Hub, I've come to the conclusion it may be time for me to cull the herd a bit, three oldest bikes may go up on the auction block, 2004 VTX-1300C, 2006 ZX-14 and 2009 ZX-6R, thought I would never sell any of these machines as they are all good solid bikes but it may be time....

Boy if I lived closer I'd be buying up you throwaways. Season is here so I see those leaving as soon as you advertise them.

So what's the secret for the long sitters, gas treatment stabilizer? Rotate the battery chargers every few weeks?

Hubster, no long sitters, all bikes are in the rotation and get ridden every 10-14 days on average all year round, remember, I am riding about 10,000 miles a year on backroads, maybe 265 good riding days a year between all these machines, about 1000 miles per bike per year. The only exception is the VTX1300C which I only rode about 400 miles in the past two years but I run it up to operating temp every two weeks like clock work and take it to the gas station about every two months for fresh fuel. I don't use a trickle charger or fuel stabilizer and have never had any issues, they stay charged up if I ride or run them up every two weeks or so, been doing this for over twenty years, no problems. None of these bikes have a lot of miles and will make good reliable machines for someone when I decide to sell.

Off topic, ordered new boots, gloves and helmet in crazy neon red to match the new Aprilia's Lava Red livery, helmet should be here by Friday, will Rook approve of the color I went with.....

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/7/2024 @ 8:57 PM *

Well, that explains that easy enough. Just a question, were you under any sedatives or tipsy the day you thought of a 1300 twin to buy?

Found a gear drive rear end, but when I got it running, there was no way I'd ride this. Everything was typical Honda, short of the way high gear 1st was, the lounge chair feel of it, and the cup holder option of it. Made triple my money flipping it, and burned it all up having a sushi binge once the old lady passed on.

Hub, I have to plead the 5th on the VTX, must have thought it was a good idea at the time and I have to admit I enjoyed it the first couple years but when I saw the 2006 ZX-14 on the front cover of Cycle magazine, it changed everything. I had to have one and been a sport bike rider ever since, the VTX-1300C long ago relegated to occasional Starbucks runs.....

New matching Scorpion helmet arrived today, will Rook approve?

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/9/2024 @ 8:59 PM *

A special helmet dedicated to your new bike!!! Love it, it works!!! Man, you even found a boot to go with it!

Thanks Rook, I thought you might like it...and don't forget the matching Alpine Stars glove. The part that sucks is breaking everything in, new helmet, gloves and boots completely changes the feel of the bike and controls, did a short ride today and it all felt a bit clumsy, especially the brakes and shifter but will get better with time.

I agree, I liked wearing my gear but the boots especially blocked the feel of the shift pedal. A helmet blocks your vision to some degree to but we all get used to that for the protection the helmet offers.

No worries, another ride yesterday and everything is starting to break in and feel normal.....

New gear kinda matches the Ducati 959 red paint also...

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/15/2024 @ 8:17 PM *

Rook how does this work, I just got the green/white/black Berik gloves today, had the green helmet for awhile now or do I need boots with some fluro green, white and black? I really like mixing the fluro red/orange and fluro green elements.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/17/2024 @ 8:12 PM *

The lime green and yellow accents work great with the colors of the bike. It looks like you have some red details on the boots that match. I love white boots! I think I'd go with those in combination with just about anything but in this case, I think black boots would be just a little better if your leathers are black. Now if you have leathers that are black with prominent white elements like my gear, I think I'd favor the white boots. Black or white boots doesn't really matter, you can't miss with what you have here along with your black leathers.

OK thanks, I agree, I like the contrast. I am looking for a pair of Forma Ice Pro boots in Fluro yellow/green/white black that I think will work even better with this combination. BTW you really need to get a new cell phone, I tried calling you this morning and talked to your Mom, not sure if she relayed the message to you though...

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/18/2024 @ 9:25 PM *

Rook, now the Repsol get's interesting but I think this works in the fluro green and red...

In fluro red only...

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/19/2024 @ 11:09 AM *

Well, I can't seem to pull the trigger on any bike so far. Too many horror stories with the Italian/Australian brands. Priority one is it being as bulletproof as the 14. Love to get that V4 ape, or the 1390 ktm, but once I hear the out in the field reports, it just turns me off. I'll have to wait it out till mother tea rolls out the new models to see if the 14 bumps up the to a SC, I'll pull the trigger no problem.

Besides, if there are any leftovers, I'm seeing a 4k drop off sticker of the 1290's that are sitting on the floor.

Got some members on an uproar I mention the duc's book spec and how to read the abstract of a compression reading. The example of some independent shop rebuilt a duc engine, shows the compression at 150psi. Well, if I read the duc's compression specs, it shows something like (153 - 188psi). The main guru says 150 is fine. I explain that there is POOR in capital letters next to the 150psi in the shop manual.

