Decided to jon since i'm pulling the trigger on a new zx14r.

A Little about myself. been riding since i was 5 in the dirt and for 6 years on the street.
bikes owned:
07 Honda 919
98 Suzuki gs 500
94 Kawi ninja 500
02 Honda Goldwing
03 Yamaha FJR1300
08 Triumph Speed Triple current street bike
03 Honda CRF450R AKA insanity incarnate with wheels current dirt bike
02 Yamaha YZ250f wife's dirt bike
79 Honda CB400 Hawk current running project
08 Honda TRX450R technically a quad but but still not a cage

Figured I'd get the bike leniage out of the way.

I'm going to miss the Speed Triple a lot but want something with some wind protection can't get much loess than a speedy. I like to Hoon around the back roads so the big ZX might not do that as well as the speed and the speed averages 55+ when used as transport which is quite often when there isn't the white curse of living were there is 4 season. I'm assuming the ZX is thirstier.But the pillion seat oon the triple is none existent especially when your 6' and 220 or more after the dirt bike lays me up for a couple months. And the misses is a mother.

I like to tour and just plain ride as much as hoon though and I think the ZX beats the current stead by miles for that. And the wife likes to ride pillion when there is room. She's learning to ride herself so hopefully she will have her own street machine soon. Some 17 inch hoops, sticky rubber, and number plates for the CRF should cure my thirst for hoon better than the speedy can any how.

I'm from the St.louis area not one of those people with a false since of pride because of were I come from so that's all I'll say about were I came from it snow's here and gets hotter and more humid than most of the country so it sucks any how.

I like my cages too but being I can't justify the amount of coin it takes to put the smile on your face a bike does in a car I've stuck to economical and enjoyable. Sportwagen TDI with a stir stick If you want to know and an 88 f150 with a stir stick for the work horse if any one cares.I don't like slush boxes.

I'm not a fan boy of any particular brand if the list of bikes didn't give it away. that list isn't including the bikes I've bought to flip or the rest of the quads I've owned or miss. If you care to know or swap quad stories that's cool just didn't see it as relevant here.

Looking forward to something that can tour again and having the wife on the back again. And maybe wiping the floor with a friend or two's bike down the highway, the twisties are a given only one that can stay on me or pass me for long in the small group of friends is bike less because he is 22 and bullet proof but the bike wasn't twice.

I've had the itch for one of these bike since I test road one at the ride event in 2012 almost traded the FJR in on one that day not far off in comfort but god the smooth mountain of power. Can't wait to pick up the new bike.

I do have one question about the bikes and i'm pretty much made up my mind. But is the ABs worth it never had a problem with out it but planning on getting it anyway for the fact I will travel a lot on this, I put on average 4-5k a month on the fjr and for the 35 days i had the wing I did 8k miles. And I'm not afraid of the rain, except on the triumph but that things brakes are something to experience and traction is of short supply in the dry at the rear. Is there any major reason not to get the ABS version? I'm putting my deposit down tomorrow evening so I can still change models but as a tour bike I like the Idea of ABS long days inn the saddle definatley were at your finite control of a bike and god knows what the unknown road ahead has in it when in uncharted territory.

Charlie
Aptly named since every movie character ever named Charlie was some sort of crazy.

, Poorboy!

is the ABs worth it never had a problem with out it but planning on getting it anyway for the fact I will travel a lot on this

Can't speak from experience but I would get it if it is just a few hundred extra. Probably good for sport riding too.

I like to Hoon around the back roads ...I like to tour and just plain ride as much as hoon though

What is "hoon?" Must be a St Louis word.

"Hoon" I guess is a term more common in the naked bike communities. It refers to riding in a manner that pace and speed are not the goal but loss of contact of the tires to the ground or loss of traction at the rear are more desirable while still traveling at speed.naked bikes lend themselves well to sliding the rear and power wheelie driving out of the corners because they are much more forgiving than most sport bikes. If you have ever had the front wheel of the ground with tail loose driving out of the corner on your favorite road you have an idea Hooning is
about.

* Last updated by: Poorboy on 2/17/2014 @ 8:54 AM *

Oh you were being a Hooligan! Welcome to the site your gonna love it and the folks here!

Pics of what the speed triple the zx or all of them. The zx is ordered so that won't happen for a bit.

I opted out of the ABS when I bought mine last year, but only because I couldn't afford the extra $1000 for it and like you I've gotten along for years without. I thought the same about traction control and now I'm in love it with it mostly for the fact of touring and the added confidence when riding in the rain. Really there is no good reason as to why not get the ABS model, you can turn it off whenever you don't want it to be active.

So I have to know, I have a secret crush on the triumph speed triple, how do you like it? Pros and cons on the bitch please.

