HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted March 30, 2007 05:35 PM
Goldwing ZX-14
Hi all,
Been a while, I started a new job 80 miles from home and well my ride of choice is the ZX-14. Glad I kept the VFR which is ridden 2 days a week but the ZX gets the other 4 days which figures to about 700 miles a week. I figure if there is a weakness with the ZX I'm about to find it.
Here is information for the nerds like me with too much time on their hands. Riding 164 miles most of which is hwy at 75-80 MPH (per GPS) the ZX pulls about 41.5 mpg with 87 oct and 43 with 93 oct. The chain can go 2 days without lube but I think in the dusty conditions where I work I'm going to continue with lubing her every day. WD40 does seem to be doing a very good job keeping the chain looking like new and normally (at 20,000 miles) I hear the gaskets starting to wear and I hear nothing. I still think the valves may be a bit out of spec but the oil change last week did make a difference , seems the tapping is considerably more quiet than before the oil and filter change.
Maybe I'm a bit touched for taking a job 82 miles away from home but I really enjoy the ride, most of which is hwy very little city. I suspect the ZX is going to end the year between 40 - 50,000 miles. Any problems I will report back.
Robert
ZX 20,969 miles
VFR 88,655 miles
  
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted March 30, 2007 05:40 PM
 Edited By: worm~hole on 30 Mar 2007 18:41
...good job  ...kinda' like when I was single and rode my 12R at least a hunderd miles a day (or night) just for the hell of it after I got my Corbin seat  ...keep us posted!
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nightmare
Pro
ACP Racing
Posts: 1797
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posted March 30, 2007 07:49 PM
I see that corbin must have played a big part in those miles!
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2006 ZX14 Ninja "SWINE FLU"
60ft 1.23
8th Mile 5.16
ACP Racing
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 30, 2007 07:52 PM
wow, thanks for the hi-mileage update~
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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countersteer
Needs a job
Didn't read the owners manual
Posts: 2207
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posted March 30, 2007 08:18 PM
i get 27.3 mpg, 93 oct... hmm...
hey wormie, what kinda mile-per-gallon are you getting on your zx-14?
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Scott
Long Island, New York
2006 ZX-14, 2003 ZX-12R
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted March 30, 2007 08:57 PM
Edited By: worm~hole on 30 Mar 2007 21:58
....at least 60mpg@100mph+....trailbraking into a headwind....in my dreams, of course....I don;t have a 14, "just" a 12R  ....I'm waiting or a good used deal...
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blackbullet76
Pro
Posts: 1134
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posted March 31, 2007 05:19 AM
About 32-36 mpg here
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2007 ZX-14 black
Brocks s-meg exhaust
PCIII w/track map
BMC race filter
Flies removed
16 tooth front sprocket
Speedohealer
APE cam chain tensioner
Vortex rearsets
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 31, 2007 05:47 AM
Does it make a difference if you switch back and forth from 89 and 93 octanes? I heard rumors that you should not give your bike 93 octane as a "treat" because it can mess things up for an 89 octane prepared tank? Is that a bunch of horse dookie, or what?
Great post Himile, thanks! Very informative. Remember to keep us posted, okay? I plan to do a lot of distance riding myself (at least around Florida), so this stuff is especially useful to me.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 31, 2007 06:51 AM
Edited By: stevewfl on 31 Mar 2007 07:51
30-31 MPG on mine - if I'm babying it knowing I'm checking mileage.
This might make a good poll - ZX14 MPG ranges.
My 600RR track bike gets horrible MPG, its gets around 20-25 laps to a tank, but that sumbeech is wound up at redline no matter which gear its in the most way 
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 31, 2007 06:52 AM
quote:
30-31 MPG on mine - if I'm babying it knowing I'm checking mileage. This might make a good poll - ZX14 MPG ranges.
My 600RR track bike gets horrible MPG, its gets around 20-25 laps to a tank, but that sumbeech is wound up at redline no matter which gear its in the most way
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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phytrax
Zone Head
Posts: 526
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posted March 31, 2007 08:33 AM
Wow, 43mpg? I have a lot of trouble getting 38-40 if I'm really babying it, but I'm sure my Corbin bags add some drag. I thought you should get more MPG from lower octane though?? Normal riding I get around 35mpg, which is switching gears from 3rd-6th a lot on the highways.
