djmjay
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted August 13, 2007 12:30 PM
New Bike Purchase ZX14 or Hayabusa
I'm looking for some advice on a bike purchase. It's a toss up between the 08 Hayabusa or 08 ZX14.
I don't really care for the looks of either but I do think the new Suzuki looks better than previous
years, maybe it the orange paint that does it for me. Next April I'm planning on a 6000 mile or so
trip after back surgery number three heals.
Any word on trouble spots on either one of these bikes that may give me trouble on this type of trip.
I'm hoping that Kawasaki releases photos etc on the 08 ZX soon. I hope they eliminated a couple
of the headlights and those side panels.
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82 GS1000SZ
85 FJ1100
85 RZ500
85 RGV500
85 FJ1100
86 GSXR 750
86 GSXR 750 Limited
86 GSXR 1100
91 ZX 750
   
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted August 14, 2007 10:27 AM
The 14's only issue on big trips is the possibility of overheating causing engine damage in severe heat. If you're not going to be riding thru Nevada in the middle of the summer you should be fine tho. Read fish_antler's story about his and princesskiwi's 3 week trip on the 14s (click on ARTICLES above). note however that there ought to be a new 14 in 08 which would make it an unknown. if you're looking for reliability you'll want to wait till both havebeen on teh street a few months and the reports start coming in.
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aliveagain
Needs a life
Posts: 5033
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posted August 14, 2007 04:26 PM
I would advise not to buy anything until after your surgery.Being realistic,back surgery can be iffy.Heaven forbid something doesn't heal right and you'll end up taking a big loss on a new bike.On the other hand,after your rehab,a new bike on a fresh journey could add to the excitement.You'll also have the benefit of a couple of months foresight into how the new models are.Plus,I'm starting to have problems hoisting my tree limb over the seat to get on.Perhaps the ergonomics of one will be better on the back than the other.Either way,good luck with the surgery and your choice of bike.
____________
I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted August 14, 2007 06:11 PM
Tonytooth, Dave, Smokin' and I have Zx14s in scorching Florida. We ride them in heavy traffic heat index always over 100. No overheating problems for two summers now.
The west coast people must've got some true lemmons, but I tend to think we're special and ours our tight!
Well, once in a while mine runs HOT:
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted August 15, 2007 05:43 AM
could that be because you East coasters just stand around admiring each others extended swingarms instead of hitting the corners! lol seriously though, I can't imagine the new 'Busa being more comfortable that the 14. There is no way Suzuki is going to go that route, they will go after the handling aspect of it so they can claim there bike is "nimbler" or some such. So expect the 14 to remain the long distance/comfort champ for a while to come. I havent read anything about the '08 ZX14, but realistically don't expect Kawi to do anything more drastic than, say, ABS option, stiffer suspension, and the no brainer the missing second fan some cheapskate left off the original. And yes, my bike runs at the very top of the heat gauge, even in 20mph steady driving with an ambient temp of 70 degree. Sucks but true, I have a Muzzy fan blade coming and am going to install the second fan that Kawi decided not to put on it stock. Plenty of room on radiator. Good luck on the back operation! And if possible, don't let them fuse any disks, trust me you lose ALOT of mobility that way, my dad and 1 year older bro both had disks fused and stopped riding cuz they couldn't twist about properly to see around them.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted August 15, 2007 06:13 AM
 Edited By: Sticks_n_Stones on 15 Aug 2007 07:17
I think I've officially stared too long at that photo. I can't decide what I like more about it: the awesome looking house, the car, the girl, or bike!! Is 10 minutes too long?? Dang I thought so.... oh well.....hmmmMMMMmmmm....mmmm....MMMM.....mmmmm
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'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted September 01, 2007 09:11 AM
i like the comfort of the zx-14. i compressed some vertebrae 23 years ago getting off my 1100F at 150mph. hell i was riding my cbx while i still had the body cast on. do not let others tell you not to ride if thats what you are about.
back to the 14 the ride is soft stock, i stiffened it up for my size (260) and handling. they make handle bar risers but i don't think it needs them.
go sit on the bike you like and make sure the ergonomics work for you. if you get a 14 make sure you have strong arms to hold on, the thing flies! i live in florida and have never seen an overheat condition and i'm still running the original radiator fluid. none of my fellow 14 riders have seen that problem either including steve,smokin,tony,scott, sean,specialed,mike and more.
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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Lucky Lo
Moderator
I gotta go....
Posts: 677
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posted September 02, 2007 10:37 PM
I've been out most of this weekend in triple digit heat on our ZX14 (which I absolutely love!) So. Cal. is cookin it up big time 110 deg. in some areas we've rode and NO problem here with overheating. Bone stock still, except flies and P/C.
I haven't ridden the newer Busa's so I really can't compare, but the older one was far from "nimble", which this ZX14 certainly is. I always get strange looks from people (sportbike riders) who haven't ridden one yet, when I talk about "tipping in". The appearance of the ZX14 is very deceptive to the way it feels and handles. She's beauty.
