zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 04, 2006 04:38 AM
History starts for me and the 14
Just got a call from my salesperson. Not only is my 14 in, but it's blue. I did not want to make a choice of Red or nothing. I also got a call from a second dealer saying they also have a blue one (Mt. Dora). Keep in mind I'm not the type of person who buys new bikes very often, ok well every 4 years, so this to me is better than Christmas day. With the VFR in the 83,500 mile range I'm thinking she ready for a long deserved break. Could someone walk me through the posting of pictures? I appreciate in advance. Oh Boy Oh Boy I can't wait.
Rob
  
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted May 04, 2006 05:06 AM
 Edited By: zerMATT on 4 May 2006 06:07
Post pictures - Open up an account at a place like Photobucket.com. They are easy to upload, and they give you the entire link that you need to post each photo in this forum once they have been uploaded (starts with [ img ]), so it's really easy.
Just a note though. If your camera takes large high-res pictures (3 megapixel or above), you should down-size the pics to something like 800x600, then save them as 72 or 96 dpi before uploading them to photobucket. Your camera should have come with software that can do that, or you could use something like Photoshop. This will reduce your upload time to photobucket, and it will make these forum pages load quicker for everyone reading them.
Congrats on the bike! I wish my first option had been blue, but the red is beautiful anyway 
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted May 04, 2006 05:43 AM
Once you post the pictures on the hosting site, you need to add a link to them which you can see by example at: http://www.bikeland.org/board/faq.php#pix
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FYYFF!!!
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted May 04, 2006 07:33 AM
Edited By: zerMATT on 4 May 2006 08:35
fba - that's the beauty of photobucket. It already gives you the exact link to post in a forum as soon as you upload the picture... all you have to do is copy and paste the link that they provide. No messing with html, typing brackets, etc.
Looks like this:
Copy and paste that bottom IMG link and you're good to go!
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted May 04, 2006 08:14 AM
Cool! I learn somethin' new every day!
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FYYFF!!!
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 04, 2006 01:57 PM
Well here is how the deal went, 12539 was the otd price without centerstand. Then I had to consider adding 300 into the price for the stand and handle. What the hell supply and demand and that's the way it goes. Then for 400 dollars I added the tire insurance for this bike. Do you know how many tires I've replaced due to nails vs normal life expiring? Lets see 4 nails 1 normal wear, odds are in my favor with that deal. Total came out to about 13200 for everything. I suspect some will give me the business here but I blinked.
Getting home: Well having a truck I figured just put her on the back & take her home right...Well being 153 lbs moving a 500 lb bike well not a good idea to do alone and that will never happen again. As I got her on the ramp the kickstand got stuck in the grove of the ramp. I should have had that thing up but I was playing it safe. OK the bike wants to go down kick stand stuck and I'm baking in the sun. SOOOO carefully I lean the bike as far away from me as I can without losing it, the kickstand pulls out of the hole I kick the thing up jump on the bike at boom it's down off the ramp. Man talk about shaking like a leaf in a hurricane. That won't happen again for sure. I've ridden it around the hood adding about 2 miles on it but tonight Jacksonville then maybe Lake City and Home. More reports to come Friday.
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 04, 2006 02:03 PM
quote:
Well here is how the deal went, 12539 was the otd price without centerstand. Then I had to consider adding 300 into the price for the stand and handle. What the hell supply and demand and that's the way it goes. Then for 400 dollars I added the tire insurance for this bike. Do you know how many tires I've replaced due to nails vs normal life expiring? Lets see 4 nails 1 normal wear, odds are in my favor with that deal. Total came out to about 13200 for everything. I suspect some will give me the business here but I blinked.
Getting home: Well having a truck I figured just put her on the back & take her home right...Well being 153 lbs moving a 500 lb bike well not a good idea to do alone and that will never happen again. As I got her on the ramp the kickstand got stuck in the grove of the ramp. I should have had that thing up but I was playing it safe. OK the bike wants to go down kick stand stuck and I'm baking in the sun. SOOOO carefully I lean the bike as far away from me as I can without losing it, the kickstand pulls out of the hole I kick the thing up jump on the bike at boom it's down off the ramp. Man talk about shaking like a leaf in a hurricane. That won't happen again for sure. I've ridden it around the hood adding about 2 miles on it but tonight Jacksonville then maybe Lake City and Home. More reports to come Friday.
