Found a 2012 ZX14, in blue, at my local dealership. It apparently was a demo bike from Kawasaki they picked up and are selling, 350-ish miles on it. This will be my first Kawasaki, before now I have rode nothing but Honda's. I have a few questions if there is anything I should know before going and picking it up, anything to look for. I have also been browsing around and see that some slip on exhausts require a power commander. Do they all require one or is it just full systems? I will not be getting a full system the bike already has plenty of power I don't feel it needs anymore. Anything you guys can give me a heads up would be great. Thanks in advance.

My #1 question would be: "Is this considered factory-new for warranty purposes?" If it's previously untitled it should be fully covered. You should also be able to purchase an extended Kawasaki factory warranty and in my opinion, that is a good choice. I'm not a big fan of 3rd party extended warranties though.

The biggest problem with ZX-14s is that there are limitless performance and appearance enhancing products. The only thing that will constrain you is your wallet!

No you do not need a power commander. The bike is more than capable of making up for the slightly freer flowing slipons. Unless you want to maximize the power capabilities of the slipons then would would want a PC or the ecu reflashed. If you so choose to take that route I highly recommend having the ecu flashed as it will allow you to completely remove all restrictions for maximum power for about the same pice as installing a PC and having it tuned. But like I said, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise, she is just fine without a power commander if you choose not to run one. Slipons will not make it run any more lean than with stock exhaust.

"Is this considered factory-new for warranty purposes?"

It does come with the 1 year warranty from Kawasaki. As for the extended warranty, I usually pass on them, I did on my last new Honda and didn't have a lick of problems.

No you do not need a power commander.

Thanks for clarifying. I kept reading in several places you do then you don't, was a bit confusing. This bike is going to have plenty of power for myself. I am currently on a Honda VFR800, previously had a Honda VTX1300c, cruiser bike, a Honda Superhawk and a Honda VFR750. Going to take some getting used to when shifting up to the big ZX but I am sure I will do fine with it.

The big girl is a great bike, she can be as gentle as a moped and as mean as the baddest motoGP bike.

I have a set of slip ons without a pc and mine runs just fine. Of course I will get a pc later on but it's all good for now.

* Last updated by: BUSAKILLER1987 on 1/13/2014 @ 4:32 PM *

Really appreciate the input guys. I am hoping to buy the bike outright and stay away from a loan, so waiting on my next comission check to see where I am at. I see mention of "opening flys" anyone care to clarify?

This is where I recommend having your ecu reflashed. The secondary throttle plates act as a restrictor plate at lower RPMs by creating a more "manageable" power band and keeping the average joe from flipping his bike over on himself. The STPs are also an integrated part of the KTRC(do not remove the flies). By having the ecu reflashed to open the flies much sooner it will create a much more torquey bottom end and harder acceleration.

* Last updated by: Cornelius on 1/13/2014 @ 5:05 PM *

CaptainSpiff,

Best of luck to you on the bike buy! Where will you be riding your ZX14r?

CaptaiSpiff, snatch her up quick and you won't remember how to spell HONDA after the first ride, Enjoy!

A BIG from downunder

Where will you be riding your ZX14r?

I live in South East Kansas! Primarily ride around there and will be down into Oklahoma and Missouri sometimes.

CaptaiSpiff, snatch her up quick and you won't remember how to spell HONDA after the first ride, Enjoy!

Working on the wife now. I was originally looking at a 2000 Honda cbr1100xx blackbird but think I would rather have a newer bike. First change I will doing to her is some exhaust, probably from two brothers. I bought my VFR exhaust from two brothers and really liked it. I had questions about the reliability, fit, and finish of Kawasaki but reading through here and talking to a few people those fears have been eased. Just waiting on the weather to straighten up here and a few more commission checks so I can pay cash for it. I did find out it was a demo bike the dealer picked up from Kawasaki. It has 358 miles on it, can anyone tell me what the normal break in procedure is? Really got the itch, this one is a 2012 in what Kawasaki says is a spark blue. Thanks for all the warm welcomes, really wanting to run and grab it up!

