Assist

I found the following info useful. The stock suspension is normally set for a 70 to 80 Kg rider, first set suspension sag to suit your weight and then adjust compression and rebound damping, this makes the damping adjustments more effective.
Suspension sag settings can be found at the Race Tech webpage and MCN http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/products/productsresults/suspension/2006/november/feb23-05-set-suspension-sag/ this article includes damping adjustment http://aprilia.rsvmille.home.comcast.net/~aprilia.rsvmille/bikes/suspension_guide.htm. There is a video explaining all this by Kieth Code from California superbike school.

Grats on a sweet bike!

Um yeah, no bounciness here. In fact it's quite stiff off the showroom floor and will take a few hundred miles to break in. My opinion don't even bother adjusting the suspension until you have at least 1000 miles on it. It'll still be breaking in for the next 1000 too.

Yeah dude. She's floats like a nice old caddy off the showroom floor. Plenty of adjustments if ya don't like it.

I'd verify that the adjustments are set per factory spec first, before I started changing anything.

iT FLOATS LIKE A BUTTERFLY BUT STINGS LIKE A BEE. LOL! SORRY, TOO EASY.

"This ZX14R seems a little bouncy. It rides like an old Cadillac. Kinda floats down the road"...hard to know what exactly you mean?"Kinda bouncy"...then..."floats down the road".It should be absorbing the seams and small ripples and such.It should 'float'...not be stiff or jarring.These suspensions are actually VERY sensitive to adjustments.Surprisingly so for a 'factory big bike'.Best IMO to wait till you have a real feel for what it's doing.The factory settings are VERY GOOD for street riding.Ride it some more...if you like stiff or firmer ride quality...you can always set for that.I'd just enjoy the factory feel for a while.The floating feeling is very nice IMO.(as long as it's doing this on both front and rear respectively).If this is your first big sportbike...then I'd ride her some more and get a feel for it.

BTW...she's gorgeous..your bike...congrats on that....;)And welcome.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/28/2014 @ 6:43 PM *

Btw bro I'm jealous. I really like that old school paint scheme. The current run of paint schemes on Kawi's sportbikes are rather boring, the 30th anniversary addition mixes this up nicely. Almost even gives it a respectable nostalgic look/feel to the bike.

Congrats on the bike looks great! You dont have to wait to set up your suspension, that would be just wasted miles in my opinion. The only thing that gonna move a little is the rebound which is easy to adjust. I hated the way my 2014 handled when i took it off the showroom. Like you say, it felt like it wanted to bounce all over the place. Im 200lbs I like my ass up as far as it can go with being able to get my nose 12mm lower than the rear. I like my suspension fast and stiff just to the point where is doesnt pogo. Bike rides like its on rails now. If your about my size ill post all of my settings tomorrow. But your best bet would be to find a good suspension guy and let him do the preloads for you with you on the bike cause everybody is a little different. Good luck!

"Like you say, it felt like it wanted to bounce all over the place."...see?Mine didn't feel that way at all.It felt solid and secure...soaked up the bumps and all perfect.Steering was great...carving at speed was firm and reliable.Like you say...everyone's different.Actually...I wouldn't really wait either if it wasn't feeling to your liking.Easy to adjust back if need be.

Mine also is bouncy and floats down the road. Still have not played with the suspension settings much.

"floats down the road". It's SUPPOSED to float down the road.That's part of the 'plush ride feel' characteristic of this bike.The 'bouncing'...that I don't follow.You mean...the chassis is alternately compressing at the front,rebounding,as the rear compresses,and rebounds right after?Sounds like a tad bit of rebound damping may be in order just to even things out....IF it's not doing this at virtually the same time that is.The wheelbase IS shorter than a cruiser bike.It's gonna be a tad more sensitive.It shouldn't be bouncing though.Compressing and rebounding back smoothly and controlled...that's what it should be doing...which you CAN adjust nicely.It won't take much.So adjust in small increments.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/29/2014 @ 10:35 PM *

Do yourself a favor....send the forks to traxxion dynamics (ask for Lee) and have them revalved and resprung for your weight. Also have then order you a Penske 8983 for the rear. The BEST money you can spend on your 14. The difference is day and night...it's impossible to be disappointed with the changes.

Congrats on your purchase....

Troy

Go to a race suspension shop, and tell them you want it set up for street/canyon riding
and you want it a little on the stiff side, should only cost you $20-$25,

it's well worth it, race guys can do it quick, while you sit on the bike to set lag etc ..
and then have you ride around and adjust as needed

It only takes a few measurements and a short time to set the preload on the front, at least to a ballpark setting, and that alone will make a big difference.

ALSO check the tire pressure. When I picked mine up not only was the suspension soft, the tires were at in the mid thirties so it was altogether spongy.

I love my "ride"; comfy, responsive when needed; my position and "settings" can be "adjusted"...
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Whoops!!! talking about bikes!!! Sorry, was just daydreaming... Happens when you get old...
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Just kidding!!!