Table Bully
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted January 03, 2007 08:38 PM
Need Expert Input
I joined zx-14.com back in October and have followed the forum religiously since that time. Because of all your positive and insightful comments and reviews about this incredible bike, I finally gave in to the "disease" and purchased one last week here in "Sin City", Las Vegas. I haven't owned a bike in a long, long time but couldn't give in to temptation of this beauty. I was a very strong rider in the old days both at the strip and in the canyons (owned a Honda CB 750, Honda, CBX six cylinder and Suzuki GSX-1100) but I'm 55 years old now and the reflexes and equilibrium aren't what they used to be. Although, I must say the "need for speed" never dies once you are afflicted.
The one gripe I have about the ZX-14 is the transmission. Mine is extremely "clunky" and takes a ton of effort to change gears. I've had more missed shifts in my first 250 miles than I did in 50,000 miles on my old bikes. Have any of you had this same problem or do I need to adjust my technique or take my red beauty back to the dealership for some adjustments? Your comments and input are certainly appreciated and all the best to you in the new year!
  
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted January 03, 2007 08:57 PM
The shifts will get better quickly, especially after one or two oil changes. Switching over to synthetic (motorcycle-specific synthetic is best) will also help.
Enjoy the bike, it only gets better!
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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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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted January 03, 2007 09:01 PM
quote:
The shifts will get better quickly, especially after one or two oil changes. Switching over to synthetic (motorcycle-specific synthetic is best) will also help.
Enjoy the bike, it only gets better!
+1
This bike shifts better than my GSXR750 and ZX9R ever dreamed of shifting. Of course it had to go through breakin and such before it loosened up.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted January 03, 2007 09:36 PM
and if it doesent get any better you can adjust your shifter a notch, and it will give you about another 1/8" or so on your foot...
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted January 03, 2007 09:37 PM
quote:
and if it doesent get any better you can adjust your shifter a notch, and it will give you about another 1/8" or so on your foot...
Oh yeah, I forgot about that! I did that mod about a month after getting my bike. That helped A LOT!
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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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Tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted January 03, 2007 09:51 PM
Mine was a little stiff when new. 8500 mi now shifts like butter. It took less than 1000 mi to get there.
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The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
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BlackMagic14
Needs a job
Posts: 2058
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posted January 03, 2007 10:25 PM
I agree mine was a little loud when new Smooth as silk now
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phytrax
Zone Head
Posts: 526
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posted January 03, 2007 10:38 PM
After 6,000 miles I still miss shifts some times but it's just from lazy shifting, not pushing the lever far enough. It never takes much force to shift.
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Concourse14- Corbin Seat, Candy Apple Red Paint, Area P Slip-On
RIP+ZX-14- Brock's Gen3, Heli Risers, Corbin Bags, Corbin Seat and Oval Backrest (Burgandy Snakeskin and black alligator), Muzzys Frame Sliders, flies out, 18t front sprocket, PC3, Puig Double Bubble, Pirelli Diablo Strada's
KX450F - kickstand
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fas550
Novice Class
Posts: 75
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posted January 04, 2007 04:44 AM
I am in a similar situation as you although I am in my 40s. I too felt the shifter a little tricky initially but I noticed it is further back than anything I have been used to before. This is probably due to the sportbike design. Anyway when I ride the second day I got better and so forth. I wore motorcycle riding boots on the first day which only added to the difficulty as I could barely feel anything from the top of the boot. When I wear regular shoes things are significantly smoother.
just my .02
Frank
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted January 04, 2007 06:19 AM
I still miss gears in the big alpinestar racing boots when I'm torturing it too
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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MasterBlaster
Expert Class
Posts: 297
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posted January 04, 2007 07:38 AM
Dont feel too bad about the age thing, I am 67 and having a ball with mine. Try the no clutch up shifting, it slips in slick. Like above Synthetic oil will help also. Give it a little time and relax, the shifting will improve and you will develope a feel for it......TB
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Nelson Taylor
Zone Head
Posts: 927
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posted January 04, 2007 08:51 AM
Mines only loud and clunky going into 1st from neutral. Shifting while riding is smooth.
