Just wondering if anyone has had the opportunity to ride both the new ZX and the Concours. I own a Concours now and am going to pick up a 2012 ZX-14. I know all the power differences, what I was wondering about was the vibration at highway speeds. Does alot of vibration make it to the bars or pegs?

Thanks for your help.

Kevin

Smitty,

I'm going to take a chance and say, who is tuning your bike? At around 4 thousand rpm, I have to look at the key switch position because I do not believe the tach. I thought the bike turned off; what buzz are you talking about? Oh, that tune up! Buy the book, no one listens to turtle yours is not smooth yet.

If the R is just as smooth as the first gen, there is more smoothing than out of the crate.

* Last updated by: Hub on 2/18/2012 @ 5:48 AM *

Smitty, I rode a ZX14 from the time I picked it up new in 2008 until two days ago. I now ride a 2012 Concours 14 ABS.

I found the clipons on the ZX14 extremely buzzy. I immediately put heavy bar ends on and that helped a little.

Shortly afterward, I put an LSL handlebar conversion on, and by the time that was done and had Vibronators stuck in the handlebar ends, all the buzz was gone. So I never solved it with stock clipons.

I have no idea if the 2012 ZX14 would seem buzzy to me. Some people don't ever feel it all, I just have nerve damage in my left elbow and right forearm and my hands and arms go numb on moderately buzzy handgrips.

Some people don't ever feel it all, I just have nerve damage in my left elbow and right forearm and my hands and arms go numb on moderately buzzy handgrips.

The old man in me wanted to bag up and gear up in the rear. I felt those bars flex on the connie and walked away. There seems to be a numbing effect where the stock 14's position [not the connie], can be addressed by raising the bars with an aftmkt product. That cured most of the numbness on my end.

Who knows if this will be a problem for you? Most have agreed that the R is as smooth as the first gen. I have no doubt it is probably smoother in different modes without touching the, cough, better tune.

I'm wondering if a mode would eliminate some timing through smoothing? Then again, we have the VOG (variable WOT gas mileage gauge) meter with each mode? I would assume so. I'm trying to imagine the modes, their subtle timing change, thus the fuel change. Where at FULL mode, you'd propel via, best mileage? Most buzz?

See, mine used to buzz. I can hear your bike's buzz on the tube. Mine is out of sync? It has to be. That spring set is the same old design, so within a few hun, you won't feel it, but the manometer will. Getting back to the buzz-tubing, it's the idle that is the tail tell sign.

If you de-buzz the idle, this will eliminate the sting out of the bars/mirrors/pegs. Again, I cannot stress the shop manual procedure has a lot to do with de-buzzing. Anyone shows up here, tells [me] their bike does not buzz, repeat they did not even sync their bike as per manual... Turtle does not listen to those shedings on the hill are the fools that do not follow the turtle touch. >>> FSM!!!

There is your info... Page after page is the debugger. Be very-very careful tuning the R or the idle is going to go batchit. Take that! K-teapot my cable.

The new 14 is a lot less buzzy than its older brothers. The engine is silky smooth. Four years ago, I was in the market for a C14 so I have ridden both the C and the 14. I chose the 14 because of my riding style. I like to travel but my bike is primarily used for rippin' curvy roads and the occasional track day (roadcourse not strip). The 14 is far superior in that department and the new 14 is much better than my 07 was. Check out my recent "140 miles of bliss" post.

I'm sure the C14 is more comfortable on long trips but it didn't handle nearly as well as the 14. Plus, the 14 is a freakin' blast to ride. The new one is a huge upgrade. I suggest you demo ride both and go from there. Both are great bikes.

* Last updated by: CurveKilla on 2/19/2012 @ 7:35 PM *

I own a new 12 14r and a Connie with area p exhaust, bmc filter, and pc. In my opinion the new zx14r is the smoother more refined ride of the 2. On the Connie even with secondary flies removed the power delivery feels almost v- tec like in comparison. As for vibration in the bars it was never an issue that I could knit pick but since u asked the Connie does have more bar vibration as It is non- existent in the zx14r. I much prefer riding my zx over the Connie for the simple fact the seat in my opinion is better and is 2" lower. I feel u sit more in the bike then on the bike as in the Connie's case. If u want to reduce the vibration add a set of grip puppies as I always do on all of my beemers. They r the buzziest of any bike I ride and own. They do wonders only downside is they fatten the bars and may be an issue. To me they feel great but I have gorilla mitts for hands.

Dozer,

Thanks, that answers my questions.... Now just a matter of waiting for it to arrive at the dealer.

Kevin