* Last updated by: Cornelius on 2/17/2014 @ 5:37 PM *

Oh shit! I forgot

Cornelius. The Speedy is flat out an awesome bike I'm sad to get rid of it really sad but I want something 2 up friendly and it is far from it. had my wife's younger sister on the back she weighs 130 and the bike drastically changed it's behavior. Preload didn't help much either it's just a short light bike.

passenger provision would be the biggest problem. If you come from all faired bikes the wind blast get to you quick bt I actually like that about it. gives you a true since of freedom.

on paper all but the highest end nakeds are a far cry from Super sport bikes in performance but I never once got lost by a sport bike in the twisties in fact most of the time they struggle to keep up and i'm not giving it 100% (I never do on the street)It is an easy bike to ride. and the character all the Magazines talk about is definatley there.

In a straight line a 1000cc sport bike will walk away once you get to the triple digits. but under a 100 provided you have the balls to hang on it will actually pull on all the Jap makes only thing I had stock leave me below a 100 was an s1000rr and it was at least piped but so is my speedy and tuned. The s1000rr will also hang with the big boys so i'm not the least surprised. Remeber I'm not a small guy ether My 22 year old bullet proof buddy is 150 in gear and his 08 gsxr 600 could barely pull on me well into the 100s below forget about speedy all day.

I mentioned before it's amusing attributes on the back roads and that is what a speed triple is ment for. Power wheelies out of every corner yup. loose the rear end in a corner not a problem finger the back of the ground the secound finger is only there for the finesse.

Fuel consumtion is damn good too I've squeezed over 60 mpg out of it before not really trying might have had to do with being on a ride with a cruiser. I average 50s out of it and get 48 to and from work which is 9 miles of city only.

You havn't experinced a raw motorcycling till you've tried a speedy. Every thing is taught and precise. It is happy to commute but run the fun dial back and it never dissapoints you.

and the looks (prier to 2011/21) are the cats meow in my opinion.

I want a 1290 super duke something fierce but hnestly I think I would rather have a built speed triple. Why you ask the speedy is cable throttle no abs and no traction control and on a bike like a speed or duke I dont want electrical nannies I mean to utterly misbehave. Don't get me wrong the speed is a handful at times 08+ have some massively powerful brembos front in rear. My friends all of whcih have varying super sports are terrifies of it's brakes they not to touchy by any means just much much more aggresive than the jap sport bikes have they are very linear in power just have a lot more than the average rider is used to. My endo antics controlled with 2 fingers happens through shorty levers and one finger is more than enough to lift the rear. and the reartiated. I do fine but more than one friend tought they were to touchy but when your used to half inch of pedal travel before anything happens then hop on something that just needs a feather touch to make noticeable decel that's what happens.Most people lock the rear on it a couple times and then right of the rear brake all together. a shame to because it makes for a lot of fun being so light on imput means it never upsets the chassis by loading one side with weight. hell all you need to know about the speeds brakes is that in 08 when it got the brembo treatment, it became the worlds best stopping production bike by a large margin even though some ducatis technically had more power in the brakes and abs. I belive today it's still number 5 or mabye around number 10.

I hate to stop on a gripe but it's not realy a gripe. The speedy is not so good in inclement weather. A lot of what makes it so good makes it rubbish in the rain and cold. It really deserves sticky sport tires so the rain is not it's freind if you go that route again the brakes are powerful and no abs. torque is right of idle and although perfectly linear it's a lot of torque for such a small bike min pushed a peak of 80 during tuning and made above 60 from 2k on I know the zx14 is got gobs of torque but my bike is 446 full of fuel. Those high mounts are quite heavy pretty but heavy I have a stubby of the header which dropped alot of weight and made it handle like a dream if not a bit frantic at times. Back on subject instant torgue and wet, wet roads, and short wheel base makes for a twitchy and nervous ride.

Oh I won't close on a bad. becasue the song a triple sings full burn through a reverse megaphone with minimal baffling as in glass pack style is just amazing screw a twin the triple is the best song of the motorcycle world and I've heard a Panigale with akros good sound but triples sound like some sort of monster think DTM m3 just louder and throatier. the stock sound is even exquisite again some were in the ball park of a staight 6 beemer with a healthy heart beat.

If i don't end up with a duke i will someday own another speed triple actually that's kinda of the plan build a super moto then when I'm comfortable and 08-11 speeds are cheap i'll look for a raggity one build the motor to the tune of 165+ (high comp big boge gets weel beyound that) at the rear and call the swedes for some suspenders and the Italians for some mono block brakes then put the whole thing on a diet,d because electric intervention has no place on a Hoon bike deaths door be damned.

