So I have been basically riding her nonstop for a week with breaks only for sleep and food and polishing! :))) got a good little kit I take everywhere and buff her up at stops! :)
I completed the first service on my own and the oil change was very easy once the stock filter was mangled off! Adjusting the suspension has been very straightforward and easy for me to find the sweet spot. The stock Metzlers I would rate about an 8 out of 10. I have no problem once they are warm when it is clear touching the second line on the elephant. You can see in the pic the feathering effect of the TC at level 1 helping me out.

* Last updated by: Cblast on 4/7/2013 @ 12:20 PM *

Needless to say, I am impressed with the stock grip and drive off of the corners. I love this machine and the motor is probably the finest jewell of modern sport bike engineering I have thrown a leg over. Many bikes try for this level of sophistication and refinement along with power and they all have failed to one degree. The BMW k bikes are very refined in motor but are terrible in the instrument dept! They also handle weird and lack any real punch. The busa has plenty of punch but zero refinement. And sophistication??? This is one of the finest looking bikes today. Every angle offers you something, all is in the name of speed. Occam would be proud of every plane and edge. No fat humps allowed. Flawless power and equally flawless delivery. Amazing motor! Have I mentioned the motor!?!? Terrific brakes. Amazing looks. World class fit and finish. The black looks unbelievable up close with all the sapphire metallic in it! Looks like you can sink your hand right in!
I might add a Corbin seat (thanks phantom!) and maybe a set of nice slip ons. Ecu flash for certain. She is about as flawless a machine as you can get for a road bike! Living with her everyday is a breeze and a pleasure! I look forward to trips! Ergos are great! Roomy with plenty of seat room to shift position. A good road bike should not only be comfortable and fun but also handle very well and have plenty of power and brakes. This is so much more! I love track days and I still enjoy dirt bikes, but that old tradition of a great bike and a road less travelled is still to me what motorcycling is all about. The ZX-14R is not just a good or merely great road bike. It may be the finest ever crafted! I think we are privelledged to experience this level of engineering in motorcycling. No machine is as good at all things! This girls tale is so much larger than quarter miles or catalytic converters. I feel in the prescence of something great when I ride her, and something rare when she winds past 9000 in third!!!!!!!!!

If you like the stock Metzlers wait till you get a real tire on it. I have the Bridgestone S20's on mine and they are night and day better than the Metzlers on my 2012 were. Sharper turn in, faster warm up and a much more confident feeling to them.

Glad to hear your enjoying it. I just got to 600 miles on my '13 so I'll be doing the service in a day or so.

I wouldn't say I liked em! :)) I think they lack feel and at lean start to slide wayyyy early. I am gonna swap em for some pirellis I think. I wonder if 190/55's fit with no issues?

"190/55's fit with no issues?"...they fit.I have those S-20's on mine as well...I'm right at 1000 miles....so far,they are working really well...looks like plenty of tread left...no slipping either...nice turn in and grip.As Phantom said...the 2012's came with the Metzlers...they were toast within 1200 miles...but performed IMO very well other than that.

I'm thinkin these S-20's on my new bike are gonna hold up considerably more.Course,I'm not pushing my new bird as I did with my 1st one...so that may be making a difference...

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 4/7/2013 @ 11:20 PM *

mine came with the bridgestone s20, i was thinkg of trying the metzelers fitted in USA...but on reading that, maybe i wont!

* Last updated by: motero on 4/8/2013 @ 5:07 AM *

mine came with the bridgestone s20, i was thinking of trying the metzelers fitted in USA...but on reading that, maybe i wont!

MY Mates & I are really impressed with Power 3's

Those are the tires that are going on my 14R next, the stock metzler's have just over 3K miles now with no signs of added wear, just not a very confidence inspiring tire when pushing them hard.

ok maybe ill try the power 3, the s20 i like a lot, but wearing fast!!

Please! Tell me more about the Pilot Power 3's.

My favorite dealer is beating all the usual internet sources on tire prices right now and I am going to purchase soon either the Dunlop Q2 or the Pilot Power 3 or just get another set of Pilot Road 3's. Really like the Roads (got 5000 on em and they are still good to go some more); was going to get Q2's for a Hoolligan tire for mid summer and go back to Road 3's in the fall, but am hearing good noise about the Power 3's.

Also thinking of going to the 55 from the 50 for the prime time summer fun tire to sharpen the banking rate, heh, heh.
How do you guys like the steeper 55 on the 14?

Imminent order going out for Q2's or Power 3's to make sure I get the sale price; I note the 55 is more costly in each set, though.

One thing is for sure, the OEM Metzler 5's are going to the re-cycler! They have maybe a couple thousand mile left and was considering putting them back on; but after experiencing the Road3's, no way and no how. They are history.

Thanks in advance for any advise on the Power 3's and the 55 profile in any case; eager to get some experienced input here.

I currently have the Pilot Power 3's fitted (rear is a 55 profile) I absolutely love these tyres, they give great feedback dry & wet, it remains to be seen what sort of mileage they will do but currently I have just under 1000 Kms on them & they look like new!
I highly recommend these tyres.

Neil

Thanks Neilp,that's a strong recommend.

Ordered a pair; the dealer didn't have the 55 on the shelf. Parts man had to look up the tire as he hadn't heard of the new Power 3.

Looking fwd to June, when I plan to change the treads after another road trip or two.