I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a 14R but other than having traction control I'm somewhat doubting I'll need much more bike than a 14. I plan on riding it all day sport touring so engine heat is a concern and I hear the 14 does put off some heat. How bad is it and would anyone happen to know if the 14R really is that much better?

For reference I had a Blackbird and the heat was by far my least favorite thing about it. I'd automatically go with the 14R is the 14 is as bad or worse.

Thanks!

100+ heat in parts of LA: look up yesterday's temp.

Heat coming off the engine was more like the fans came on and blew that to my legs. First time I noticed that, but guess where the ambient was? I would get bursts of that heat. I should have looked to see if the fan was on, but I flipped my visor, checked the dash and I may have seen 212°F @ 65 mph.

Next time I took a look at the temp, she was @ 185°F. So that heat is going to give off with or without fairings on. And it's easy to see one over the other. That is:

1. Torque over the other is 114 vs. 120.
2. The hidden signals in gen1 is now open in 2nd gen, meaning, the intervention signals.
3. That would mean the k-skid interventions along with ABS.
4. That's dual fans not one for 2nd gen.

What? The 2nd gen is that much better than 1st gen? Of course. Don't start crying you are sitting over a lot of heat is a lot of hp being made. These bikes are hammered on the drag strip and they are not blowing radiator hoses. There are no coolant or heat related recalls. Whatever you are going to nitpick is bring it. And remember, one man's heat is another one not seeing the one label this bike owns.

I'm fine with engine heat in traffic, that's unavoidable. I just don't see why you need to roast going down the road at 40mph. I always felt my Blackbird's fairings were terrible for this.

I rode my zx all day yesterday and you will fell some heat but not bad enough to make it an issue unless you are going to sit on the bike for an half hour and not moving at all with the engine running.
OR HUB MIGHT SAY:
The Universe is made up of matter and energy. Matter is made up of atoms and molecules (groupings of atoms) and energy causes the atoms and molecules to always be in motion - either bumping into each other or vibrating back and forth. The motion of atoms and molecules creates a form of energy called heat or thermal energy which is present in all matter. Even in the coldest voids of space, matter still has a very small but still measurable amount of heat energy......

* Last updated by: SlowmoZX14 on 8/17/2014 @ 12:10 PM *

I went for a spin around town this morning with the temp only at 80, this ZX-14 doesn't
like slow speeds, it got hot in a hurry.

picture somewhat related in a metaphorical manner.

Point being, we are getting what we asked for here. If you unfamiliar with the literature, the pictured dude requires the service of a horde of brutal warriors and then is surprised when they act like brutal warriors.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 8/17/2014 @ 2:29 PM *

I have an '08 and live in Central Indiana. Apart from this year where it's yet to hit 90F (global warming causes cool temps, go figure!) even with hot/humid weather I've not noticed that the bike is unusually hot. I think some have said the later model bikes have better airflow but I have no complaints.

I always thought of heat production and heat management as two different things. I've ridden some mighty hot bikes that didn't make near the power of a ZX14. ST1300 comes to mind among a few other.

* Last updated by: Auron on 8/17/2014 @ 5:20 PM *

Even when my bike was putting off 225° heat. Never once did it bother me physically.

I love Aurons avatar, but the by product of power is heat, put a connie rad on with the two fans, that helps, a flash brings down the temps a bit and a very good coolant also helps you could always hook up a separate switch so you can turn on the fans when you want.

I've made up my mind on the 14R anyway and however hot it is, I'm sure I won't care it's such a wicked bike. Everything I've read tells me is will have better management than my XX and that's all I care about.

Heats never been an issue with my '07 at any speed. I had the header ceramic coated which probably helps some, but it was done only for cosmetic reasons.

14: Hey, fancy meeting you here.
14R: Well, we had a good time with you butt life goes on.

14: Oh yeah, I like your upgrades. Gained a little weight have we?
14R: Yeah, can you imaging that shit? Corporate reads those silly weepsites all crying about us.

14: I had a runny nose was all I had.
14R: Oh, that tip over switch was it?

14: Yep, and you?
14R: Nothing. Not a think so far.

14: You're not thinking what I'm thinking are you?
14R: You mean a hot debate about how hot we get?

14: You know that squid I carry around? That fat fuck fucking with my wires?
14R: I have the same asshole on my back. What'sit a disease around here?