The seller is saying ready to pop it in a frame, and I tell the guy at 150 the abstract says it needs a rebuild and technically out of spec. Thus the main guru saying it's healthy enough.

The KTM site I made mention of low rpm break in, another guru basically says a modern engine does not need pampering. I mention the 4 bikes that went thru my hands so far and tested hard and soft break in does make a difference. The best part about all this is, 'It ain't my bike' so who gives a shit.

Signed,
NOLTT

Hub:

Well, I can't seem to pull the trigger on any bike so far. Too many horror stories with the Italian/Australian brands. Priority one is it being as bulletproof as the 14. Love to get that V4 ape, or the 1390 ktm, but once I hear the out in the field reports, it just turns me off.

Right there with ya, Hub. In fact, even with my new MT-10, the forum posts re engine failures caused me to purchase the extended warranty, which I never do. Would love to have a KTM Super Duke R, or GT, or one of the Beemers, maybe a naked M1000R, but I just can't do it. Not to mention, they seem to be waaaay more expensive, and charge for options ... so I'd have to pay more for less. Sat on a KTM SD GT, and it seemed not well-built. Some things kinda slapped together afterthoughts.

Crossing my fingers on this thing ...

Yea ex, researched the triples also. Clutch baskets blown out, driveability glitches. The R1's seem to hold up, but not looking for a high rpm engine to move the torque. Since time flies I can wait for more field reports and mamma tea bag.

Let the ST1100 sit for awhile and have the 14 under me again. Strapped at roll of clear tape over the clutch master and use that as my luggage bag. Tape down the lunch over the tank I didn't finish. Works for me before the ST came along.

Going to a dealer tomorrow to just look around for entertainment, then head out for lunch after for my fish fix. The HD's are on the buy list, but they too have their problems. Guy moved from across the street, comes to visit regularly because his wife has family still here. He was given a HD that is in beautiful shape but that twinkie engine has a short fuse due to a tensioner system design.

He still has it but he says it sits for now. Maybe when he comes for a visit next time I'll see if he wants to sell it to me. But then again, parts are turning obsolete for his bike. Probably well under 6 grand or I'm out. He bought an update kit I told him to buy so if I do get it, I'll install the kit and take my chances. Saddle bags are snap to find.

BTW you really need to get a new cell phone, I tried calling you this morning and talked to your Mom, not sure if she relayed the message to you though...

My daylight hours are a lot less now. I now work from 8 pm to 6 am and I'm asleep from 7 am to 3 pm. Friday through Sunday, I keep the same sleep schedule but I don't work unless I have overtime. This schedule is terrible for riding but that's the way it is for now. No, Mom didn't tell me you called but that's probably because I was sleeping. I'll give you my cell number but I can't answer it at work.

Those boots and helmet work perfect with the Repsol. The gloves with green are fine but the red and black work better. I bet the your black leathers would be perfect with this other gear on the Repsol.

I just tried calling you from my cell and I left a message. I suppose you're out riding now. I'll be off of work from Friday morning until Monday. I'd like to go to a local Kawasaki dealership and ask about a price on a 40th anniversary edition ZX-14R. I can't find a dealership in town that sells Kawasaki motorcycles! I just called four places! I'd have to head down to Milwaukee.

I still want my 2008 back. Maybe I'll find a used one and fix it up just like my wrecked one. It's high time I owned a 14R though.

Southeast Sales in Milwaukee has one! 40th Anniversary Edition, $17,048 Driveout. I will need to pay for license and title in Michigan where I reside.

What do you think? I know the 14R is kind of gaudy in the 40th anniversary colors but I'm drawn to that one. It sure is a unique looking bike, I don't see doing a lot to jazz up that paint scheme.

$17,000 and I can have a new 14R. Call the guy before I leave Michigan and it would be prepped by the time I got to Milwaukee. What do you think?

I'd be the only guy on the forum with a 40th anniversary edition. LOL with the looks of that 14R, it might be pretty rare for a long time!

Rook, piece the parts you need on Ron Ayres.com. Has the best net prices a dealer can't or won't match. This would be well under 17k. Say you have the prices added up. Now lookup an '08 14 on KBB.com, and see what the trade in value number is? Say it's under the trade in value or say it's even money.

You know the engine can achieve a high mileage like what's his name that has over 100k mileage on his. You're back on the road and at least could break even with the new parts you thru at it to make it back to a runner. For sure you don't need the plastic which we know is added weight.

Mother tea comes out with another wizzbang engine family that turns the 14 into an antique. The rebuild has value; you sell that; have accumulated a set aside, a.k.a., 'cash waiting' for the 4th gen.