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 04, 2006 02:05 PM
Sorry bout the double post first time posting a picture
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 04, 2006 08:06 PM
Edited By: zx61114 on 4 May 2006 21:07
Just got home...Wow what a ride. Drop the clutch and your doing 14 MPH. I did avg 40 MPG the first time out, but keep in mind every 4 miles I'd drop 2 gears then pop up one more then 6th again for 3-4 miles. Here are some questions I'd like answered.
1st when you turn on the key what is that neat sound that appears to come from the plastic area near the gas tank?
2nd do we really have to replace the spark plugs every 7,500 miles?
3. Where can I get a shop manual on line?
4. Nerd boy has the Fuel gauge down
6bars to 5 = 65 miles
5 to 4 = 93 miles
4 to 3 = 115miles
3 to 2 = 140 miles
2 to 1 = 169 miles
1 to LOW FUEL = 195 miles...Yes I would like to read my trips when this puppy takes over the screen but we must admit this is a pretty accurate gauge, rule of thumb no more than 20 miles from the time the low fuel signal comes on til fueling.
filled up at 201 miles with exactly 5 gallons.
5 coolant gauge worked pretty well most of the time being at 2 bars below 88 degrees 3 bars above 89 F 4 bars when in traffic. For a brief time the 14 dropped down to 1 bar after lunch.
6. I am planning to use only wd40 for chain lube (thanks guys).
As far as heat is concerned, well it is hot or very warm but different from the ZX-11. At 92F the heat was not unresonable. I thought the Daytona ride was better but this is not that bad.
Rob
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 05, 2006 05:26 AM
Edited By: zx61114 on 5 May 2006 06:43
Just a couple of notes after owning the 14 for almost 24 hours.
1st this is one very fast motorcycle. I like the way it pulls away in 1st gear almost effortless. I will give my opinion of why Kawasaki dampened the bike somewhat below 5,000 rpm. Yesterday I was running maybe 80 MPH on I-95 when a car started pulling into my lane. Just so happens I was in 4th gear about 5200 rpm I throttled up (like I would have on the VFR) and the rear tire broke away, I rolled back slightly got control but I was well passed danger at this time ;^). Could it be fresh tires or my lack of knowlege of the power of this bike??? but a less experienced person could have made this a bad situation. I would guess I cherped the tires at least 3 times going from 2nd to 3rd gear. Keep in mind this was not my intension but my 153 lbs hardly enough weight to keep that tire on the ground. The head lamps on my bike need to be adjusted up some but the hi-beams are the best I've ever had on a bike PERIOD. Hey Fish or FBA do you know if Kawasaki put any additives in the oil, I ask because the 14 came with the oil filled? I was hoping to do the 600 mile oil change Tuesday or Wed (should have over 600 miles by then). The tech says that he did not expect to have the filter in by then, so is there a cross reference? Worst case I'll drop the oil and use the filter another 6000 miles although I'd rather not. OH yea the shop guy did says almost 70% of the new bike filters are destroyed when removed so I'm prepaired for that. The sound coming from under the plastic part of out tank is a concern but the wife says it's most likely a sensor that's reset when the key is turned. Finally the auto enricher is the weirdest I've ever owned, I mean dropping 2-500 rpms in like 2 seconds, my Honda slows the engine idle more gradual.
Rob
PS best part of owning the ZX-14 is having guys on ZX-9's say, "I didn't know any of those Fucking bikes were here...???" Smiling as I left her in 2nd gear getting to the posted speed limt of 50 fast....real fast.
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted May 05, 2006 06:00 AM
Rob - I think that noise you are hearing is the fuel pump pressurizing the system for startup. Could be wrong though... just a guess.
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 05, 2006 07:10 AM
quote:
Rob - I think that noise you are hearing is the fuel pump pressurizing the system for startup. Could be wrong though... just a guess.
No I'm aware of the fuel pump pressurizing. It sounds like a bug getting zapped one of those electric lamps. If you were to turn on your bike without the fuel pump do you hear anything other than the speedo-doing a dance? Thanks in advance
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ZX11D
Zone Head
Internet Police
Posts: 674
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posted May 05, 2006 07:17 AM
Great reporting Zx61114. Enjoy your 14! 
