mikeodial
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted June 11, 2006 07:26 AM
ZX14 for touring?
Can any owners comment on the use of the beast for sport touring applications. I currently have a BMW K1200RS (2002) and have been considering the BMW K1200S and a couple of others as a replacement.
I do mainly back roads with some Interstate as necessary in New England.....
  
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TJ
Zone Head
Posts: 604
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posted June 11, 2006 07:44 AM
What do you want to know?
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Mano 2
Expert Class
Posts: 360
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posted June 11, 2006 07:51 AM
West Texas weekend before last. Small tank bag. Chase Harper tail bag.
1500 miles in 3 days some high 90's temps.
Bike did very well.
42-44mpg @80mph [our new speed limit]. All gas stops at 206-233miles.
Next generation lights, brakes, power, handling. Great in crosswinds also. And pretty good rain protection.
Comfortable even with full leathers.
2600 miles. Oiled chain only, no adjustment. 3-4 runs @175mph plus. 12ish practice drag race starts.
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted June 11, 2006 08:18 AM
I've had extensive experience riding the K1200S and I own a 14. The 1200S is an awesome machine and I won't take that away from it, but at nearly twice the price (here in Canada) it's not something I'll consider and here's why:
1) The 14 does everything the 1200S does, but better, including brakes - just no ABS
2) 14 has power that the 1200S will never see
2) 14 will out-handle the 1200S in a heartbeat and that's a powerful statement that I don't make lightly.
Now, the only thing you might find will be the issue of riding comfort. For some it's not an issue, but when you ride the S, it's more relaxed, upright and less stressful on the wrists. You can add clip on's to the 14 and get the bars a bit up and back, but I doubt you'll attain the same relaxed position as the S. Now this is a matter of personal taste...in fact I prefer the more aggressive position of the 14 to the S.
I have done 600-650 miles in a day on the 10R and had no issue...the longest I have done on the 14 is about 450 miles and also had no issue...I feel that a 800 mile day would be fairly easy on the 14.
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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 June 11, 2006 09:54 AM
Steve has rubber bones though ...LOL ... 650miles on 10r in one day!
I could do it maybe on an autobahn... less seat time and more speed equals less weight on the wrists.... eh Steve?
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natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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Tool Man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted June 11, 2006 10:20 AM
My longest one day record is 1,750 mi Nashville Tenn, to Phoenix Az. Coming back from Laconia NH. 28,5 hrs straight . No it was not on a 14, I was on my HD Road King . Having said that and saying that I plan to tour on the 14. I think I will keep the miles to around 650 -750 in order to make nice with my aging knees and ankles. I like to travel light a tank bag by Nelson Rigg and a older Chase harper seat bag work good for me. The wife and I plan more Bed and Breakfast overnighters.She rides an SV650. Looking at one on east side of Arizona The old Rt 666. They say it is 90 mi of twistys and sweepers Oh ya! 
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The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted June 11, 2006 03:12 PM
TM...28.5 hours on any bike is insane...you're a sick puppy dude...very sick...bad knees and all...
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FYYFF!!!
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted June 11, 2006 03:13 PM
quote:
Steve has rubber bones though ...LOL ... 650miles on 10r in one day!
I could do it maybe on an autobahn... less seat time and more speed equals less weight on the wrists.... eh Steve?
Oldy enough, the 10R with the stock seat is very comfy...I know it doesn't sound reasonable, but it really is -- for me anyway...
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FYYFF!!!
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Mano 2
Expert Class
Posts: 360
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posted June 11, 2006 07:07 PM
When I put my weight on the tank bag it takes all the weight and stress off my arms and especially my wrists.
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zx61114
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted June 11, 2006 07:26 PM
Tool man tests the 14's in 110-degree weather. Well I'll make a couple of comments on the 14's abilities over the road. I consider myself a true Touring person, it's what I do best and with limited time on the 14 all I can say is WOW.
Biggest negative would be the heat, but having said that, if you're riding over 60 mph at any temperature this motorcycle is hard to beat. Keep in mind that most bikes over 900cc get hot. Above 85 degrees F and stop and go traffic this puppy is hot.
Others complain about the power below 5K, but I like it that way (call me a puss). A majority of the people here won't ride in the rain, but as you know we have no choice. I was in the north Georgia Mountains the first time I hit a major storm. Nothing like sitting on top on 173-197 HP in the rain on a road you're not familiar. This Kaw was easy to manage and cured some of my biggest fears.
Lets talk about the throttle for a moment, I've done a 1022 mile day and several 850+ mile days and my right hand never went numb once (no cruise control needed). No kidding this bike is that smooth and I doubt BMW can say that.
Wind protection is good, but NOTE: I weigh 155 lbs, 5 foot 4 inch tall. If you're bigger than I you may want to consider a larger front fairing.
Center stand is a must and I paid 300 dollars for mine. It was installed in 3 hours; the BMW has an advantage here maybe!!! I'm not sure the BMW shaft drives are as dependable as the Japanese. I'm not knocking BMW I just don't know.
BMW gives you a screwdriver as a tool kit...No Shit, Hey if I'm dropping 17K I want a tool kit. Adjustments are going to have to be made on the road at least give me some of the tools to do the job. If you choose the Beemer see if you can get this thrown in at delivery.
Power well there is no comparison and I doubt the BMW handles as well as the 14. A good friend of mine (who owns the K1200S) took the14 for a ride around the block and said that he was surprised at how well the Kaw handled. Take from that what you want. I still own a Honda VFR and I can promise you the VFR only wishes it could handle as well as the 14 period. NOTE: the 14 may be too sensitive, and some people who tour may not like this. As we add miles we ride a bit sloppy and although the Kaw is forgiving you will have to stay a little sharper when tired.
Wave Rotors really cool the brakes. This bike has the best front brakes I've ever ridden. Rear brake will slow fine... No take that back rear brake sucks nuff said. NOTE in the rain those wave rotors maybe cool a little too well, I needed to add at least 50-100 feet to warm the rotors to spec.
Hopes this helps, as the cheap SOB that I am the Kaw wins hands down. The BMW has ABS and if the 14 offered that here I would have bought it. I believe for people who tour the ABS is safer.
Rob
ZX-14 5,815 miles
VFR 83,815 miles
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mikeodial
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted June 12, 2006 06:02 AM
Thanks for all the input. Much appreciated.
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted June 12, 2006 08:45 AM
quote:
My longest one day record is 1,750 mi Nashville Tenn, to Phoenix Az. Coming back from Laconia NH. 28,5 hrs straight . No it was not on a 14, I was on my HD Road King .
Damn I miss Laconia... I grew up 20 miles from there and would ride on the back of my dad's old Indian's/Harley's over to the festivities several times each year. I wish I was back there now... in fact, I think the rally was last weekend. One of these days... one of these days...
I went to the "Republic of Texas" rally two weekends ago. What a joke. It was their 10th Anniversary... I think this year is Laconia's 83rd...
Sorry for the hijack. 
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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 June 12, 2006 08:49 AM
Started today Matt!
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FYYFF!!!
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1393kph
Novice Class
Posts: 50
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posted June 12, 2006 09:15 AM
 Edited By: 1393kph on 12 Jun 2006 10:16
I had the choice and decided to go with the Feejer. Comfort with some sportiness. The 'S' is lighter, more powerful, but I like the weather protection (assuming that I ever actually get to ride in the rain - right FBA?).
Actually it was FBA who pushed me to get the FJR - coulda bought anything, but really couldn't see myself planting the extra $$$ that the Bavarians wanted for their machine. I just couldn't rationaise the extra 40-45%.
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