zermatt
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted April 23, 2006 07:23 PM
I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!
What a bike! I rode 313 miles today for a total of 447 accumulated since getting the bike on Friday at 3:30. This thing is a BLAST!! The power is soooo smooooth, it pulls like crazy - and I haven't even had it much above 7-8k rpm.
The suspension feels great to me. I'm not racer, but I ride hard and I'm a big guy - and this bike always feels planted. I'll probably screw in the preload F&R a little in a couple of weeks and see how I like it. It's definitely got tighter suspension than my ZZR, but I still want to stiffen it up a tad.
My only negative comment so far would be about heat. I'm not sure what the guys in Vegas did when they said this bike didn't put off heat - but IT DOES. It's not bad, but it's worse than my ZZR was. My ankles and feet were pretty darn warm all day. Sure, it was a warm day today, but I've ridden my ZZR in 110F+ heat and never had as much heat on my feet and ankles as I did today while it was 90F. Also, the bike was running warmer than my ZZR ever did... every time we stopped for a break, I'd leave the key on (engine off) so the fan could run a while to help cool things down. I'll be adding water wetter very quickly... I was almost scared today... and it was only 90!!
All-in-all, this bike is incredible. I can already tell that I'll be racking up plenty of miles this year 
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
  
|
havabusa12r
Expert Class
Posts: 425
|
posted April 23, 2006 07:45 PM
What kind of break in MPG are you getting?
____________
(68 Yam 175 2-stroke)
(99 Copper Busa) (99 Duc 900 SS full fairing) (00 MV Agusta F4S) (02 Aprilia RSV Mille) (02 ZX 12r CTB) (03 KTM 950 Adv)
(04 Yam R1) (05 LE Busa) (07 ZX 14)
|
phil
Expert Class
Posts: 420
|
posted April 23, 2006 08:00 PM
 Edited By: phil on 23 Apr 2006 21:00
I would think the fan should run with the key off if it's hot. Same as the 12's.
|
nightmare
Pro
ACP Racing
Posts: 1797
|
posted April 23, 2006 08:09 PM
I thought the fan would do it as well. So you mean to tell me that the fan runs as you turn the key??????
|
zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
|
posted April 23, 2006 08:14 PM
Edited By: zx61114 on 23 Apr 2006 21:17
Matt your killing me. AHHH I need a 1000 mile day bad I mean real bad. I am a bit concerned with the heat issue. I'm wondering if the issue with the bike was emissions. If I'm not mistaken the hotter the engine the cleaner the fuel burns, but we become a part of the cooling process. At Daytona I stopped at a yellow light on purpose, try to heat the 14 up good as God is my witness I remained cool. It was 80 F outside and things were great in the heating dept. I've ridden your ZZR and the heat coming off that puppy was pretty bad, now your saying this is worse. I'm hoping Kawasaki put in a higher thermostat to meet some crazy EPA condition.
Now having said that I will tell you that the wax unit on my VFR did some crazy things in the first year. Warming quickly at first then hardly warming at all the first winter, I suspect some garbage was messing with it (the wax unit) that first year. I went 24 K before changing the coolant, flushing with water first then adding new coolant seemed to do the job cleaning the garbage out of the engine and it's been working perfect ever since. I suspect (with some luck) I can speak more wise in about the 14 in a week.
After thinking about it, maybe you should check the level of the coolant, If this is low it will run hotter. Not only the level reserve but open the radiator up make sure that puppy is full. As the self appointed nerd of the group I do not remember the coolant gauge ever showing more than 4 bars (as shown on pic) at Daytona. If yours showed 5 bars or better I'm guessing the thermostat may have been changed out. Please keep me up to date on the levels.
Thanks Robert
|
fullzx12r
Zone Head
French Guy
Posts: 864
|
posted April 23, 2006 08:33 PM
thanks zermatt 
____________
zx-12r 01'
zzr 1400 06'
hayabusa 08'
zzr 1400 12'
|
GUNNER
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
|
posted April 23, 2006 08:38 PM
quote:
I would think the fan should run with the key off if it's hot. Same as the 12's.
