Maybe some of you guys who have owned the both generations of '14 can help me out a little. As I noted in my newbie thread, I'm pretty sure I'm getting a '12. I haven't even seen one in person yet, but that likely won't stop me from ordering a black one. But, I'm curious how the seating position on the '12 compares to the '11 and older. Sounds from the reviews like the seat is better. Is the peg/bar/seat relationship about the same?

I was just sitting on a new carryover '10 yesterday and liked it. Currently I have two Blackbirds, one with stock bars/pegs and one with a tubular bar kit that's up there pretty far from stock, and lowered pegs. I think the stock Blackbird is pretty uncomfortable. The stock '10 ZX felt much better to me. My modified Bird is super comfy though.

I'm sure I'll at minimum add gen-mar or other risers, and maybe go as far as adding a tubular bar setup, depending on how it feels.

I'm 42 and don't like being all wadded up any more, and also like to do a few 600+ mile days each year, and maybe even an occasional SS1000 if I get a wild hair.

It's looking like I have both my Blackbirds sold, so the way is paved for something

Thoughts?

* Last updated by: HankSD on 2/21/2012 @ 6:49 PM *

Hey Hank
I had an 07 and now have the 12 and I have to say the seating position feels exactly the same to me...no real difference to me.
Snuffy

Sitting position on my 08 is the very same position as on the 2012. Only difference in the seat is noticed by the passenger. It is wider. I am 68 and the primary reason for buying the Silver 08 was that it was more comfortable than the Busa. I had come off of a Honda CBR RR, so I know what discomfort is all about. I have put 49000+ on the 08 and the Green 12 has 3334 on it now. The only thing I have done is to slightly lower the pegs via Buel fat pegs. People (harley guys) always ask how I can ride that thing and when I question them about what they mean, half of them don"t have a 31.5 inch inseam and their two little feet won't touch the ground at the same time and then it goes down hill from there. As a high performance bike the ZX-14 is comfy enough for me as a sport touring machine. The slight foreword sitting position is not a problem. Ride till you die!

Hey 21744 do you have risers on either one? I'm still pretty fit (well it varies from time to time) but just don't like a ton of weight on my hands as they'll go numb after 500+ miles.

How did you manage to get 3400 miles on a 12 already? When did you get it? That's awesome! Especially at 68.. hats off to you.

Edit: I see you said the ONLY thing you had done was lower pegs...

* Last updated by: HankSD on 2/21/2012 @ 7:42 PM *

Hey 21744, you give us youngsters a boatload of inspiration!! I'm 56 n can only hope to not resort to a 3 wheeler by your age. Most commendable!! Ride on Brother!

* Last updated by: mad5674 on 2/21/2012 @ 8:06 PM *

That's what you call Old School !

Hey 43? This is a seat thread. Get it! LOL!!! This is between a gen1 and genR. YOu don't even own one. Where is the oil filter? Get it? LOL I bet in 3 years, you'll still have that bandit as your background on your monitor, oil grade goes from SG to SH and you'll be in the thick of it... Oh yes you will!

* Last updated by: Hub on 2/21/2012 @ 9:35 PM *

Both bikes are dead stock. I own a bar and I can sort of do what I want to do. If it is not raining, I ride.I am trying to clean up the 08 to sell it. I picked up the 08 on 11 17 07. I picked up the 2012 on 12/17/11. Ride till you die! GREEN RULES1

Okay....I'm gonna be the odd bird here...I have to say...the seating position on my 2012 is MORE comfortable legwise,arm wise than my 07 was stock.Way better IMO.And it's not just the seat doing it.They changed the airbox size...and the tank accordingly.I can feel a difference in sitting up close to the tank.My torso actually feels much more supported.The bars were moved....I'm gonna say...back just a bit.And my legs feel less bent.They may not be...but they feel like it.Kawasaki redid the steering head...subtle changes.I felt it immediately when I first sat on her.I know some here and elsewhere say 'there's no difference'....I won't argue with them...if it feels the same....that's cool.

I can only speak for myself on this deal.It feels more compact and comfortable,and the steering/bar connection feels much more friendly.To me.And not just because it's a 'new bike'.It may be listed as 31 something inches high at the saddle,but when you sit on her...it doesn't feel to me like I'm sitting ON the bike...more like...IN the bike...part of it.

The seat is....WAY above my 07's design and comfort wise.WAY.The larger pilot bucket really makes the ride feel plush yet controlled.The pressure is no longer on my inner thighs....making my calves tighten up after several hours out.VERY nice.They reshaped the seat and narrowed the very front of it some....I can tell...I ride up against the tank all the time.I probably won't be doing that as much now with my new bike.The shape is VERY supportive for carving and leaning and straight on cruising.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/22/2012 @ 12:35 AM *

Feels about the same to me. I do like the way the bike handles when your just idling a slow 360, otherwise it feels like my 11... Its comfy thats for sure... Im waiting for the roads to dry abit more and Ill be riding today. Sun just popped thru and its only 10am and its 50 degrees...

With that said the bike feel as comfy as the 2011.. Only thing thats different is your balls might feel alittle bigger on the R...

Creeps

My "feel" for it is different!

Seat is narrower and feels as if its lower when I am down in the saddle at speed on some curvy roads. Moving back(but not onto the passenger perch,LOL) for highway cruise seems to perch me higher on the bike and supports the bum better while legs can close on the tank for control and streamlining.

The tank seems to rise higher and the tank bag is closer to chest for support perch when laying out for highway cruise at speed.

I find less fwd pressure on the bars to counter with back muscles or by (incorrectly) supporting body with arms.
This implies a more upright sitting attitude, though slight, is available on the 14-R.

For me at 6'3" and 215-220 lbs, this bike is more comfortable for all applications, affording me plenty of room to move around on the seat to optimize comfort or performance at will.

Can't say you won't want to make the changes for an even more upright riding attitude; its a personal thing after all, but I think you will find the R to require less modification to suit you.

I owned a '10 and was very comfortable on that. The '12 is even more comfortable.

'My "feel" for it is different!'.....It's not just 'your' feel for it Paul....the redesign IS different.Anyone who actually thinks this bike is the same is not tuned in to how their earlier model felt.Sorry...but that's a fact.You hit every point dead right.I feel the same thing with mine.It is NOT the same as the stock earlier version.I won't be putting risers on her...or lowering the pegs...or anything else to get her 'more' personal.The stock ergos with this bike fit me excellently...NOT as my 07 did.EVEN with ergos mods.