I am a sport bike rider. I have yet to see any Busa's running our canyon's. I see them out there.... They show up at local hang outs, but it's obviously a different sort of bike, or appeals to a different kind of rider. It's all good. Just figure out who you are, what kind of rider you are and what kind of riding you want to do.Then choose the bike which might best suit you. 
____________
one fast girlfriend....
Be yourself - Everyone else is already taken.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted September 04, 2007 04:36 AM
I thought only FL got the ZX14's that run cool!? :P
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted September 04, 2007 05:23 AM
Edited By: Sticks_n_Stones on 4 Sep 2007 06:24
Bastards I hate you all.....take your cool running 14's, women in bikini's, and crappy baseball teams and go to hell! I'll just sit up here in (raining once again) Washington State with my ball roasting gauge breaking 14 checking out the "grunge" chicks in there unisex baggy clothes and no make-up on the way to another 8 game Mariners losing streak. Damn no wonder the Canadians are always in such a bad mood....
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Lucky Lo
Moderator
I gotta go....
Posts: 677
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posted September 04, 2007 06:56 AM
quote:
I thought only FL got the ZX14's that run cool!? :P
Apparently it's the North West folks that aren't cool 
We southerners are so cool we're "ice cold"
____________
one fast girlfriend....
Be yourself - Everyone else is already taken.
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted September 04, 2007 07:55 AM
So does that make you the 'ice queen'? lol Actually my 14 is now at 2000 miles (mostly freeway) and is starting to run noticeably cooler now. It also has gotten faster and faster over the last couple hundred miles, I can power wheelie 2nd gear every time now and even get 3rd up occasionally, too. Being 6'6" and 300+ pounds I got alot of 'ballast' to keep the front tire down, so I don't want to hear how so-and-so can wheelie 4th or 5th easily! It's all relative with a guy my size-like having to order springs that the rep said were recommended for 2-up riding. Yep, thats me!
BTW just installed my Ebay Two Brothers slip-ons and jeezuz they are loud. wouldnt recommend them for anything but the track, honestly, since they drone really bad at cruising rpm's and leave me with a headache. Gotta break out the earplugs from storage. Just wish the cops were wearing earplugs, too.
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Lucky Lo
Moderator
I gotta go....
Posts: 677
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posted September 04, 2007 10:16 PM
Edited By: Lucky Lo on 4 Sep 2007 23:17
Did you try the quieting tips that Two Brothers offers? (for most of their pipes anyway)
We wouldn't let Shep come around our neighborhood at night until he put them on his RC51 'cuz he kept setting off all the car alarms! LOL
They help.... some...
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted September 05, 2007 05:31 AM
I'll look into it thanks! Guess 2 bananas would work, too!
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Lucky Lo
Moderator
I gotta go....
Posts: 677
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posted September 05, 2007 10:01 AM
It's good to be the Queen 
(if you're a girl!)
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godzilla
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted October 15, 2007 03:20 PM
I ran my 14 in traffic 110 last Summer (Shasta County CA) and it ran close to the top of the temp stack but never went into the shut down area. I am going to go with the Muzzy aluminum fan before next year. On the hyway there seems to be no problem, it's just in stop and go or extended idle situations. The 08 Busa had twin fans. In an "08" I would go with the Busa if the prices were the same. For an "07" I will stay with my Kawi over the Suzi hands down for the clutch, brakes, trottle and ride smoothness.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted October 16, 2007 08:01 PM
sure the busa may come with an extra fan. but it also comes with that tail..... and my 14 doesn't overheat in scorching FL anyway.
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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BIKEGOD
Expert Class
I'm lost???
Posts: 345
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posted October 18, 2007 02:03 PM
quote:
Bastards I hate you all.....take your cool running 14's, women in bikini's, and crappy baseball teams and go to hell! I'll just sit up here in (raining once again) Washington State with my ball roasting gauge breaking 14 checking out the "grunge" chicks in there unisex baggy clothes and no make-up on the way to another 8 game Mariners losing streak. Damn no wonder the Canadians are always in such a bad mood....
Well, the weather certainly doesnt help our moods.
However we can also ride sleds for 6 months.....................weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
____________
I'm a friend of your mom's,
Get in the car !
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BIKEGOD
Expert Class
I'm lost???
Posts: 345
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posted October 18, 2007 02:04 PM
quote:
Bastards I hate you all.....take your cool running 14's, women in bikini's, and crappy baseball teams and go to hell! I'll just sit up here in (raining once again) Washington State with my ball roasting gauge breaking 14 checking out the "grunge" chicks in there unisex baggy clothes and no make-up on the way to another 8 game Mariners losing streak. Damn no wonder the Canadians are always in such a bad mood....
Well, the weather certainly doesnt help our moods.
However we can also ride sleds for 6 months.....................weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
____________
I'm a friend of your mom's,
Get in the car !
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