butterthegreat
Expert Class
Posts: 329
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posted September 15, 2006 09:34 AM
ZX-14 Maintanence Questions
I have been trolling these boards for the last 6 weeks. I finally decided to join up because I have a few questions. I plan on purchasing a ZX-14 when I get my debt erased (within the next 6 months). I have ALWAYS wanted a ZX-12....but one is harder to obtain than a 14 since it is no longer made...but I will own a 12 one day.
I decided I wanted to use the bike for commuting to work 2-3 days a week and for some weekend canyon carving/cruising. It is 77 miles one way to work.
I have tried trolling through these boards and countless amount of posts on this board and the zx-12 boards.....but I am VERY stoked to read that there are quite a few from So Cal (since I live here) that I would love to ride with and meet....anyway...
My questions are:
What is the best life expectancy I can achieve out of any given tire (an average would suffice with an average rider)?
What prices am I looking at for oil changes (to do them myself)? I plan to do them every 2.5k
What average life expectancy can be had out of the chain? Cost?
Any other common maintainence tasks that must be done? Intervals? Cost?
Thanks for any assistance.
  
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted September 15, 2006 09:40 AM
quote:
What is the best life expectancy I can achieve out of any given tire (an average would suffice with an average rider)?
What prices am I looking at for oil changes (to do them myself)? I plan to do them every 2.5k
What average life expectancy can be had out of the chain? Cost?
Any other common maintainence tasks that must be done? Intervals? Cost?
1. Most peeps are averaging 2500 to 3000 miles. HiMile gets much more, FBA gets much less.
2. Oil filter and change is very easy, costs include filter (factory $12, aftermarket $8) and five (4.3 for oil change and filter) quarts of oil. Price of oil goes anywhere from $8 to over $15, depending on what you buy.
3. Chain will settle in during the first 1500 miles. Depends on how you ride the bike after that. But the chain should last 12K miles easy.
4. Cleaning the crap outta your pants when you whack the throttle! 
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted September 15, 2006 09:47 AM
Tires...3-5000 miles just commuting
Oil change...depends on the oil used and filter used...For me, $10 oem filter and $24 redline synthetic oil...
Chain...Lube every 500 miles...You should change the chain when you change the sprockets...Sprocket wear depends on how hard you ride...OEM sprockets life just commuting - at least 10,000 miles...
Other maintainence...check the book that comes with it...
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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butterthegreat
Expert Class
Posts: 329
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posted September 16, 2006 02:52 PM
Great info....Any others?
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted September 16, 2006 03:34 PM
Are you asking because you are debating on whether to buy a 14 or not?
Maintanance is similar for any bike you are going to buy.
I can't figure out what maintanance has to do with owning any bike.
Own anything you have to do maintanance.
Cruzing 77 miles to work on a 14 would be pretty fun ande get you there fast and in comfort.
If you buy a 14, buy it for its smoothness, confort, power, looks, dependibility or maybe to own one of the fastest bikes ever made!
Any bike is going to cost you maintanance costs.
If you want the best, be willing to enjoy doing the maintanance on it at any cost!
Just my 
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If I'm not riding her, I'm dreaming about riding her! Mount up!
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HiMile14
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Posts: 424
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posted September 16, 2006 04:01 PM
Butter,
Keep in mind that I ride my bike like it were my car. I tour and really ride like a puss for the most part, although every once in a while I do like having my arms ripped out of their sockets plus this keeps the plugs from fouling.
1. Tires, I lost my rear tire to a cut at 11,000 miles. Front tire is still doing fine although it's clear that the flat center is messing with the handling. I will attempt to get 15-20K out of the front but then I will replace both. $175 for rear tire installed.
2. Oil changes: Well I use Ams-oil and although some will disagree I will put between 5-6,000 miles between oil changing. I tried going 7,500 miles as suggested in the manual but I noticed a major change in cooling as the miles were added. Winter may be different but 6,000 is all I've been able to achieve. $8 a qt = $32 plus $8 for filter
3 Chain: Well history for me was between 24-30,000 on the VFR, I suspect nothing will change on the ZX-14, if anything I'll do better. As God is my witness I still have not adjusted the chain yet, although It will need to be done soon. Here is a key to Chian life, after you lube it wipe the overspray off. 310 dollars a pop pays to do a little prevention. Plus I have a Center Stand so no excuses for me.
4. Air filter I'll replace about 24,000 miles. I'll buy a K&N filter so I can reuse. about 50 dollars
5. Spark Plugs say 7.5K but mark my words I'm going to attempt to make mine work til 32K. The Yamaha R1 uses the same plug as the ZX-14 and for what ever reason they are like 15 dollars. Kawasaki charges like $32-40.