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 05, 2006 06:32 PM
Day 2,
Well today I discovered a couple things. My clutch makes a slight noise when hot. Not a big deal but I was thinking it was the valves at first. Rear brake is pretty much as I remember it "a wooden block" but it does seem to be improving. Going to work the bike did warm up pretty good 93 F but resonable. Boy on the way home boy was this puppy hot!!! outside temp was 80 F. I had to keep airing my legs because it was so hot. I'm hoping like Matt said that the engine is going through some crazy break in phase. After last nights ride I noted that the engine was still warm (5 Hours later). I also wanted to mention that the speedo seems to be off slightly more than most Japanese motorcycles. I'm going with 11 to 12 percent compared to the normal 10%. Finally does anyone else have a neat electrical sound that happends when you turn your key on w/o the FI on?
Rob
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blitzkrieg
Needs a job
Road kill = Free lunch.
Posts: 2044
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posted May 05, 2006 06:48 PM
As far as the heat goes, you got two things going on:
1) If the 14 is like the 12's were, the engines are tighter than hell when new. That'll get better as it starts to greak in.
2) The factory/dealer coolant mix is really heavy on the glycol. Living in Florida you can get that out if there and replace it with distilled water and water wetter. That alone will drop the temp 12-20 degrees F. I've never used Engine Ice so I can't tell you how well it works.
Don't know about a "bug zapper" but as stated above the fuel pump and injectors pressurize when the ignition is turned on. Did you order the optional on-board pest and insect termination feature? 
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"BTW....You need to get a girlfriend who's last name isn't .jpg"
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 09, 2006 12:22 PM
After 5 days of ownership here is what's interesting about the 14.
1 People make it a point to talk to me when I go to dining ests.
2. People are following me home to look at the bike. OK this one is creepy, something about meeting strangers at your house is just weird.
3. The first shop I had the second down payment on the Blue now has a new blue 14 for sale. TO because I might have saved 500 dollars waiting 3 days. But you know what comes around goes around right?
4. This bike is getting better every mile.
Have to admit Number 2 bothers me.
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted May 09, 2006 12:33 PM
quote:
Day 2,
Well today I discovered a couple things. My clutch makes a slight noise when hot. Not a big deal but I was thinking it was the valves at first. Rear brake is pretty much as I remember it "a wooden block" but it does seem to be improving. Going to work the bike did warm up pretty good 93 F but resonable. Boy on the way home boy was this puppy hot!!! outside temp was 80 F. I had to keep airing my legs because it was so hot. I'm hoping like Matt said that the engine is going through some crazy break in phase. After last nights ride I noted that the engine was still warm (5 Hours later). I also wanted to mention that the speedo seems to be off slightly more than most Japanese motorcycles. I'm going with 11 to 12 percent compared to the normal 10%. Finally does anyone else have a neat electrical sound that happends when you turn your key on w/o the FI on?
Rob
only 72 here and on the highway, I can feel some pretty good heat hitting my ankles...neat electrical sound, yup...it's the FI system...GPS says that the speedo is off by about 9% on mine, not surprised...Clutch makes some noise when engaged...all of them do from what I can read here (clue: turn up iPOD volume when idling to stop clutch noise from hitting ears)...I think you could (with a switch) reverse the fan in traffic or while stopped; this would move the heat the other way, but you'd have to remember to flick the switch back the other way once you start moving (lousy fix) -- and yup, she runs damn hot...so maybe the GF grills are there so you can cook breakfast on her and save money by not eating in restaurants. Don't be wearing any nylon underwear...you'll have real sweaty balls if ya do..
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FYYFF!!!
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted May 09, 2006 12:47 PM
yup thatsd the fi, and I wait for the pump to pressure up, and the system to do its diagnostic before zi hit the fire button.
I was lookin around the bike in greater detail today, and noticed they did a very good job isolating th heat from the fuel cell, and made a good effort to keep the heat off the rider,
a bunch of foam pieces shoved between the motor and fairing, in an effort to romve the heat out the K cut out, rather than the rear most portion above the clutch-- good thing cause the heat comin out of there would hit you straight inside the thighs and on the nutz.
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natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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swft
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Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted May 09, 2006 12:47 PM
TMI!
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted May 09, 2006 02:39 PM
Dubious, FBA
You are correct on that FI (electrical sound) info. Went to the second shop and the guys fired up a new ZX-10 and I thought I ours made a lot of noise. Tech says just downloading information (temp elevation). I also wanted to comment that the idle RPM is just short of perfectly steady once it's warm. I do get a lot of heat on the said nutz from time to time, I'm hoping it's just a tight engine. I'm a betting man thinking less heat over time.
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