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Tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted January 04, 2007 09:48 AM
quote:
Mines only loud and clunky going into 1st from neutral. Shifting while riding is smooth.
Mine too, normal i think. Going to Mobil 1 helped too 
____________
The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted January 04, 2007 09:55 AM
it will get better, mine improved greatly after the first oil change
this bike has some big tranny gears
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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Table Bully
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted January 04, 2007 06:45 PM
Thanks for all your great replies, you speed freaks you. I talked to two Kawasaki mechanics today and they also backed up what you said about the shifting problem getting better after it breaks in and I do some oil changes. WIth that said, they both agreed that a bike with a shifting problem as severe as mine will certainly have to have the "clutch pushrod" adjusted. Wish me luck.
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Nixter
Expert Class
Posts: 152
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posted January 04, 2007 08:02 PM
I would try rotating the shift lever down 1 notch as suggested above before getting too concerned. On my R1 I used to mis shift a lot and realized it was because I was used to riding with my bulky steel toe workboots. When I had my alpinestars on, it was enough of a difference for me not to fully engage sometimes. Moving the lever down slightly made me get apositive shift every time.
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2012 ZX14R - Black
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted January 04, 2007 10:22 PM
quote:
I would try rotating the shift lever down 1 notch as suggested above before getting too concerned. On my R1 I used to mis shift a lot and realized it was because I was used to riding with my bulky steel toe workboots. When I had my alpinestars on, it was enough of a difference for me not to fully engage sometimes. Moving the lever down slightly made me get apositive shift every time.
I was just talking to a guy tonight about how I sometimes miss gears with my alpinestars boots on.
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted January 04, 2007 10:31 PM
ditto on the above comments.... adjust the shift lever to give yourself some more positive shifting input and break the bike in.... give it til 1500 - 2K miles... it'll shift wonderfully by then... bike's engine is extremely "tight" ... needs the full break in period.
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted January 05, 2007 05:10 AM
Agree all the above advice.
It can also depend on what you last rode and what you were expecting when you bought a new bike. I was running a GSX-R1000K5 before the Kawasaki and the Suzuki box is among the sweetest shifting ever made. I thought I had forgotten how to change gear for the first few hundred miles on my ZX-14, especially when changing at low running-in rpm. I had to slow my action down to avoid the "clunk". It took a while for me to synchronise properly with the new box and I guess it was loosening up at the same time. Now, at 2000 miles, it's perfect.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted January 05, 2007 06:09 AM
quote:
ditto on the above comments.... adjust the shift lever to give yourself some more positive shifting input and break the bike in.... give it til 1500 - 2K miles... it'll shift wonderfully by then... bike's engine is extremely "tight" ... needs the full break in period.
+1 After 1000 miles on mine i thought someone switched bikes on me ....
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Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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phytrax
Zone Head
Posts: 526
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posted January 05, 2007 06:34 AM
Mine is the most clunky going from neutral to first. I get a pretty hard "Clak, Clak, Clak, BAM" if I don't shift it firmly enough. Otherwise I just get the BAM!
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Concourse14- Corbin Seat, Candy Apple Red Paint, Area P Slip-On
RIP+ZX-14- Brock's Gen3, Heli Risers, Corbin Bags, Corbin Seat and Oval Backrest (Burgandy Snakeskin and black alligator), Muzzys Frame Sliders, flies out, 18t front sprocket, PC3, Puig Double Bubble, Pirelli Diablo Strada's
KX450F - kickstand
>>> MySpace --CLICK-- <<<
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted January 05, 2007 07:38 PM
It's interesting how quickly the tranny improves, but let me tell you that' is NOTHING compared to how the engine will improve after say 10,000 miles. Wow
Rob
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Table Bully
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted January 06, 2007 10:27 AM
Gentlemen, alright I'll take your advice and rotate the shift lever down a notch and let the bike break in. Thanks for all the great input!
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted January 06, 2007 10:45 AM
1000 miles and switching to mobil1 syn, made a world of difference.
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