Frankie
Parking Attendant
Posts: 19
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posted September 24, 2006 10:27 AM
First Ride!
Just took my black beauty home from the dealer on Friday evening. Didn't get to ride it yestarday due to work. So I got up early to go for a morning "first ride" before work today. Seemed like the sun would never come up. 7:30am I dawn the leathers and head out. There's a 40 mile circle I ride once in a while for a short ride. I took that because it has long straights, country twisties, town roads and freeway. A little of everything. I know people buy a 14 for different reasons, I chose it as a sport-touring bike. All I can say after my first ride is - "touchdown". What an amazing machine. I am totally thrilled with it. It's so darn comfortable. The motor is amazing. The suspension right from the dealer seems to be perfect for me. I can't say enough good things about it. What a bike.
  
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted September 24, 2006 11:10 AM
Once the susp loosens up, you might find it a little soft....
10k on mine now and it is going to get valved, and resprung.... it needs it.
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Frankie
Parking Attendant
Posts: 19
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posted September 24, 2006 11:43 AM
Thanks!
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raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted September 24, 2006 12:12 PM
Hi Frankie. Welcome to 14 ownership. I've been riding for a long time, and the 14 is the best bike I've owned. Here's my 2 cents on the 14. You'll probably find a lot of differences of opinion so you can take what you like and ignore the rest.
1. If you haven't noticed it yet, the stock bike is fairly neutered below 5K-6K rpm. Above 6K rpm you get a step function in power delivery and you had to hang on for dear life. Power delivery was pretty non-linear. It didn't bother me much at first because I'm coming from the high strung liter bike crowd. In particular, I've been riding Yamaha's, which have no low end and don't get going until the motor is spun up. But I bought the 14 to have some low end power and it felt like one of my liter bikes. Over time I became quite dis-satisfied with the low end. Read through the threads on this site and others and you will find two ways to cure this low end power deficit: (1) use a TRE or (2) pull the secondary flies in the fuel injectors. I've tried both and I recommend pulling the flies. However, I believe that with either option, you will need a Power Commander to remap the fuel delivery. The low end really perks up and power delivery with either a TRE or pulled flies is very linear. Pulling the flies provides a slight improvement relative to the TRE and you keep your gear indicator. The TRE or fly removal with the addition of a PC and appropriate map is kinda the minimum mod for the bike. All of this can be done for less than $300.
2. The bike tends to run hot. Adding the Power Commander (PC) to richen the air/fuel has helped other bikes that I've owned. My experience on the 14 is clouded in that I also changed the exhaust system to an aftermarket 4+2+1 from Brock's Performance Products. That got rid of the catalytic converters, reduced the bike weight about 30 pounds, and made it sound like a bad ass machine. Big performance improvement also. All I know is that with the new exhaust and PC my bike runs much cooler. I don't know what contributed what amount though. A lot of people like the twin exhaust look so they have either kept the stock pipes or added slip-ons. Perhaps there is some info around as to how much the PC reduced running temps. Kawasaki has stated to various magazines that the temp gauge is not calibrated correctly and is overly sensitive. So, with a fully stock bike don't be surprised to see some pretty high temp levels.
3. Dubious is correct. The suspension does loosen up. I found it to be a little soft for the twisty part of my rides, particularly the rear. I changed primarily the preload. Kawi didn't supply a C-spanner wrench but I had one available.
4. There is a lot of good info on this site for any projected modifications that you might consider, as well as info from those who have kept their bikes relatively stock. Either way, I think the majority love the 14. It has a ton of power, it's quick, it's fast, it handles well for a big bike, it's comfortable for the long rides, and so on and so on. Kawi did a good thing bringing this bike to us. I think you're gonna love it, regardless of whether you mod it or keep it stock. It has got raves from all the U.S. and European bike mags (I have them all) and I love the thing.
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tslewisz
Expert Class
Posts: 328
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posted September 24, 2006 12:23 PM
Welcome, Frankie. raptor is absolutely right, except in my case I found the front to be too soft, especially since the front brakes are so friggin' amazing!
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Frankie
Parking Attendant
Posts: 19
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posted September 24, 2006 01:48 PM
Thanks guys. I really appreicate your input. As you can tell by my avatar pic I too have a liter bike background and am used to running with modified exhust and PC's. Not sure what I'll do with this bike yet, if anything. But your input is super appreciated. I think I'll just go with the slip-on's and a PC, not sure what slips would be best. I'm sure I'll get some varied opinions on that too!
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raptor14
Expert Class
Posts: 264
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posted September 24, 2006 03:11 PM
You won't believe how heavy those stock cans and headers are compared to the aftermarket systems. Like I said above, I lost around 30 pounds of dead weight by going to Brock''s Gen 3 StreetSmart. I really like the performance, weight reduction, and looks of this system. The only negative is that it's a little on the loud side. It can get annoying on a long ride. I always wear ear plugs now. Mostly to mute the exhaust noise, but also to get rid of the small amount of wind noise in my helmet. Going to slip-ons probably won't net you the same performance benefit and certainly won't get you all the weight benefit, although it will reduce weight quite a bit. A 4-2-1 system is usually better for mid-range power as it can take better advantage of the pressure pulses and scavenge the flow better. The only other benefit relative to the dual system is that you have improved access to the chain if you happen to be anal (like me) about lubing the chain. The optional centerstand, or a rear stand, helps chain maintenance and tire changing too. I have the Pit Bull forward handle rear stand, which is quite easy to use on this bike.
Here's the link on info for removing the fairings and installing an exhaust and PC if you are interested:
http://members.cox.net/allengeo/ZX-14/Installation_Instructions.pdf
More PC installation instructions:
http://www.zx14.net/publicforum/index.php?PHPSESSID=b498ce7815ebe25f5431c74e7d29aedc&topic=852.0
For fly removal with step-by-step instructions and pictures:
http://www.zx14.net/publicforum/index.php?PHPSESSID=b498ce7815ebe25f5431c74e7d29aedc&topic=1048.0
Picture of the Pit Bull Forward Handle Rear Stand:
http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=27&TID=25642&set_time=
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted September 24, 2006 05:55 PM
another benifit to removing the dual cans is the helmet lock is positioned directly above the left pipe. Helmet touching a hot exhaust can is not good--the stock cans stay pretty damn hot for awhile.
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted September 24, 2006 05:57 PM
FYI---16t on the front, fly removal and a good quality single sided exhaust(Brock Gen3 w/ Carbon) and a PC. I think this bike is just about perfect now. I'm also coming from a 12R.
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QWICKR
Novice Class
Posts: 98
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posted September 24, 2006 06:22 PM
Frankie, if you're looking for slip-on's check out the Area P 15" 2.25" cores in polished stainless steel. My wife has them on her 14 and loves them. Definitely quality pipes with great sound at a fantastic price. Also added a PC with the map from Area P to fine tune performance.
____________
YES... Her ZX-14 !!!
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted September 24, 2006 06:23 PM
yup 16 tooth, speedo healer, fly's out and either brocks or ti force exhaust.
if your into straight lining it, lowering it 1.5 inches front and rear will really make it less wheelie prone and still streetable 
... the way I would go .... AGAIN! 
totally different animal once you uncork it!
you will be pleasantly surprised
unleash the beast within.
The stock exhaust and secondaries gotta go...
truly the way the " enthusiasts" at kawi intended it... before the lawyers and smog people got their hands on the bike...
Enjoy the fact you now own the quickest production machine ever built yet!
welcome to the best zx14 website too btw!
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