Well checking out some ZX14 forums, traded my Road Star Warrior for a ZX... now before you all say careful to a "cruiser" guy, I am and I have a rebuild monster of a YZF R1 (1053cc HC JE pistons, hot cams lightened crank ported polished decked heads, race carbs to name a few mods done to the engine) that has better power to weight ratio than a ZX, so I know my fast bikes... however, I look forward to getting to know the ZX14 more, have had it on a few good rides and I look forward to owning it!

Comes with stretched swingarm, nitrous and launch control and Boz exhaust already so I have a good start to the mods, right not touching nitrous until I have changed the near-worn out rear tire.

* Last updated by: Jkden on 2/22/2016 @ 12:05 AM *

Good looking bike you have there.

I'm fascinated with engine mods too but from what i have heard, the ones that are sometimes done on the 14 do not make a great deal of improvement for how much they cost. If you find any info, please share.

I am really liking it, what a hoot on the daily drive. I am not even touching nitrous yet. The Boz exhaust sounds wicked. The speedo is off obviously due the previous owner putting on a -1 + 4 vortex sprocket set on, and it really needs a new rear tire. Also need a speedo healer. Thinking of a 200/55 to replace the current worn-out 200/50 Michelin, should fit gives a better lean-in and the taller tire is more than offset by the lower gearing ratio already on it.

Michelin Power Sport 200/55 zr17? Anyone have experience with that tire? On sale and should be nice and sticky enough...

My R1 is still in pieces but slowly coming together from the winter re-build... I look forward to doing some back to back rides on each. The R1 drops into a turn very easily, but the ZX is not too far behind. I am VERY careful on the crap roads that need a good cleaning from winter, plus a worn out tire. Not to mention riding to work with temps around the freezing mark each morning. I am taking it very easy so far, until I can replace the tire. All I have done so far is tighten up the rear chain as there was too much freeplay... BTW, does anyone have a good freeplay/tension measure for the chain with a 9" extension.

Also have to make my own rear extended bike stand, as the one for my R1 is too short. Darn. Princess Auto has what I need for that.

* Last updated by: Jkden on 2/25/2016 @ 1:17 PM *

Member zx14rider345 runs a Metzeler M7RR 200/55 rear tire: http://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=7801FEA6-B8FF-F803-D90D8E1494B66118

Seems to be no problem. Now I myself am wondering if it will fit under my Puig rear hugger. Still researching that.

I've always used a 190/55. No problems. I plan to go to a 200/55 next. I don't think I can exploit the extra height and contact patch for cornering but the 200/55 is all my next tire comes in. Should be interesting to see if it feels a lot dif than an 190/55.

Are you certain a 200 will seal properly to a 190 rim? I think it will but I planned to ask before trying it. Guess this is as good a time as any.

I can't find specs indicating required rim width range, like is available for car tires.

I always have assumed the stock rim was 190 mm wide, bead to bead since 190 is the OEM width of tire.

What I recall hearing way back in the past is that a 200 will seal in a 190 rim. Seem like it might squeeze the tire a little taller and more elliptical in profile than it would be on a 200 rim. i sort of doubt 10mm would make a lot of dif. The beads seating is the main thing to be concerned about...also, will it clear the swing arm? Might be an issue if you have the wheel pulled all the way forward like some do with extra teeth in rear sprocket.

Rook - 190 is the width of the tire itself in millimeters. And the 55 is the aspect ratio. So the height of a 50 series tire should be ~50% of its width. manufacturers specs vary slightly, but that's the gist.

This is why a 55 series tire is taller than a 50 series tire, regardless of width (180, 190, 200, etc)

I think the ZX14 OEM rear rim width is 6" = 152.4 mm, so narrower than the OEM 190 mm wide rear tire.

Anyway, 'pretty sure' a 200 will seat just fine on our OEM rims, since we're only talking about 5 mm extra per side ... but for full confidence would be nice to know for sure the actual OEM rim width, and the tire manufacturer's acceptable rim width range. Usually they'll say something like: Rim width 5.5" - 6.5"

The stock worn out tire I am replacing on my "new" ZX14 is a 200/50 Bridgestone Exedra Max... fits there with no problems and room to spare on the sides. I do not know if a Michelin Power 200/55 is the same width as an Exedra Max 200/50, they both "should" be 20 cm but I know that this is only an idea not an actual width depending on the manufacturer. I know a Dunlop E3 250/40/zr18 is wider than most 260/40 tires... That said it will be mm difference, and as for bead-set, well, as said it does fit a 200/50 already nicely no issues.

