers were a very good tire... they didn't last unfortunately...but the grip was right there.I put Dunlops on...Streetsmart 1's....they were very good as well.I usually go with Pirellis...Angel ST's worked really good also.Finding a set that will last on this bike is a challenge.

When you say profile...I don't think you're going to find a FRONT profile that's different from most other brands....aren't they all about the same?Maybe tread design has something to do with your situation there...IDK.

"normal for a heavy bike"....I don't think so...once she's moving...the redesign of the frame was supposed to make the weight less of an issue...I noticed mine felt different from my 07 in the handling(low speed) department.U-Turns were much easier to do with the new bike.The steering really felt lighter.I got laughed at here for saying "at the dealer's,when I first sat on mine,and moved the steering...I could tell it was different"....it was...and is.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/1/2012 @ 5:41 PM *

Your right. Most profiles are the same although Michelin do offer a couple of different aspect ratios in their Power One, Road 3, Power Pure, 2CT, Pilot Power and Road 2 range of tyres. Another reason I like Michelins. They give you a few more options in sizing as well as compounds. Actually grn14 I was also considering the Pirelli Angel's you mentioned. How did you find them? Quick warm up? Wet handling? Wear?
Cheers

* Last updated by: svscott on 12/1/2012 @ 10:45 PM *

I can't say anything negative about those Pirellis.Great lean grip....warm up fast....very good mileage...if you aren't terribly aggressive all the time.Smooth....very good tire for the big bird.I liked the Dunlops also...the Streetsmart 1's.Probably as much as the Pirellis.Two really good tires for the Ninja.

Grn, what Pirellis have you tried ? Angels or rosso etc .... Thanks, have heard a lot of good things about the Rossos

Rossos....diablos....Stradas...angels...most of their sportbike line.Rossos?It's been a while...I don't remember any negative deals with em...but they're kinda more 'track oriented'...I think.NONE of those tires impressed me with the mileages...but then....it IS a 14.So...gotta accept that and enjoy while they're new!Have ta say...those last Dunlops...they were very grippy and lasted the longest...Streetsmart 1"s...not the 2's....I'd say...for the weight of the new14R....the Dunlops may be the best deal for mileage and overall performance.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/2/2012 @ 6:29 PM *

I tried to avoid this thread for awhile. Grn I mentioned this a few months ago. Mine falls into (over steers) on lefts and under steers going right. It will also not hold a constant line through a turn. It is at the dealership right now, looks like some of my issue maybe coming from over tightened steering head bearings.

Yeesh...sorry to hear this.First...the bolt's gone...then this...maybe they should replace your bike for ya...I hope it's not messed up....things happen unfortunately.Hope YOU are doing okay....

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/5/2012 @ 9:32 PM *

Hey Toledo.
Hope they get it all soughted for you mate. I've managed to have some success with mine by increasing the pre-load on the front. Still not what it should be......but better. After much researching, chatting, picking people's brains, I'm going to try the "new tyres" road first before messing with the geometry of the forks/steering head. It's really come to light, for me, how different tyre construction, profiles, compounds can effect a bikes handling. The B/stones fitted from factory in OZ are a very quick handling tyre which in conjunction with a bike that has been redesigned for "quicker" handling has made it something I'm not used to so I'm going put something back on that I'm familiar with and go from there. Hope to hear that's its all good news for you mate.
Cheers

called the dealer today and of course they can find nothing wrong with mine. That is with nobody disputing that the one in the showroom and the sales guys personal 14r steers SO MUCH easier. Guess we will be calling Kawasaki. The only bike I have ever had that I distrusted more in a turn was a KTM 450xcw in the sand.

"called the dealer today and of course they can find nothing wrong with mine"...what the?????.You're certainly not having any luck with your bike issues...geez....sorry Toledo...wish I could help.We could go over that baby tooth and nail within an hour...find out just what's going on.This is just a bummer...for you....

"the sales guys personal 14r steers SO MUCH easier"...did he ride your bike?.If not...I'd be on him sayin "you need to ride this bike".NOW.Right here...in front of me"(well,you could leave that last tidbit out).Somebody's blowin smoke at your expense sounds like to me.Don't they WANT you to recommend them to other potential customers?Sheesh...If my dealer blew me off like that...I'd NEVER go back...ever.

Did you ever get it onto a front lift stand,and check your bearings at the steering stem?Hell...that'll tell ya right there if something is binding.Have em put it on the lift...and check it...and SHOW you what they are finding.It's under warranty,right?...they need to obey that warranty.Or get ya a new replacement.Something.

You call Kawasaki in Irvine,California.You tell em what's happening...even about that bolt falling out and what happened.I can almost guarantee ya...when THOSE guys in Irvine hear about this stuff...they're gonna do something....guaranteed.I've dealt with em already on a couple of things...they were all over it.Even sent me a sweatshirt apologizing for the situation.You don't need to say anything to the dealer about it....just get your bike back...and call....be cool...don't get in a shoving match over the phone...just tell em.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/8/2012 @ 8:32 PM *

Yes it is under warranty, 4.5 years left of it. I will see when I pick it up if they will put it on a lift stand for me and I will be calling kawasaki for some help.

Do you have someone in particular in Irvine you'd recommend talking to?

Did you fiddle with rear rebound? That can change how bike falls in. Might try more rear rebound to see if it helps reduce falling in.

Well...I can't unfortunately remember his name...but he was the customer service guy...he was very helpful.Just tell em you need to get a problem resolved....you're feeling badly about getting this 'new' model...and having these problems already.The shop can't seem to find anything wrong.You will get some results calling them....last thing they want in this economy is for sales to drop.Or an unhappy customer who'll probably tell 20 others about this deal.

It shouldn't be handling odd with those factory settings...nope.If you're in the 'std' weight class...it should turn like it's on rails.

It's a bit strange that the other guys on here who have the 14R aren't posting about their steering quality.Runnerhiker corrected his with new tires.Mine steered perfect...no changing of anything.I don't know WHAT happened with yours??????It did this from the beginning?And how many miles on her now?Did you remove the front wheel at any time?Tire change?It sounds like one side is being affected by whatever it is....????Something's not missing at the axle is it?Out of line?Brake pads rubbing on one rotor?If you can lift the front...do that steering play check...where you tap the bar and it falls to the other side,that could tell ya a lot right there about the steering head condition.If that's good...it HAS to be something else causing it unrelated to the steering stem,bearings.Only thing I could think of is calipers...pads rubbing.Not releasing all the way on one side.I seriously doubt it's your alignment...

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/9/2012 @ 9:48 PM *

My 14r doesn't steer like my 954rr did - how could it? Way different geometry and 150 extra pounds. However, I'm not really missing it. I just go through the corners a little slower, then point and shoot - Wheeeeeeeee!!!!!