what is this im hearing about these spun bearings with hardly any miles on them. I just bought a 2014 zx14 and this has me concerned. i cant believe how badass these bikes are that they dont have a good oiling system. On top of that these motors are known for oil leaks smh. What do i need to do to this brand new bike so i dont blow a motor :/

Relax, relax. I've had 3, count them, 14's and all were oil tight, hard pounding throttle applies, no rod out the case, not one flaw I needed a warranty claim. Bulletproof are their names.

Feel better?

"What do i need to do to this brand new bike so i dont blow a motor :/"...keep oil in it and ride it like a 1441 cc Motor....strong and purposeful.I've not heard of any zx14R's blowing....the gen 1's...yup...a few.No Gen 2's yet that I know of?

Other bikes were not letting loose as if the oil problem has to be a problem for all models, as if all models or most models will fail caused by who you gonna blame? Show me the oil system vs. 6 years of production. I think everyone would agree they are beating their bike up occasionally, and you have to show me the oiling problem.

Yes, early year valve cover gaskets leaked, but only some so a revised gasket is now updated. Some leaked not all, not most, but some as in very few vs. that 6 year run. Every time you bring up a problem you've heard, either match it to other 14's so year after year or follow the herd you heard...

Same goes for the cup and teabag is waiting for a boil over with one or two fans. You have to prove it happens to all to make it an out and out flaw in design. Follow the owner's manual to the letter. This way you have only the manu to blame, not someone about to sway you from the break-in procedure and then 'heard mentality' here we come. I've done it both ways and the owner's manual wins the break-in procedure.

But then again, it's your bike, make your choice how you break it in and maintain it with or without a manual that answers most of your questions, signed...

.I've not heard of any zx14R's blowing....the gen 1's...yup...a few.No Gen 2's yet that I know of?

I haven't heard of a single 14r doing this. It's been 2 years. We would have heard of this by now and it wouldd have been a big topic like it was with the 06-11 ZX-14. I think this is a bunch o' busa owners conjering up rumors.

...or did you read a thread about this, matt?

There are only two oiling ports for all four rods on the big Kaw motors. #1 and #2 are fed by the same oil passage and #3 and #4 likewise. A Suzuki motor has one port per rod. I believe that this design is what makes this motor less tolerant to slight oil starvation and improper maintenance. As Hub already said... DO YOUR MAINTENANCE... It is not a design FLAW as it only requires you to take care of it. I will agree that it is less tolerant of complete negligence though. You can't really argue that one.. But then again... Why would you have to?

P.S. - There are companies out there that mod the cases and crankshaft for one oiling port per rod.

You could tell this guy was not wrapped too tight. I told the gen manager not to sell this guy a bike. Sure enough, the bike is sold, a week later it comes back all overheating and shit. Literally thrashed outside and in. More inside thought. And I have no clue how this bike was ridden? But can you see a few being ridden (we really don't know) how or what the original owner did from that day forward. So could that water cooled bike survive that abuse? No. Could I abuse it and it comes back normal, sounds fine, looks showroom? Yes.

What was the difference between both bikes? Owner neglect or owner maintained. Showing your friends how it revs up and hits the limiter in neutral? How long would a tight bike like that last if it needs a little wear-in factor? Same bike, same oil passages. You tell me. You hear some wild stories and she blows out the front of the case.

And then the owner comes on says it was never abused and you ask if it was ever taken over said rpm vs book break-in and yes it has. Even once. Yes it has. So did you follow correct break-in procedure? No. You beat it you eat it. End of story.

A Suzuki motor has one port per rod.

but still we have busas that spin conneting rod bearings. Maybe not as many..IDK..but I certainly hear the same thing about running down the road and a few seconds of weird noise and smoke, then oil pours out onto the rear tire. Usually happens under heavy load. Far as taking care of the servicing the engine, that should help but we had a Gen 1 owner onhere who was very careful about everything like that and his was ready to let go. He brought it in and had the the crankshaft and bearings replaced and engine rebuilt. Now that bike is owned by s new member, still running strong.

P.S. - There are companies out there that mod the cases and crankshaft for one oiling port per rod.

My top engine on my Gen 1 showed signs of possible oil starvation (at one point or perhaps ongoing, IDK). The camshafts looked good but the caps were scored on the inside. I'll be having a look at those when I check valve clearance again in a few weeks.

I've read on other forums oil starvation from riding wheelies. I would agree but there are some other factors. Cut oil pan = less oil available. Sight glass filled to which line? I would bet most are filled to the center or lower.

Noone will admit they did anything other than what the manual says anyway.

