I personally reckon the Gen 3 is a nice machine , but a lot of money for what it actually is ie; comes with mediocre level suspension , but good brakes , with the focus on a basically factory blue printed donk combined with electronic aids package , sold at top dollar . Now to me , the donk is excellent , and very much a desirable base for any future HP mods , but to do what I have done with my Gen 2 running gear etc. , to a Gen 3 , will be another level of expensive in comparison .
I just think , in time , when the bike is available as a good low mileage buy , then it may make more sense for the $ spend + my mod choices . I also desire one at the right instance .
I am once again just sitting back , saving what I can and see what comes along for my next project . I , luckily am not in a real hurry , now both bikes are back in the stable ,I am truly interested to see if Kawasaki are going to deliver another market monster , something factory supercharged , maybe a H2 replacement or addition in big cc , that would be exciting . Great catching up with you Rook , I enjoy our bike talks a lot bro .

Yeah, me too Toad. And I too hope Kaw will update the 14R. Now that I would have to have!!

Been awhile since I last made a post , hope everyone has a good start to new year . Invested in some ti axles , rear and swingarm pivot from an excellent UK machinist www.componentengineering.co.uk. The weight saving , price and machining is excellent , the ti rear is 323 grams vs 526 grams for stocker , and the ti pivot 275 grams with collar , but no end nut , vs 484 grams for stocker with collar and no end nut . Pictured with a green set of Beta Titanium axles below .
Also took advantage of Webikes recent 1/2 price sale of Brembo stock , and got a 320mm T Drive set to try out , lighter than the 330mm Braketechs I run , but heavier than the stock oem petal rotors . Still thinking about going all out on a real light weight set option , so see if i can save up the necessary coin .

One beautiful piece at a time. Looks GREAT mate!

That's some sweet kit. I've been adding some dazzle to my '13 the last couple years, lot of titanium/aluminum bolts. I might look into those axles for this year.

Been thinking about getting some rearsets too, probably gold anodized. There's the Chinese Wing Wongs for about $150, and a couple US made brands that range from around 500-600.

Hi there lads , thanks Rook and VicThing for the compliments and feedback on axles . I think the axles represent good value ( priced similar to now unavailable Zeta items ) , but probably mostly for people wanting to maximize their bikes weight reduction , and even then , down the list near the bottom of to do list . Having said that , there are some of us that love fitting titanium fasteners to their machines , and axles are probably the ultimate .
VicThing , sounds like you got some nice pieces planned , have you got a pic posted of your bike , be great to see your ride .

Mine looks a lot like yours... I'm glad we're not standing in a restroom right now.

I don't think I have any pics since putting all the bolt upgrades on.
Upper pic is from 10/21, middle pic is from 11/21 as I was upgrading the bolts and new tires, lower pic is from when I had some decent places to ride and scraped the pegs (and lowers).

I'm sure I'll post some pics this year hopefully they'll show off some of my bling a little better.

]

Hi VicThing , hahaha , yes bro , she looks like my original color , this '13 SE

First hills ride of the season , got out on the ZED14 to ride with another ZX14R owner I recently got to know from a forum . I dont usually ride Sundays , because of the traffic , but most people cant ride weekdays cos of work commitments , so ride we did . We made it out to some good road sections , so that was worth all the rolling roadblock dodging to get there . Also , we met an old fella , 71 years young and riding 2016 ZX10R , at a rest stop . It is great inspiration , to see someone of an age , who still owns and rides such a fast motorcycle . Some pics of the bikes .

I recently got another bike , something different to the Busa and Zed14 , a 2021 KTM 1290R Superduke . It is new / demo , sat around for covid , so got a deal on it . I got 3 year warranty , which means I had to be careful about modding it , so got the shop lads which I know and are a good bunch , to fit up an Akrapovic ti race pipe and matching ECU map . This was done along with unlocking the tech pack and full smog removal . Meantime , ordered a set of orange BST wheels , and an re sprung Ohlins TTX shock . A fella in the States who successfully races the same bike ,'Eric GOGO Superduked' , has developed a new suspension linkage for it , so fitted that along with the shocker . Found that the UK made PFM rotors were about the lightest conventional disc set made , so added a set as well as lightweight KTM tripleclamps . A couple of carbon guards and the whole bike gone over with ti and aluminum fasteners has finished it off for now . I am still in the process of running it in , and it is a real crazy torquey super moto v twin , with 180 hp at crank now maybe more with the pipe and 100 ftlb + at the wheel . I recently weighed all my bikes on verified scale , both the Busa and Zed14 come in at 230kg full tank , the KTM come in at 190kg fully tanked . What a riot to ride , urban assault vehicle , and next try outs in the hills .

* Last updated by: toad14R on 9/17/2023 @ 7:11 AM *

Complete and total sickness Toad!

Thanks Rook , I decided this was about the best way to address my sort of mid life crisis thing ....

Yeah, we gotta do something to keep the spark of youth! A new bike fills the bill! The wheels look great and that exhaust is amazing alongside that trellis frame. Grips are a minor detail but I favor the alluminum/rubber ones. I'd put on a set of black D3s. A black aluminum side stand too! I wouldn't mind seeing a huge rear sprocket on that bike either as long as you can keep the front down when you need to.

