how will you be using the new zx14r

will it be set up with mods for drag racing or used mainly for sport touring .

if i buy one i would use it mainly as a nice sport touring ride.... only mods i will do is put gas in the tank, check engine oil and keep it clean, check tire pressure once a month.

or and oil the chain when needed.

shit i won't even be removing the fender. i find they run the best stock, but i be coming from 66hp so i have a feeling the bike will be fast enough. and not need any mods for me.

ya won't be holding the throttle open to the stop very often for very long. It becomes less about going faster than about managing speed. Just gotta adjust time/distance. Much. It'll boggle your mind. You'll be saying, fuck that's fast, fuck that's fast, holy fuck that's fast. It's like high speed, hard pack cruising on snow skies where ya just kinda stand there and point em straight down without doing much except hunching down a little. Very effortless until it gets bumpy, turny or someone (or something) moves into your pathway. And obviously, a much, MUCH higher rate of shit going past in a blur. Best to dial it in little at a time, getting to a point where it's possible to go as fast as you want, whenever you want. And it's almost easier and safer to get your speed fix because the thrust is so available at all times. You don't much have to turn your right wrist quick to the stop and hold it there. It's very cool and ya gotta be real smart about it. It's like what I would imagine really good, pure, clean heroin (not that I ever tried or would). It can make ya feel really good or it can hurt ya really bad. Enjoy the finer side of what big hp and big torque can do for you!

damn...that get's to the point of things.lol

just hope handles some what any doesn't feel real heavy when moving...hey you guys that own one.. how hard is it to move the bike around backward or forward when not running and your seating on the bike.

NEW YORK KNICKS !!
on there way to the finals.. it all starts today.

It doesn't feel any heavier to me than the previous years.20 some lbs isn't much.I certainly didn't feel any weight gain while riding....just the opposite.They retweaked the steering head...it definitely does feel different.This may be a stupid small 'comparison"...okay,but doing a U-Turn on this new bike was very simple and easy feeling.I could feel the weight of my 07 while U-turning.Usually had to be ready to get my toes out there during the turn.Not with this bike.She comes around very nicely without any drama.

Pushing forward...easy feeling.Pushing backwards,feels the same as my 07.If that helps ya.I still have a small amount of difficulty getting totally flatfooted on the 14...I always did...except when I did a Connie Seat reshape.The new bike is pretty much the same for me...still haven't really 'tried' to get my feet flat yet.My inseam is 33.For whatever that's worth.But moving her really to me felt no different.

I've already lost 10 lbs approximately with the battery replacement.Piping is next.We'll see then.She'll basically end up weighing in at around the earlier version weights.540 something with mods(that's what mine was anyway...with a half tank of fuel).So I pretty much need to shed around 30 lbs somewhere to get er where my other baby was.I honestly don't think that 10 or 20 lbs more is gonna make a real handling difference with this new engine and chassis setup.Stock she felt a lot more responsive in handling and engine output.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/17/2011 @ 3:27 AM *

That weight thing, Grn, is your tire difference. If you never changed tires, you know the OEM's are super light compared to the touring tire. That is what you feel weight wise. Wait till you change tires. It's going to pork up, then you'll see a change.

read somewhere the new bike has wheels that are 3 lbs lighter.... maybe that's the differents his feeling.

Hold a rear caliper in your hand. That is about a 3-lb part. 4-lbs., if you count the brake hose, foot pedal, pivot bolt and return spring. They took off enough rim weight from both wheels to make a rear caliper. That's a start!

I'm in the market for a new 14R but it will be used exclusively for sport-touring. I live in Georgia and am fortunate to have some of the best roads that I can ride nearly year-round. A few hours north and I'm on the Tail of the Dragon or heading up the Blueridge Parkway.

I'm just waiting for the black one. There are green ones at the local dealers here in Atlanta but I prefer the black. Only problem.. it's HOT in the summer.

Thanks much! I've been lurking around here for several months doing as much reading as possible. There are MANY great posters on this site and quite a diverse mix of attitudes. I've been around Kawasaki since the 1978 Z1-R rolled out and have enjoyed them all. I'm not much of a drag racer and I certainly never embarassed anyone in the twisties, but I still enjoy getting out there and riding. I have the fever!

yes sport touring is awesome... nothing like filling up your tank in the morning and not knowing where you will end up...

mods
gas
pj1 chain lube
breakin rottela 15/40
after breakin rottela t6 5/40 best oil for the money used the stuff in my last 2 bikes and the motors sounded as tight as the day i bought them.

doesn't feel real heavy when moving...hey you guys that own one.. how hard is it to move the bike around backward or forward when not running and your seating on the bike.

mark43 ss ceramic bearing are a big help in that area. Not cheap but around the garage worth every penny.

have the fever!

Welcome to the site Fowvay,,,, Snow just starting to fly here and I too have bike fever. Long wait to ride one of those new bikes.

cool thanks... but park my bike in my garage next
to my jimmy gmc.. not ton of room. keeps it warm and dry !

upstate ny avg temp 30 degrees jan 20 then on 21st.. 31 degrees and up.... 42 gets in around 1st week in march not bad for a short rip if the roads are not badly salted .

already close to the end of dec.... won't be that long lets hope for a early spring .. finger crossed !!

This will be my third 14 and I'm sorry to say I've neve been on a drag strip, especially since my fAther in law is a photographer at a strip. I don't plan on winning any medals, but will probably take this one on a few time for the photo op if nothing else.

Hopefully sport touring...... if the financial gods allow it