Say 2025 comes out and it's the same old 1441cc 3rd gen engine. You missed nothing so far. That's what I did for the ST1100 I got back up running. Took $1,900 in part to get it back on the road, and it's only worth about $1,500 if I would sell it. Remember, KBB is just a ballpark price, not the going price, being it missing the plastic, plus the retail number for having the lights on at a shop, flooring-[interest, etc.]

I look at it as rental money and you would almost break even if sold for that trade in price. You wouldn't be out any labor money.
Say the tank has a slight ding at the top. You wouldn't loose gas volume. I bought a dinged tank and punched it out some with the fuel pump assembly removed to bang from the inside. That's way less than shelling out for a new tank if found on ebay, FB market, etc.

Send the 17k to a 4.?% 4 month CD, or a 7 month CD. I parked my 'cash waiting' there as I wait for the next wizzbang.

Thanks Hub. Even when I get the Gen2 ZX-14R, I still want to own a Gen1 just like the one I had. It's a sentimental thing I guess. If Kaw makes a Gen3 ZX-14 (maybe supercharged) or a ZX-15, I probably would have to get that too but I'd still keep the whole line. I don't know if I'd even ride them all but I'd keep them.. I don't think I have more than 20 more years to ride. If the ZX-14 remains on the market and continues to update, I'm pretty sure I could buy the latest iteration every ten years without missing a gen. I'd keep all of them. I'm pretty sure I can say I have no more than 30 years left if I'm extremely lucky. That's only three bikes. No reason to quibble over a few thousand bucks each decade. Now if Kawasaki does what Suzuki did with the Gen3 Hayabusa, I'm pretty sure I'd skip that gen and not shed a single tear. LOL if they go backwards with the ZX-14, I really have no use for it.

We're all hoping for a Gen3 ZX-14. The other side of the coin is, "you better grab a Gen2 while they're still available." The Gen2 isn't even being sold anymore in most of the rest of the world because it doesn't pass Euro specs. I doubt a factory blower could make the ZX-14 pass ever tightening Euro standards and larger dis[lacement most definitely won't. That's the reason they have the H-2, smaller engine, more power and more eco friendly at the same time. I'm sticking with bigger engine and potentially even more power with aftermarket boost. I'll take factory boost if I can get it but Kaw would have to do that just for the US market. I don't think they will. If they do, I'll buy it but I'd be keeping all my old 14s no matter what. Why would Kaw make a supercharged ZX-14, to render the H-2 irrelevant? I think not, Kaw has chosen its course with the H-2. It's not a hyperbike like the busa or the ZX-14 but it's the path they've chosen for ultimate horsepower and that's because there's a prayer it will be marketable for some time under stricter rules regarding ecology. I'm sticking with the big bad hyperbikes and maybe an H-2 down the line. Maybe I'll get some smaller bikes in the meantime like Kruz. I know I can't ride them where I live like he does where he lives but I can own them and I can go to tracks a few times a year. That's good enough for me.

Bottom line, I gotta have all the ZX-14s and I'm not letting go of any of them. There's only two Gens right now and that might very well be the end of them. The 14 has been a huge part of my life and I don't have any other commitments. That's is a blessing to me. I'm taking it. It's two friggin bikes and I have the money. Still have the Hayabusa too, never missed the money on that one either and it will be there all my life.

...unless I hit a deer again and I'm not doing that!

Hey Rook, I keep missing you, sounds like you have a narrow window of opportunity with your new work schedule. I called yesterday and got your Mom again and told her to tell you I'd called. I'll try again around 4:00 PM today.

Yeah, I saw a note that you had called. I've tried calling you back a couple times. My sleeping schedule limits the amount of time that overlaps with normal peoples' lives.

Hub, you're up next in the batter's box, time for a new bike. Rook just went in balls deep on the 40th Anniversary 14R, even the Strapolator annied up for an MT-10 and I have more exotic metal in my garage now than a MotoGp grid..... well I'm exaggerating just a little.

We all want to know what the Hubinator has got his sights on, I don't see you on a Harley, not your style, you like speed and torque and lots of it...

The RSV4 has plenty of both and handling and brakes to match but I don't see you back on an Ape after your last experience with one went sour.

The Ducati V4S is another exotic with a monster motor but very pricey and tall geared, you need some place big to really stretch it's legs.

I could see you on a KTM 1390, monster torque, good handling and suspension and a lot of street cred.

I'm kind of played out, went backwards with the RS660 and enjoying revving the tits off of it to keep the liter bikes at bay...and it's kind on tires which is becoming more of an issue with the bigger bikes. Toasted my ZX-14 rear RS11 down to the chords in under 750 miles of backroads and the front was not much better, getting expensive to keep rubber on the big bikes.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 6/7/2024 @ 8:44 PM *