Hello.I'm new to this forum and would like to ask a question.I've been a honda vtx1300 rider for sometime now and just bought a 2012 N1K.I've enjoyed riding it to the point my cruisers no longer "do it" for me so I'm about to get a 2013 zx14r tomorrow.Is there any known problems I should be aware of before letting go of some of my savings?I did read about the #3 rod thing and the vavle covers leaking on earlier models.It's also GREEN but that's the only one available with abs.Never needed abs before but think it's a good thing to have for the "just in case" thing.I'm 50yrs old and rather not wreck by something as simple as locking up the front tire on a wet road if someone pulls out in front of me,which has happened a number of times in my riding life.Thanks...

No problems really to speak of that I have heard anyway with the 2012 and up models. Solid machines and well built.

Now that I think about it this bike is hard on tires.

* Last updated by: nasty on 11/13/2013 @ 6:01 PM *

Thanks Nasty,I'm going to take it easy for awhile till I get a good feel for the bike.The N1K is the first sport bike I've owned and couldn't believe the power it has.I'm sure the 14r will have me amazed in a short amount of time.I "mostly" followed the break in procedure for the n1k and will do it even more on this one.I've already been warned on another forum of getting speed up there before you realize it.I was stuck on the 10r but the 14r just feels more comfortable and since I won't be at a track with tight turns,14r it is.

If you're a taller guy, the 14 is definitely a good fit. Plus you got the power to beat almost anything off the line from the stoplight. And still comfortable enough for long hauls.

* Last updated by: nasty on 11/13/2013 @ 6:00 PM *

ABS-I wish I had on my 2012. I would get it in a heartbeat! These bikes are very reliable. You can always extend the warranty if your worried about reliability. I always do myself. I did an extra 4 years for a total of 5 years. It just makes me feel better.

I feel bad field grade. You have been lied to. 3 Major problems.
1 Need to break the law and crest 200mph
2 Hooliganism need to out race everything
3 aggression need to smash the throttle
4 23 year old dancers flock to the bike

Here are the faults and associated risks. You have been informed!

Those are problems I can tolerate Wolfman,especially the young ladies wanting a ride .I'm 6' so it fits me very well with the extra room on it.First thing is to get a fender eliminator,or make one and next is get some smaller exhausts but they will have to wait till I recover from this sportbike buying spree.I've got two cruisers to get rid of since I've lost interest in them.Can't believe the fun I've been missing not having a sport bike.The power just puts a smile on my face everytime I get on my 1000,and I thought my 1300's were fast lol.And I'll probably get the extended warranty to be on the safe side.

* Last updated by: fieldgrade on 11/13/2013 @ 6:46 PM *

Field you got it, right there sir! I'm 6'2 and I need the set to feel comfortable. Had an R1 before. It was an ice cream bike (could ride it to get a cone but anything beyond hurt my body)! Post up some pics when she comes home. Here are some small steps to consider
1 join the 14 Nation RC
2 ecu flash
3 pipes
4 get a great traffic cop paralegal (mine was in court yesterday) fighting 147 in 100.
And please
Enjoy!!!!

Thaose are beautiful rides there Wolfman and what I want my bike to look like in that top photo.I would love to take quite a few rides with the one in the picture under your bike lol(appologies if that's your wife or gf and not a random photo).

* Last updated by: fieldgrade on 11/14/2013 @ 5:34 AM *

Wish that was my wife!!! My ole lady is sexy but that copper is just jaw dropping!

My bike is under project x construction. I will post some pics of the new green lightning soon.
Mad love
Wolfman

Would like to see those pictures when you're done.Picked it up today and noticed a little rattle in the dash in 2nd and 3rd,around 3-4k rpms.Also noticed not much back brake...AT ALL.I use my front mostly with a little back but do use the back at times and that caused a slight panick for a second in town.It's a nice bike for sure.

Grats and welcome!

I have an 1800 VTX, and a ZX14r. I ALMOST went with the N1K and didn't. I love the ZX14. But once you get it broke in here is a little guide line-
1-5000 rpm fun
5-7000 rpm REAL FUN
7-redline... BRUTAL.

Twist at your own risk, physically and financially. LOL

Fieldgrade,

The back brakes may need to wear in a little before they feel better, you can always adjust them too, about the rattle, check the nuts on the right side bike looking down the front of the forks, some people have reported them coming loose, I will try and find the picture if I can, and post

it

Yea,the n1k has a lot of pull in gears 1-3 at 7-10k rpms so I know this bike has to be brutal.Just got off mine and the rattle is coming from that expensive plastic housing around the gauges.I'll pull the windshield off one day and put some rubber spacers in there to dampen the vibration.Need to get in there and read the manual to set clock and such.I would be nice to have just a tad more back brake so maybe it'll get better with time.I do like the bike.And thanks Carabuser for the pictures and what else to look for.

* Last updated by: fieldgrade on 11/14/2013 @ 6:49 PM *

I've locked up my rear more than once because of the lack of feel you get from the rear while panic braking. It's normal due to not realizing how fast I'm really going.

Rear Gaffer roater solved that issue once and for all!!!!

Hey Wolfman,what kind of exhaust do you have?I was just looking back in time and you had a picture of that bike but couldn't see the name on the exhaust and it wasn't mentioned.And,I still can't see the name but I like the looks of those black cans on that green bike.If they sound good,those are what I'll get unless they're connected to the spot price of gold.ETA:Or the silver series TB's.Noticed you said they should sound good in another post and Carabuser also put up a picture of the TBs.

* Last updated by: fieldgrade on 11/14/2013 @ 6:46 PM *

Brother I ran Yoshimura R77's fed by Akrapovic headers. With a PC5 dynoed and tuned with a Roman's ECU flash. I made 206 hp. I had just sold my exhaust, headers, pc5. I plan to send my ecu off for a C Blast flash. I ordered a few other cool things I plan to reveal soon. I loved the sound of the Yosh, deep throaty, but they had a cat converter in them and I found they were narrow and did not flow as well as the TB(the mids had a dent that directed the pipe away from kick stand) My boy Beast ran a two brothers and they were quite a bit Louder. I decided to take a different direction and will announce where I am going soon!

All this said the R77's carbon looked really impressive. What a cool looking exhaust!

Just some stats on the old set up!