The pipe sounds petty nice for sure , not too loud luckily , but it is a 1301cc double pumper motor , so got to expect some excessive note .I was looking at that kickstand recently , the black color is acceptable imo , but also features cut out slots along the length , and I just checked , it is already an aluminum kickstand lol . With the stock gearing ( that aluminum sprocket ) , the first 3 gears are short ratio , spaced out to maximize acceleration , so I be leaving that as well . These things are known wheelie bikes with stock gearing ,even stock pipe etc . They easily loft the front wheel on aggressive throttle thru first 3 gears , and can clutch up 4th too . I have had a few moderate wheelies already , still running this thing in lol , so really looking forward to letting it truly rip asap . I was pretty careful about what tires I chose to match the BST rims . I ended up choosing Pirelli best tire ,Diablo Super Corsa SC1 . These tires are manufactured in Germany , and are the best available for this bike imo , bloody want to be $800 bucks a set . The stock rims still got the S22 Bridgestones on , which were good for that setup .

* Last updated by: toad14R on 9/21/2023 @ 2:51 AM *

As implied, I figured the stock final drive gearing on that bike would be about as much as one could ride safely with. I'd still love to see an oversized sprocket on that bike just for aesthetics! ...not if it's going to flip you ass over tea kettle though! Diablo Super Corsa SPs are my tire of choice too or better Pirelli Superbike Pros which are the same thing in a slick. I don't think there's any advantage I can use with slicks but I just love how they look. Never had a single problem running slicks on the street but I only ride in hot weather and never in wet conditions.

The Pirelli tires I've weighed are the lightest I've found too. Only drawback is the cost if you go through a lot of tires which I do not. I only ride a thousand miles a year and that's split between two bikes. Tires last me two years.

I find that too , not as much ride time nowadays . We are pretty lucky , tire wise , we got an excellent choice of range . As for slicks on the road , I dont think I could get them up to ideal heat range . An order I have been waiting on , arrived last week , a set of GP4-MS Billet Monobloc Stylema and a P2 Billet rear caliper . Corsa Corta 17 RCS master cyl and expecting the matching clutch this week . The clutch RCS might be the wrong ratio , but we will see I guess . I will be fitting it all up soon .

* Last updated by: toad14R on 9/24/2023 @ 6:18 AM *

As for slicks on the road , I dont think I could get them up to ideal heat range

I'm sure I don't get my slicks up to optimum heat range but for how I ride, they have never shown the slightest sign of failure. Tires designed for the street are obviously the safest option but I've even heard of those having defective composition in rare instances.

Going from good brakes to great brakes, hey? There's one mod I never got to although for me, it would be mostly to drop some weight and add bling. I see you have the Zeta barrel drilled Ti perch pins. I have those on my wrecked ZX-14 and I will need to pull them off one day.

Yes , the KTM already has excellent brakes standard , but I got a thing for trick brake calipers , always have bro , like a sickness I guess , but a safe one lol . Anyway , I will weigh them shortly , but should be a bit lighter than cast / forged Stylema oem . Interestingly , these calipers are 100mm spaced for fitment , but Brembo have another 108mm version , should be available now , that will fit most Japanese sport bikes . They look a little different to these calipers , with added cooling fins .

I got a thing for trick brake calipers , always have bro , like a sickness I guess

You know I can relate!

Well , I changed my mind about fitting those Brembo calipers and masters to the KTM , because I will fit them to my new bike instead . Today I secured myself a new 2023 H2 ,what a bloody ripper !!!! I went down to view it and put down the dough . I ordered a Vandemon titanium exhaust that should come next week , and then once the lads fit it , I will get the bike delivered . Looking forward to running it in , along with the KTM . Here is a showroom pic or 2 , more to come once I receive the beast .

* Last updated by: toad14R on 10/12/2023 @ 7:08 AM *

Damn I'm astonished! Where did that come from?? I never heard a peep and BOOP, there's a new bike in your garage. Excellent choice I might add. OK we want an honest comparo to the Gen2 ZX-14R.

Hi Rook , I was going to tell ya on face ache ,I had decided yesterday morning to go down to the dealership , put down a deposit on a 2024 H2 . My State had sold off their 2023 H2 models already , and so I was up against either a new from interstate or pay a price increase of 6K AU and order the 2024 . So when I rang the dealership , they informed me that the new sold H2 I had viewed and sat on a few weeks earlier was still in store , untouched , the customers finance had failed . So I raced in bro , packed the old Dear and Wez into the car and drove out to dealership . That bike is going to need some peg to arse ratio adjustment , but it is a worthy replacement for my Busa . It will be a long term project build for me , I will keep everything I remove from this bike in cotton wool lol , and of course it will be tucked in safe with the other bikes at night . I will give you a comparison between the two Kwackas , my Zed14 is always going to be my main squeeze , but this beast is going to be wild .

Worthy for sure! I'm looking forward to seeing the build!

The H2 has arrived , all fitted up with the GP4-MS Brembos and Corsa Corta clutch and brake pumps and titanium Vandemon exhaust . Took a few pics on the driveway . Got a tail tidy to fit up now and a screen too . I have ordered some kit for it , a set of BST wheels , and a billet plenum and intercooler kit , supercharger gears , with some other bits and pieces to go with that . Will be looking at running it in , then get a base line dyno run , then woolich tune it and fit up the kit .