14: I'm getting hot flashes don't get old.
14R: You still look HOT no matter WOT.

14: You're not flirting wit me are you? I feel a little wet and hot.
14R: By the way, how's that heat wave we had the other day?

14: Did dent die tell you? This asshole turns around he sees my ambient match the room temp butt outside.
14R: Fucking squids! That's age discrimination. Should I call the H2Oh say can you see is pee on me?

14: Fat chance on that fatty, ass I speak for the both of us!
14R: You mean you are as cool ass a clue come beer here!

14: Yes, lets have a toast for your second fan the fuck if it's needed but oh well, cry as they may.
14R: Oh shit look what's coming! HOT Pee Say!

My typical riding weather is mid 50s (mornings) to 90s. Engine heat is noticeable constantly on the calves. However it is not bothersome. It might be worse in shorts (never rode it in shorts yet). One of the biggest battles Kawasaki faced with G2 was dissipating all that heat that horse of a motor puts out.

My fans always come on around 207 at a long stoplight and the temperatre goes down from there. Its gradually been creeping up in temperature and two days ago it hit 214 while sitting at a stoplight. Both fans were going. Yesterday, I took off the left grill and added water to the overflow tank until it was full. For those of you who havent added water there is a larger tank behind the sight gauge. Then sprayed a 50/50 mixture of Palmolive dish detergent and water on the outside of the radiator. Let it sit a bit and rinsed it off with warm water from the hose sitting in the sun...lol !!! Took it out for a ride through the city today. It was 98 degrees outside. What a difference. 180 degrees cruising on the highway, 185 cruisiing in the city and at a long 4 way stoplight it hit 207, the fans went on and the temperature started dropping right away. Very noticeable difference.

Yesterday, I took off the left grill and added water to the overflow tank until it was full.

Also you mean DISTILLED water, right? not tap water. And of course it was mixed 50/50 with coolant.

...not to be a know it all but not everyone knows.

I run my Gen1 at the LOW line. Never tried adding coolant to the res. I know some disagree but it seems to me there isn't much going in or out of the reservoir unless you overheat. If the bike overheats, the coolant expands and it will flow into the res and pee out of the overflow tube if the res fills up to the top. IDK. Am I right or wrong on that?

* Last updated by: Rook on 8/24/2014 @ 7:59 PM *

If the bike overheats, the coolant expands and it will flow into the res and pee out of the overflow tube if the res fills up to the top. IDK. Am I right or wrong on that?

Correct as usual, D.

If the bike overheats, the coolant expands and it will flow into the res and pee out of the overflow tube if the res fills up to the top.

It's actually normal for some of the coolant to go into the reservoir, even when the bike isn't overheated. It's designed this way for a reason. The coolant expands and contracts based on it's temperature. As the coolant heats, it expands and the pressure increases. When the pressure reaches the rating of the radiator cap, it will start opening. This is how the system 'burps' air out. Air (if there was any) and coolant go into the reservoir. After the engine is off and the coolant contracts, it creates a vacuum which draws in coolant from the reservoir.

You can probably see this easier with a car or truck. Look at the level of the reservoir when it's cold, then check it after a drive... it should be a higher level in the reservoir when hot. If not, you may have a bad thermostat or radiator cap.

I plan on riding it all day sport touring so engine heat is a concern and I hear the 14 does put off some heat.

This summer has been so cold here, I'd love to be able to duct some more heat onto myself for my morning commute. I've been on multiple 500+ mile days on the 14 with no heat complaints. I wear motorcycle boots and leather pants, so that may be why I'm not feeling heat on my calves. My Ducati starts to roast my ass (and nuts) after an hour...

* Last updated by: aegisranger on 8/25/2014 @ 9:56 AM *

You mean "to the FULL line," right? Not full to the top.

Also you mean DISTILLED water, right? not tap water. And of course it was mixed 50/50 with coolant.

Rook: Nah....I filled it FULL just to make sure it was FULL. I used hard water right from the garden hose. Hey water is water !!! And what is coolant ????

Just kidding Rook !!!! I did it properly...lol !!!

I rode for 3 hours yesterday in 93 degree FL heat, and all I felt was the FL heat, not the bike's motor, which I have def felt on other bikes. I should say, though, that this was mostly country roads with very little traffic, so fairly continuous moving.