I am likely picking the Michelin Power 200/55, because I can get one for like 70% off, but it seems it will be a nice sticky tire. I have no experience on Michelins but they are a DOT track tire so I guess I cannot go wrong with that. Already have a Michelin up front, and I like to keep the same brand tires. My R1 runs "new" old 5 spoke Marchesini rims (winter project)with Pirelli Rosso Corsa up front and Pirelli Rosso II 190/55 in back, nice dual compound tires. Plenty for average pace track days and lots of stick for the street. Pirellis work but only because I got a very good deal on them, otherwise a pricey tire.

besides, I personally think a 55 aspect tire will look much better on the ZX14, will fill it out nicely. Also reduces trail and will allow better drop in. The stock on my R1 was a 190/50, but almost every guy runs a 55, definitely improves the handling by reducing trail. The handling on my R1 is now like dropping into a turn at the mere thought of it. I do run an Ohlins steering damper to keep it from getting too squirrely on the steering. I suspect a 200/55 should improve handling, improve the look a bit, and at least keep the same contact patch as a 190/50 stock on a ZX... Any other experience on running a 200/55 are certainly appreciated.

BTW... anyone on the chain freeplay on a 9 inch extended chain? Running slightly more freeplay as I figure a longer chain should have a slight bit more, about 1.5 inches.

Welcome Jkden. Love that R1. You will necer get the ZX to handle anywhere near the R1 as long as the extended swingarm is on it. But it's good for it's intended purpose. Keep us posted on the progress of both bikes.

Mad

Thanks Dude, still careful on the ZX14 due to the worn out tire, but pretty serious about putting on the 200/55 Michelin pilot power. I want to be able to carve it like on the R1.

My ZX14 has launch control module as well, holds it at 7000 rpm until you drop the clutch. I guess I am well set up for drag racing, already and the previous owner sunk a lot of cash into it, now all I need is a strip and I suppose a spare rear rim with a supply of Shinko drag tires!

Future mods will include more HID up front instead of just the 2 low beam ones and also I think I will put in some white LED markers as the yellow tinge to them compared to the white HID makes them look a bit sickly... and I will be changing the Nitrous button to an arm/go button, as I really do not like not having a horn... honk honk! As said the gearing is 44T in back and I believe -1 up front so she really launches well already, and I have a spare 40T for the back if I really want to take it to 200 mph.

I noticed no Powercommander, so that will be an upgrade eventually to go with the open exhaust, no idea if there is a more open air filter up front, just having fun riding it, and learning "Kawasakese" and learning more about a ZX14, right now all I know is "mommayamaheese" of all types. Do not know if the secondary flies were removed, the power is absolutely instant there is no "wait for it..." power delay, but will check once I research where to look for it... still learning where the battery is!

My R1 is still in pieces, putting on a new high flow radiator, Zero Gravity battery, upgraded brakes from an '02 R1, a newer master cylinder from an '08 R1, "new" used Akra exhaust full titanium 4-1 system on it, and just switching over from the stock rims to the lighter Marchesini rims. My R1 is already probably like 370 lbs from past lightening projects, I will save another 16.5 lbs with the new exhaust, new battery and "new" rims. I hope to be at 370 lbs, and fully fuelled at 400 lbs. The nice thing about the older carb R1s is the gobs of mid-range TQ, and already light weight... R1s got fat as the years progressed.
Besides weight, my goal is to have a nice track/street bike for cheap, another reason to have an older R1 is the abundance of cheap used upgrade parts!

My R1 with friend's 2006 stock ZX14, rode his and decided to trade my Warrior for one 'cause I liked the ride...

* Last updated by: Jkden on 2/26/2016 @ 2:07 PM *

The bike is in great shape, welcome to the forum!

Double Hoo Hoo! did a bit of digging and figured out that the ECU was reflashed by Schnitz Racing, so that explains the huge TQ off idle, much more than I remember from my friends' Stock '06 I rode last year. Obviously reflashed and the secondary flies are removed or at least remapped. Also explains where the wet shot Nitrous system came from as Schnitz has this system listed for the ZX14. I am assuming the flash takes into consideration there is Nitrous, as I have not seen a powercommander installed either under the seat or stored on the right side anywhere although I am going to take the right fairings off to look.

As least it is exciting, every time I do some searching on this bike, the more mods I find! The past owner at least appears to have had some sense with all the mods done to it; a streetable bike ready for sportsman class on the dragstrip with the -1/+3 gearing ECU flash Nitrous and launch control. Figure mid-low 9's at least, perhaps even high 8s(?) with all conditions optimal and an expert drag guy (which I am not).

* Last updated by: Jkden on 2/28/2016 @ 6:19 PM *

More surprises as I slowly learn "Kawasakese"... I did not know you could set up shift light and clutch release light on the ZX14, discovered that menu on my screen today while trying to figure out how to change the time... more pleasant surprises! Set the engage light to go on at 5500 and the shift light at 10,300. I am having way too much fun spinning the tire in 2nd gear all the way through 100 mph...

My R1 is fun as I can basically twist it and wheelie at will, but the ZX leaves black streaks everywhere I go, too much fun today!