Phil if it's like the 10 it won't. All that needs to be done is a switch piggie backed to the relay that's under the body and presto! flip a switch and instant fan just like the 12 days. The 12 was easy because the whole deal was mounted on the radiator. These are easy to because you just have to jump the relay and if it's like the 10 it's easy to get at.
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
|
posted April 23, 2006 10:13 PM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 23 Apr 2006 23:13
hmmm... bizarre.... it was about 70 in Vegas if I remember correctly and I specifically remember being surprised at the total lack of heat coming off the bike... a meeeesterrrreeeee unfolds!
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
petdocZ
Parking Attendant
Posts: 20
|
posted April 24, 2006 02:41 AM
quote:
I specifically remember being surprised at the total lack of heat coming off the bike...
I felt that way too when riding it in Daytona. I made certain I rode it the hottest day (80+) and sat at a few lights. We have LOTS of hot days in FL so I hope Kawi didn't change something to make the bike so hot for you.
|
CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
|
posted April 24, 2006 05:27 AM
Matt were you wearing shorts on the 300 mile ride???
Everybike gives off heat, no big deal...
____________
Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
|
chriscollins
Novice Class
Posts: 91
|
posted April 24, 2006 05:32 AM
I would think in the begining a tighter engine puts out more heat. this is part of the reason the break in procedures are so strick. I can remember my 12r running cooler after about 800 miles or so back in 02.
|
D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
|
posted April 24, 2006 07:52 AM
Wear boots.
|
tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
|
posted April 24, 2006 08:21 AM
quote:
What kind of break in MPG are you getting?
B'out 33mpg on mine. I'm being cival but not babying the thing.P
____________
The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
|
tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
|
posted April 24, 2006 08:24 AM
Matt: Do you have the same flat at 4G as I do? It's not to bad but a little annoying at 45mph in traffic.
____________
The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
|
zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
|
posted April 24, 2006 09:05 AM
Toolman and ZerMatt,
The flat spot on the VFR are cured if I drop or up a gear is it the same on the 14?
Rob
Oh yea no word if these puppies have made it here in Florida.
Rob
|
MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
|
posted April 24, 2006 10:10 AM
that heat deal is very weird, even though it was cooler in the evenings, I do not re-call any heat coming off of the bike. as compaired to my ZX12R though...
____________
200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
|
tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
|
posted April 24, 2006 11:04 AM
quote:
Toolman and ZerMatt,
The flat spot on the VFR are cured if I drop or up a gear is it the same on the 14?
Rob
Oh yea no word if these puppies have made it here in Florida.
Rob
Yes, but the flat spot is still there you just are not in the middle of it.
____________
The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
|
smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
|
posted April 24, 2006 05:08 PM
zermatt how is the hit when it hits the power band?? Have you rode a zx10 and if so how does the top end hit compair?
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
|
ZREXER
Expert Class
Posts: 492
|
posted April 24, 2006 05:56 PM
Edited By: ZREXER on 24 Apr 2006 19:20
At least the few that have a '14 seem to love them.................it would really suck if I waited another month or so and found I didn't like the bike all that much.
No offence to the 'offcial testers' of the world, but the opinion of an 'average joe' rider like myself means more to me than someone who tests bikes all day for a living.
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
|
posted April 24, 2006 06:12 PM
quote:
zermatt how is the hit when it hits the power band?? Have you rode a zx10 and if so how does the top end hit compair?
why did Mike and I bother typing out the reviews? 