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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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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted March 31, 2007 08:50 AM
I only get in the 30-32 range most of the time, which is a bit less than my Busa was and way less than my 10R, but I don't expect more than that on a big, heavy 14. More HP=more fuel consumption in any case. I also crack the throttle hard in every gear 99% of the time. 60 MPH is something I've only heard about through other people; I usually cruise at 90+ on a slow day. I'm betting that a 160LB rider who obeys traffic laws more than 90% of the time will see 40+MPG easily, but that's not me now nor will it ever be.
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FYYFF!!!
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 31, 2007 10:27 AM
people speed on their ZX14's!?
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted March 31, 2007 10:41 AM
quote:
people speed on their ZX14's!?
HA HA HA! Fuck yeah, dude!
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted March 31, 2007 02:52 PM
WOW I did not really think this topic would take off, Although I can't say it any better than Ninja Knight. I also ride in Florida, Orlando to Lakeland every morning at 4 AM and home again at 2 PM. The ride is mostly I-4 but guys to me riding an hour on the ZX or even the VFR is just very relaxing. Watching your speed can sometimes be a problem but I'm getting the feel of the bike, there is a hint of engine vibration as mine approaches 90 MPH. Keep in mind I weigh 155 lbs and I'm 5'4" tall, which means my body is not pushing a lot of wind. You know when we get a south wind in the afternoon that can bump my MPG close to 44. I'll play with the mid grade fuel this week and report back.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 31, 2007 03:02 PM
Himile there's several of us with 14's over here on the gulf coast of FL. Let us know when you're going to put an extra 60 miles on the bike from Orlando and head over. We have the QSL event on Wednesdays, its the biggest bike night in the state. Kawasaki and other vendors are sometimes there too. On Saturdays we meet up for rides and blast the long bridges between St Pete/Clearwater/Tampa and such. Of course never exceeeding any posted speed limits
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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sweeper
Parking Attendant
Posts: 22
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posted March 31, 2007 04:03 PM
Be sure to check the mileage the old fashion way vs using the high tech screen numbers. My electronics are WAY OFF! They keep telling me I'm getting around 39-40 when in reality I get anywhere from 30 to 38 tops. And the 38 was when I actually was trying to stretch the miles and see just how high I could get the MPG with easy starts, no high speed runs, etc. Seems like the electronic range, instant and avg MPG are just eye candy.
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 31, 2007 04:17 PM
quote:
Seems like the electronic range, instant and avg MPG are just eye candy.
+1
I'm with you there...its just eye-candy ballpark figures. Even the speedo is off considerably.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted March 31, 2007 06:42 PM
Edited By: NinjaNick on 31 Mar 2007 19:43
Only thing I've ever considered MPG on is cars. It's never crossed my mind on 2 wheels because as long as I can get 100+miles out of a full tank, I'm good to fine.
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted March 31, 2007 07:32 PM
Here is a quick calculation, 173 miles on 4.1 gals = 42.19 on 93 oct.
167 miles on 4.3 gals 38.83 on 87 oct. Yep the computer is somewhat incorrect, I don't think it takes MPG away in traffic.
Steve I liked Plant City, I think it was 2nd Saturday of the month, but I've never been to the Tampa Show. We will have to see, You know I always love going out on the weekends but with the new schedule well I really like staying home too.
Nick, As far as MPG well my VFR is pulling 3.3 gals on 167 miles coming to 50.67 MPG this is why it is ridden 2 days a week. My fear is now that she is almost into mid life and I might start finding problems. Here is an example, I always use the kill switch well the points are about worn and from time to time she won't start unless I click it off and on. Turn signals are also due to be replaced. One thing about the Honda I do like is better wind protection. Riding the bikes back to back the Honda has a clear edge over the 14. Of coarse the engine is not as much fun.
Rob
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted March 31, 2007 09:38 PM
"Riding the bikes back to back the Honda has a clear edge over the 14"
Thats because Honda absolutely rules.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted April 01, 2007 10:09 AM
Steve the Kaw's tranny is better along with those headlights. No bike can touch the 14's hi-beams and trust me I used them a lot at 4 in the morning.
Rob
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted April 01, 2007 10:40 AM
quote:
WOW I did not really think this topic would take off,.
...cuz' you're gonna be the ZX14's real-world long-term tester so the rest here can anticipate what gonna be needed for their machines
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nemesis
Novice Class
Posts: 51
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posted April 01, 2007 11:23 AM
What worm -hole said
Good stuff himile14!
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ny28av
Novice Class
Posts: 63
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posted April 01, 2007 04:14 PM
LOL these headlights do kick ass!!! my friends bugout when i turn the brights on. they think a cop is lighting up the road behind them. and when im up front, they let me keep the lead.
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Black 14 slightly hooked up
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