6. Flushing the Brakes & Clutch (bleeding) every 6 months or 10K about 5 dollars.
7. Brake pads: History has been about 24,000 miles remember I travel a lot so this may not be a good mile number. Cost? But be ready with the $, 3 pads each side I've heard.
8. 15,000 mile Valve check I've been told 370 dollars.
9. Fork Oil: Every 10,000 miles Yes I'm overdue I'll do it at 15,000 miles. about 25 dollars.
10. Front sprocket will be replaced when I change the chain. 20 dollars
Hope this helps I know a little too much information, but you asked.
himile aka Rob
ZX-14 12,701 miles
2002 VFR800 85,047 miles
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butterthegreat
Expert Class
Posts: 329
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posted September 17, 2006 05:39 PM
quote:
Are you asking because you are debating on whether to buy a 14 or not?
Maintanance is similar for any bike you are going to buy.
I am gonna get a zx-14 reguardless....maintainence costs would just help me decide if I was gonna get an additional bike JUST for commuting....At this point I think I will just get an additional Ninja 250....but the people @ kawi said that a 250 is not safe on the highway....*ponders*
Thanks for the info highmile....that's EXACTLY what I was looking for....very nice details.
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted September 17, 2006 05:53 PM
Forgot one item, 11. Coolant should be changed out every 24,000 miles or 2 years. I've had pretty good luck with flushing the system with water first then adding the new coolant. Cost about 20-30 dollars.
Rob
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted September 17, 2006 06:30 PM
Why would a ninja 250 not be safe on the highway? I bought my wife one a couple months back and have rode it to work a few times, 35 miles round trip all highway, I'm 216 in shorts and had no trouble doing 75 in a 55.
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butterthegreat
Expert Class
Posts: 329
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posted September 17, 2006 09:03 PM
quote:
Why would a ninja 250 not be safe on the highway? I bought my wife one a couple months back and have rode it to work a few times, 35 miles round trip all highway, I'm 216 in shorts and had no trouble doing 75 in a 55.
I don't know....the chick that I was talking to said it was because it was too light...and I told her it's only 80 lbs lighter than a 500 or even a zx-10 and she gave me a puzzled look. So I think she doesn't really know. I am 300 fully clothed...LOL...
Thank once again highmile.
One more question....according to the bikeland.org review of the 14 they said it can do 50 mpg highway in 6th gear @ 75mph....is that accurate?
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted September 17, 2006 09:12 PM
about 45 mpg at 75 constant, no playing.
I have averaged around 35 mpg at 100 mph, playing with it too.
US gallons that is...
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted September 18, 2006 08:19 AM
I almost forgot one thing, what is your riding experience?
reason I ask are statements like this:
I am gonna get a zx-14 reguardless....
At this point I think I will just get an additional Ninja 250....but the people @ kawi said that a 250 is not safe on the highway....*ponders*
If you are even thinking about a 250 I am wondering why. Gas prices are not that critical, I get almost 200 miles on a tank cruising.
So smaller bike for commuting and the 14 would be stored in garage, to use on weekends?
If you don't know how to ride maybe your first bike should be smaller. I still wouldn't ride a 250 at your weight even if gas was $5 a gallon. No power, getting it up to 70 mph doesnt tell the story of how long it took to get there.
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If I'm not riding her, I'm dreaming about riding her! Mount up!
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butterthegreat
Expert Class
Posts: 329
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posted September 18, 2006 08:56 AM
quote:
I almost forgot one thing, what is your riding experience?
I learned on a CBR1000. I have my license and 4 years of riding experience under my belt. It may not be much, but I understand how to ride and have taken 3 different safety courses.
Gas prices DO hurt. I drive on average of 1500 miles a week for work and a few personal things. The 250 (or equivalent) will be used to take the majority of the commuting and bring out the 14 for around town and weekend cruises.
I pay 30 bucks in gas every other day in my civic. With the bike (the 250 or equivalent) I would be paying 15-20 bucks every other day. I would feel my pocket getting heavier from the savings within a month.
So you are saying maybe a 500r instead?
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WARBIRD
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted September 18, 2006 10:19 AM
quote:
Why would a ninja 250 not be safe on the highway? I bought my wife one a couple months back and have rode it to work a few times, 35 miles round trip all highway, I'm 216 in shorts and had no trouble doing 75 in a 55.
Heh heh...........   .............
.
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I'd Rather Be Roadracing.
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