Properly maintained the ZX will last a lonnnng time. For street riding the motor is understressed, it's just loafing along. I have heard of very few inherent problems with the model, and mine has been very very reliable.
So, go get it and enjoy riding it. And also enjoy watching the "modding" bug bite you in the wallet!!

Mad

I live in South East Kansas! Primarily ride around there and will be down into Oklahoma and Missouri sometimes.

Lots of wide-open spaces and long stretches of highway in that part of the US. I think you're going to enjoy the ZX-14 a LOT!

Lots of wide-open spaces and long stretches of highway in that part of the US. I think you're going to enjoy the ZX-14 a LOT!

That's no joke. I am really looking forward to it, almost giddy at this point. Just waiting on a few more monies to come in and to see what the dealer offers me on my trade, if its not enough, I will attempt to sell it outright which could be a beast. VFR's are fabulous bikes, love it but wish it had more power, but not highly sought after.

So I am writing off the 2012 demo bike, found a nice white 13 and an orange and black 14, my question is based around the valve adjustments. It looks like they are suggested at every 15,000 interval. Never owned a bike that needed one of these so this is new territory for me. Can anyone shed some light on this? I have read what it is for and what it does I am more concerned with the frequency and how important it is, like missing one down the road is super bad or not. Thanks in advance.

Not a big worry and I can relly tell your a Honda guy, lol. The vavle adjustment is worth a check, doesn't mean they are gonna be out of spec but it doesn't hurt to check, mine is not making any noise and last check they where still in range (2007 gen 1) and the gen 2 motor is even better, man quit worrying and get the 14 you NOT be dissatified at all your gonna love the smooth ride and smooth power!! Welcome to the darkside!!!!

two bros are good (Honda Guy) but a Muzzy for your Kaw is the ticket, trust me Im a 3 bike Kaw guy.lol

Definitely am/was a Honda guy lol. My VFR had valve adjustment but -nobody- does them because the V4 engine is a beast to do them on, or so I am told. Definitely will be picking up the 14, love the look, love the feel. I am kind of backing away from the two brothers, stated eyeing the coffman's exhaust, looks good tucked under there. Just need the weather to cooperate, and stop this freezing rain shit, so I can get my VFR down to the dealer and get my 14! Kind of steering away from the demo bike, no one seems to know anything about it other than "we got it this way" bad juju to me. Appreciate the help guys, the forum has been awesome so far!

P.S. Can I change my name to Honda Guy? lol

* Last updated by: CaptaiSpiff on 1/31/2014 @ 8:42 PM *

I had my valves checked at 53,000 miles, all in spec. They were checked when I bought it at 39,000 miles, good there too. They seem to hold for a long time. Enjoy and post pics when you buy it.

Mad

Crunching some numbers then will be picking up the 2013 in pearl white, still brand new. Fantasitc looking bike! Will post pics after I get it, just need the weather to cooperate, there is ice on the ground here today :(

Good choice...great looking bike!

Can someone point me in a direction, if there is one, to big differences between an 08 and a 13 minus the engine beef up in the 13. Found a 2008 with 600 miles from an older gentlemen that bought it brand new and doesn't like it. It's the matte black and red. Just anything I will be tackling that I may not want to mess with that I wont with the 2013.

I have the 2011 model which is the same as the 08 pretty much I think. I love it and haven't had any problems so far. I say get the 08 if it's got 600 miles and if it's a good price. Just my opinion.

Welcome aboard -- and if the price is right, the '08 is great. Love mine. Kawi changed the secondary butterfly ECU parameter to open them sooner than the 06-07, it's not a huge difference from what I've read but an improvement all the same. the '11 is generally the same bike as the '08 so the extra money and higher insurance rate isn't really getting you anything special