Hello all, and thanks in advance for any much sought after insight offered.

300K+ On two wheels. 81 GS650E, 82CB900F, 86FJ1200. All 3 new. Stopping there because the FJ was and remains my favorite ride. Comfortable, smooth, stable and "planted" at speed. Thinking the FJR would be the FJ+, add a 2008 to the list. Bunch of used FJ'S bought & sold in between. Mileage breaks down to 250K FJs, 20K each to the rest. All wrenched by me.

The help: Is the ZX-14 engine truly as smooth as it is reputed to be? What are the hidden problems or issues that may arise? 10 days or so to trigger pull on a 2016 SE. (Don't like the non gloss black but competent enough to lay clear on top) In return, I'll share all I know and all I've still to learn. FJR is for sale.

Jim

The 14R has the capability to be a lot more fun the the FJR and a wild beast if you can handle it right. The 14R will feel different but for a chain drive bike its very very smooth. Think you will love the 14R more than you can imagine you will now. Others here have gone the path you are contemplating and hopefully will chime in.

Welcome... The more cylinders, the smoother the engine. This is not a goldwing, but I'd put up the smoothness of the 14's 4 cylinders up against... whatta ya got? Your carb'd fj won't even make the prelims if we start in on smooth. That 12j is up against a 1441cc. Pull the trigger. You no like, I'll buy it from you. I have someone that might be interested in the fj. What's the mileage on the bike and how far are the miles we us the west coast as Point-A. Any fj engine parts like a crank, cylinder, cases, gears, etc.?

Welcome to the forum JCC.
The 14 is very smooth, it's good for long rides in that it won't put your hands to sleep with any high rpm buzzing. There are a lot of inexpensive add ons to make it even better as well. The biggest change vs your FJs is there is a lot more bodywork to deal with when it's time for maintenance. Look for Rooks tutorials here.

Mad

Thanks all..

What I'd like to know is.. are there any hidden issues that don't present until a few years in or 10K or so plus miles. For example, the FJR has a tendency to crack its subframe, just over the tail. Even an empty top box is enough to do it, if ridden over rough NYC streets for a while. There are other things.. Vibration, which I know is subjective and can vary from bike to bike, even of the same model & year. But the FJR is more than I like. There are supposed "fixes" like a power commander, throttle body synch, different bar ends, retorquing engine/frame bolts, etc. Some report it makes a difference, others don't. That vibration comes in around 3800 rpm, annoying because its where 5th puts you at around 75 mph or so. Main reason for 6th gear on later FJR's was to try to drop rpms at cruising, just enough.
No, I don't need or expect Goldwing smoothness, as long as I can do 100 mile days without a pain in my hands, wrists, arms. First thing I did with the FJR is remove side luggage & add top box. Don't do any substantive touring. Know the FJ12 is a dated design, but you would be surprised what a great motor it is. Still manufactured by Yamaha today, for implementation in some midget car racing. Tons of forums for it, people have fit cross fit different wheels to take modern rubber and transplanted brakes, modern front & rear ends. And no, the FJ1200 is not velvet smooth, but its torquey, powerful (plenty for its day), comfortable and stable at speed. That's what I'm looking for & MORE in the ZX-14R

Thanks again,
Jim

Test ride one..... you'll be blown away!

Embarrassed to say it but I've been riding bikes for 50 years and have ridden and owned a lot of bikes. The ZX-14R is exceptionally smooth and almost totally vibration-free, just like my Concours C-14 which has a de-tuned ZX-14 motor, I have put 500 miles in a day on the C-14 and could easily have done more. Although I don't take the ZX-14R for long trips, I definitely would if I decided to put some luggage on it. I have done 200+ miles on it multiple times and been fine each time. I got some Black Path bar risers and Knight lowering pegs and I am good to go.

Power? Holy Hell, the ZX-14r has it in spades!!! Unless you are REALLY pushing it on a regular basis, you might not want a new flash, Power Commander, etc. You do need to get immediately rid of those dual pumpkin launchers though. Better sound/performance and about 30 pounds less ugly weight...