Although there is a chance the supermoto will put that fire out because a 450 mx dirt bike is the most bonkers thing on 2 wheels bar none. i would know my 03 crf churns out 56 horses jetted quite fat so it dosn't melt down in the trails with slow people in tow. And being it weighs 224 ready to ride and is geared to smack the rev limiter like a left hook from Tyson at 97 mph. if I think about going left it;s half way over and hard to the left. the throttle is some how telepathic and the front tire has some sort of distain for the ground. I can't fathom a quicker way to traverse a 75 degree grade and wouldn't want to try any way I've already down it with the front wheel off the ground the whole way up and the rear blowing off when it was on the ground all to the great disdain of those following me. Yeah I love that damn thing even though it's laid me up half a dozen times. What can a I say I Like things that are slightly (completely) unhinged like myself.

sorry I can be a bt long winded when passionate about something.

Wow. I wasn't expecting full detailed report but thank you much appreciated! You mentioned the 1290 super duke, I'd like to get my hands on that machine as well! Just wait till you're hitting 120 ftlbs of torque at just over 7k on the 14! 1st, 2nd, 3rd gear wot, the second the RPMs hit 6k the cams kick in and she'll shoot straight to the moon, with or without you! I know a man or two here that can flash that girl to her max potential.

Hey man no problem surprised you read it all. and I've test road the 2012 zx at a kawi ride event. hand of god was how I described it. but light and and nimble it was not no slouch by any means and I'm banking on it holding high speed corners much better than the speed hell probably most corners but switching to the next or innate control of exit hooning not as much. And yeah I'm really really gonna miss the sound of my triple. I have had some good sound fours and heard even better but the triple is just a thing of beauty. Even at idle once it comes off fast idle for warm up (only electric wizardry on the bike right there) the melody is awesome almost a threatening note with a bit of uneven almost lope sound to it. It lets everyone know it's ready for a brawl just let it off the chain.

there's also something about the seat being the end of the bike that give it that look of this is not to be toyed with and a feeling when your on it that at any moment you might find that end. I guess they had a reason for making it grippy. and it is quite a nice seat. The wife's girlfriend did find it w bit discomforting that she was basically hanging f the back when we were straightening the back roads out. Lofting the wheel got her heart rate to jump a bit.

The wife,my sister and hers are looking forward to something they ccan get on the back of while I let loose a bit. They all miss my FJR. Don't take it as I push the limits with my loved ones on the back I've just had nearly as much 2 up time as solo so I know were that limit is and step way back from it but on any bike that can boogey and lay over that is quite exhilarating for the passenger especially if they neither have anything fast nore ride. If anything my favorite thing to do whether while riding, driving, ect is to share life lived to it's fullest with people.

G,day Poorboy N Ha luv yer imput already

Now if only the thing would get here. Oh well weather is going back to crap tomorrow any how and Monday I leave for Florida. Would be nice to bring the new zx with me though.

Congrats! I just got back from FL - The weather was great!

Good thing it's going to be in the 50's and 60's here in Colorado. I'll be riding sometime today.

The trip first and of course the 14 when you get it, great read and love the passion, keep typing lol

I'll get some pics hopefully this afternoon. Gonna be 60 today so have to try to squeeze a ride in today was 30ish this morning and dozen and half donuts don't make it to work on speed triple with out being made into some brad and icing collage. Works out at 330 and church is at 5 this is going to be difficult but I have to try. At least Wednesday I got the dirt bike and quad out. Which in all honesty gets my 2 wheel fix a lot better than the street bike. I love my street bikes but the crf makes me feel like I have cape on.

Thanks guys for the welcome. I'm kind of an all or nothing person if I'm going to give time, energy, and attention to something I'll give it all I've got if I'm not interested I'll normally not even bother.this makes pretty passionate about the things I do whether its work or play. So as a warning don't hit the on switch if you want the short version, go else were. I can also be quite headstrong and don't see any since in beating around the bush or giving a softer delivery with my opinion so again to don't push go unless your ready for it, because I don't halfsy anything.

your gonna be a great add to this forum

sorry guys never got around to getting some pics. took the last day pf warmth left and what little of that day was left after work to wash the dirt bike and quad. I can take pictures in the cold. I also have to dig up pics of the other bikes. wouldn't hurt to read the instructions to post pics either i guess.

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here I am all back from Florida and no bike yet. Of well supposed to snow up 9 inches tomorrow anyway. But afte it melts I'm going to have t nag the dealer. And mother nature needs to turn up the thermostat this is crap.

Welcome Poorboy.....damn, you talk a lot :D

Technically I type a lot.

And sorry for not getting pics of the Speed triple I left for Florida Monday and now I'm back in Missouri it's 4 degrees out side. I'm only walking out to the garage to get in the car.

wassup, Po!

Im gonna loose my mind if this snow doesn't disappear soon. I have the cold gear out and am willing to brave 30 degree temps just to twist the throttle a little.

Stupid bank and dealer need to get going on the ball to the bank is 3 weeks behind on my home equity load to consolidate the wifes school loans and the dealer was supposed to have the bike last week.

I not to miffed about the bike I can't well let's say won't ride it in the snow. I've ridden in the white stuff on a street bike before it's a bit discomforting but sometimes your to broke to fill the truck enough to go 67 miles to work.