I always fill my oil to the high line or at least half way above the low line, also let it warm up before
You take off, at least until the idle goes down, a couple mins at least if you can ...

I have had many bike through the years, and have NEVER spun a bearing ....

Now, eric buell says amsoil helped his motors from the crank flexing, I don't really know that much about
Amsoil, some say its great, some say it's just good "snake" oil .....

Any thoughts ?

The industrial revolution used all these exotic oils, 'yeah, that's right... I slept with Morgan Fairchild too.' It still comes out of the ground to this day, is boiled or distill it away, are the weights out of this goo, like race fuel to jet to diesel to lawnmower gas, not counting the oil or paraffin. So, did not the simplest of oils keep those big machines running? They needed an additive... really? That's my thought.

And obtw, I mixed so many brands, weights and old shelf life oils, you see any rod out the case here is right up your snake oil. Wanna see the secret ingredients? Take a look. While you are reaching around for the wallet, I'm showing you what extra you are paying for... It's called right up the old waazoo.

I always fill my oil to the high line or at least half way above the low line

My 2nd 14 was broken in like one would ride it like they stole it kind of break-in. It would eat oil out the crankcase and one day I felt zip for power. I went to check the oil level for some reason. It was low so I filled it to what line, who knows? The power came back on. Want a racing trick? Find your oil level line. Too much might drag too much thru the parts. Too little, no crankcase pressure.

Think about that one this season, Mav. Keep it to yourself.

Hub I think your brain works much faster than your fingers can type my friend.

I do have that problem, don't I?

Yep. It just takes me a bit longer to read though, carry on.

Here's the story of one 14R blown motor. I have heard of several earlier model engines shooting crap, mostly from running after a fall.

http://www.zxforums.com/forums/zx-14-forum/86433-new-bike-blown-engine.html

This guy got a new engine, although not without a lot of wrangling.

Sight glass filled to which line? I would bet most are filled to the center or lower.

Oh crap. Here we go again.

http://www.zxforums.com/forums/zx-14-forum/86433-new-bike-blown-engine.html

Good Baby Jeebus! I have only 55,000 miles on my Gen 1 ZX and now I gots to stay up nights worrying about blowing a rod.... OH THE HORROR!!!

Mad

I'll say it again: how do you starve #3 without starving #4?

Maybe three lets go a tad bit earlier....anyone check number 4 for precursor damage?

I can honestly back up my buddy Hub up there and I can tell you a bit more after. BUT my first motorcycle was a Yamaha JT-1 Mini Enduro then, Yamaha LT-100 100cc MX then, Yamaha AT-1 125cc MX. ALL of these bikes a ONE big thing in common, Yamaha's NEW "Torque Injection", you didn't have to mix the gas and oil anymore!! Woooohoooo BUT, you needed to run and new oil formulated especially for that system.
Well, my family didn't have the money and we didn't exactly live close to town. Sooooo guess what I ran in ALL 3 of those bikes the WHOLE time I had them without ONE seized engine. Check it out...Phillips TROP-ARTIC 10W30. My dad could bring that home from where he worked so that's what I ran. Hmmmmmmm kinda make's ya think!

Sick

Oh yea, one more thing. A guy that lives on my street is a oils and fuels chemist for CITGO petroleum. I could tell you some things about fuels and oils that would keep you up at nights. Not about quality, about BRANDS and...as HUB eluded to...additives. Before you jump off the deep end here keep two things in mind... 1: MARKETING 2: SALES. Those are two REALLY big things when you produce a product to generate a profit. Ooops! Cat damn near got outta the bag!!!

Sick

I'll say it again: how do you starve #3 without starving #4?

Where the top end is the last to be starved.
Where the oil pump's exit hole is drilled into that one rod closest to the pump: still has flow but no pressure behind it until it fills all channels.
Where the faucet water is spinning full open, down the 50ft hose, but still has to fill that void in the tube before it backs up against the end of the sprayer = Oil now has pressure.
Where the crank might flex and wipe out a 3 or a 2 out the case.
Where the tolerance was (?)_________ Fill in the blank.
Where the forum we all at once flush our toilets at the same time.
Where the perp steps forward and we match said throttle apply.
Where the odds point to a Monday morning sakissembly.
Where the x-ray machine is only as good as the saki focused on a cracked rod that got thru.
Where the factory clique said, ha watch ha disshit I found a few bad rods we get that roundie back pearl harbor diss!

good read fellas...that link that guy put up is where i found it. i read it in some thread had me worrying...all good now. tomorrow 1st service will be done to the bike and full brocks exhaust gets slapped in :)