Like mentioned above. Go by your Bank/Credit Union and get the loan ready before you take a test ride...

* Last updated by: d04011 on 4/28/2017 @ 3:27 PM *

My first bike was a 84 VF`1000, basically a direct competitor to Yamahas FJ line... And despite what the damn magazines said I never lost a race to an FJ...VF1000 rules!!

My zx-14R is 3x the bike. IMO seats better. Taller seat height but still managable even at 5'7-8ish. It'll be slightly more cramped in the legs, and the reach the handlebars is going to be further. Both of which are solvable. I averaged 40 mpg on my VF1000F pretty reliably and about now matter how I rode, the zx-14r will suck down fuel at a higher rate prety much no matter what. IME expect about 32-38 mph, and if you're really wrastling her around don't be surprised to see 10mpg (like on a track). But she's worth it... expect 3x the bike.

I've never heard of this for 3 years now here, but it was rumoroed that "bad" wheelies could cause 14 frame weld problems. I don't suggest trying to disprove this myth. Over time I've learned to somewhat control power wheelies (still not an expert, stock wheelbase) and you shoudl never try to let the front wheel slam back down to the ground. If it happens - oh well. Just don't try.

Some people have experienced "sudden grenade syndrome". It's difficult to attribute this to any one thing. Some believe it may be attributed to #3 oil flow blockage to the main bearing. IMO - if you buy a new one, break it in by the book. All kinds of people told me "vic if you break it in slow it'll be slow". This is complete bullshit. Hubs definitely one of the top technical/mechanical minds on the site here (no offense to anyone else please feel free to speak up) and I'm pretty sure he's a slow break in guy too.

* Last updated by: VicThing on 4/28/2017 @ 8:38 PM *

Can't thank you guys enough... I'll be 59 in November and finally I feel a little like a kid again. Holy crap! Moved the money in place late today. Looks like Tuesday or Wednesday pickup. $12,500 + Tax and $450 for 4yr warr from a dealer on EBay. Reality for me, likely the last "new" bike... why I wanted and needed help and a measure of reassurance. Don't buy bikes as "samplers" I ride the shit out of 'em.

Jim

I just bought the 2016 se about 4 months ago always had glossy paint on all my other bikes and was kinda skeptical about the matte finish but really like it, easier to keep clean no swirl marks ,so far I love it! Just the stock Bridgestone s20's really suck after about 1k miles those just had to go!

Thanks for the props, Vic, but I'm no expert; just average. Hard break-in I lost oil before a 3k oil change interval. Book break-in I still have the same level when the interval is ready for an oil change... you beat it you eat it.

My bike is down for book maintenance; like neck bearings needing repacking and new tires. These are the regular service intervals being addressed.
The guy is still interested in your FJ. Got a price so I can let him know?

Hey JCC, I'm also 59 have had my ZX14 for 5 years now and stilllove it. Mine has 64k miles on it with no major problems except a tendency to eat rear tires for some reason...
I put Grip Puppies on the grips. Makes a slightly larger grip and further dampens any vibration. Love them. I also use a Go Cruise throttle lock for long trips. Cheap and works great. I have a DL650 rear rack along with a Coocase top box. No issues at all.

Mad

Had 2006 ZX14, put 46k miles on it, zero issues ever, minus the aforementioned tire eating dis-order, and even that mostly went away when I started running a Pilot Road 4 GT rear with Pilot Power 3 fronts. Now, 6-7k miles from rear tires, ~8k from the front! Now have a little over 14k miles on a ZX14R, and zero issues again. These bikes are great, go buy one, you won't regret it. A LOT of info on this forum too for add-ons etc.

The only real problem with the ZX14R is that I can find no better bike out there.

That's good right? No, not really. It means I'm stuck! It's good to have hopes and dreams, but now there's no other bike out there I can dream about!

DAMN YOU KAWASAKI!!!

(ok I do wish the ZX was shaft driven, but meh chain is no problem)