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
zermatt
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted April 24, 2006 06:30 PM
Edited By: zermatt on 24 Apr 2006 19:37
Ok, lemme try to answer everyone:
havabusa12r: 30mpg on the first full tank (2 brisk commutes to and from work), 33mpg on 33mpg on second tank part-way through my Sunday ride (quite "brisk"), still on the 3rd tank.
phil / nightmare: Nope. No key, no fan. From what I've noticed, the fan will come on IF I turn the key and there are 3+ bars showing. My zzr would run the fan with the key off, but so far the 14 has not. Even with 4 bars (which is 2 bars above normal mark. there are 5 bars total - the first doesn't count 'cause it's ALWAYS on, even when cold). I don't know why Kawi didn't put a temp number on the digital display instead of that stupid bar graph. They put battery voltage there... who gives a shit about that? If your battery's dead, that's pretty damn easy to tell first-hand. I'm far more concerned about temp than I am about voltage!
zx61114: 5 bars?? I would expect the radiator cap to pop off at that point . If I got that hot on my "sunday" ride in 90F heat, I would probably just trailer the bike back to the dealer and tell him to put a heavy-duty towing transmission in place of the excuse for a radiator that Kawi supplied...
CrotchRocket: No shorts, all JR Phoenix 2.0 jacket, Phoenix pants, Alpinestars boots. Sure, all bikes give off heat - all I'm saying is that this one is definitely hotter than my ZZR ever was - at the ankle area *through boots*. I couldn't wait to get home and take my boots off... and my boots are VENTILATED at the instep and the heal. This bike may enclose the heat better than a 10R or 10R, but I've spent 4 quite hot summers on my ZZR and it never got this hot.
D: always do....
tool man: 32/33mpg here too. Not babying it either, but not going crazy either . Yes, the flat spot is there, I'm getting used to working around it. It's caught me off gaurd a few times in traffic - my ZZR was particularly strong there. Just have to plan ahead a bit and kick it down a click or two when I'm going less than 55/60.
smokin: the power band feels GREAT so far - it's a real rush, but very smooth and controlled. I still don't think I've had it above 7,500-8.000 rpm, and even then just a few times. It pulls like STINK! I can't really compare it to a liter bike's acceleration - just don't have enough seat time on one.
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
blueford
Needs a job
Posts: 2984
|
posted April 24, 2006 06:41 PM
Keep in mind Zermatt has been humping a ZZR1200, not quite the babe a 12 is!
|
zermatt
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted April 24, 2006 06:49 PM
True - this bike kicks my ZZR's ass all over the place. It's not even a fair comparison
Someone else will have to handle the 12R/10R comparisons... but it seems like fish and madmike have already answered that to a good degree in their reviews. I'm sure plenty more will weigh in soon enough...
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
Tool Man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
|
posted April 24, 2006 08:11 PM
Thanks Zermatt: Ya the heat issue may be a problem here in Phoenix. Will wait and see. 32 mpg avg since new 320 mi so far so you got me beat there. Saw 35mpg at 100 mph on the way to work I can live with that for a high speed tour. Really like the ergos. Fit me well
My Zrx was also very strong down low around town this bike SCREAMS for the open highway and big wide radius sweepers. It will be a very fun trip bike. 
____________
The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
|
zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted April 25, 2006 04:53 AM
My average on this 3rd tank says 32.9mpg so far. I've got about 520 miles after riding to work this morning
The trip/mileage computer has been surprisingly accurate so far. Both times that I've calculated mileage, it's agreed with the computer. This is the first vehicle that I've owned with a mileage computer that's that accurate. My Durango was pretty close most of the time, but it was usually off by 1-1.5mpg. Unfortunately, that's about 10% in a Durango with a 5.9L
Tool Man - Does your brake light come on as soon as you pull the front brake lever? Mine does not. I have to pull it a fair amount before the light comes on, but that's a LOT of braking. Most of my commuting never involves braking that hard - so my brake light would never come. I swapped bikes with my brother for about 15 miles the other day and the whole time I was following him, the light never lit either... kinda scary because the front brakes grab immediately... and with no light. I've been using the rear brake too just to be sure I get a light so nobody runs me over. I looked briefly at the switch on the lever, but couldn't tell if it's adjustable right away. I'll probably dig deeper into that tonight.
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC