himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 23, 2007 07:01 PM
ZX REPLACEMENT???
Hi All,
As many of you know I ride my ZX and VFR a lot and as the miles pile on I'm beginning to think about the high dollar replacements that are not so high on the VFR.
1st the Valves, man they are out of sync again, not nearly as bad as 15K but clearly different than at 16K. Cost for the tune up will be around 500 dollars and that should include parts. My VFR did not see the shop for valves until 87k, the way I figure I'm going to have to drop another 2000+ dollars before I get anywhere near 87K.
2nd This fuel filter is really bothering me, a 40 dollar replacement on the VFR may cost me close to 400 on the ZX. Any help here is appreciated but I see a fuel pump replacement and not just a simple filter.
3rd Shock, I'm reading 586 dollars for a stock replacement rear shock. In fairness the VFR's shock was replaced with a stock shock and the cost was 280 dollars. Clearly you get what you pay for and I like adjusting the zx to the perfect suspension still is it worth the extra 300 dollars for the kind of riding I do??
4th Chain I suspect I can get a cheaper chain here but per Kawasaki specs our chain is going to cost somewhere in the 300 dollar range. Yes at this point my chain is fine but I suspect another 10K is about all she has left.
I may be able to trade the ZX for a 06 VFR give or take a grand.
I'd like to get everyones opinion here but in the last 4 months I've logged close to 15K and at this rate I have to start looking at cost of riding and the way I see it the ZX is going to cost me 2000+ more than the VFR all things being equal. What say you.
Thanks Rob
ZX-14 28,586 miles
VFR 94,789 miles
  
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BlackMagic14
Needs a job
Posts: 2058
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posted July 23, 2007 10:38 PM
Can you afford it? If not trade the thing off I myself wouldnt trade a 14 for a VFR but I aint putting anywhere near that many miles on my bike and if I was I might not have gotten a 14 in the first place. Sounds like it is going to be a tough decision either way
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himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 24, 2007 12:37 AM
I suspect the comfort level of working on the VFR does appeal to me. The fact that I have to turn over the ZX to the shop for 2 days twice a year also is also bothersome..
I really have to think about it...I love having all the power in the world at the twist of the wrist. Still thinking.
Rob
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ninja12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
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posted July 24, 2007 11:40 AM
Two difference worlds, a Camry is going to cost more per mile than a Corolla.
Only you can descide if it's worth it to you.
From a pure operating cost view, the zx14 can't compete with most smaller bikes.
I love to drive my 17 mpg F350 diesel, but It's hard to leave a 26 mpg car in the drive.
I'm wiling to pay for play 1 or 2 days a week.
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himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 24, 2007 12:46 PM
Ninja 12,
Great points all of them, and if I was not so anal I would not care one way or the other. I've seen some owners ride and not give a lick about maintenance. I personally like to know that if I choose to push the bike to it's limits it can handle it.
As it sits now the valves are slightly out of sync, rear shock (even after I've adjusted it) is beginning to fail and the chain is in it's last 1/4th of it's life. All these things, most here would ignore. Riding 80 miles at 4 in the morning, well drives me insane, specially when that's all I think about mile after mile. Curse my stupid ways. Funny part is in most cases I know how to handle just about any situation thrown my way yet as I read this forum One 14 engine blew and I can't help to wonder how this could happen, was one of the valves out of sync???? He-he welcome to my world. I'm not going to do anything for a while but the thoughts are there...
I was sorta hoping more here would give me the business about the trade. Still thinking.
Rob
ZX-14 28,586 miles
VFR 94,954 miles
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FasterThanStink
Pro
Posts: 1218
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posted July 24, 2007 01:19 PM
Your flippin nuts if you are going to buy a fuel pump because you THINK the filter needs changing. If there is a filter in the pump it is going to be very high capacity and capable of functioning until the fuel pump goes out. If a filter is not dirty to it's capacity then nothing is gained by changing it.
Brand new Zero miles shocks are almost constantly on E-bay for way less than $100. You could also send yours to Racetech over the winter and have a MUCH better functioning shock tailored to your weight and riding style for the price of a new one.
A chain in excess of 16,000 lbs tensile strength is $190.00 from Krause Racing (Sidewinder)
The valves I can't help you with. You ride you pay.
____________
Speed has never killed anyone,
suddenly becoming stationary...
That's what gets you.
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makana81
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted July 24, 2007 01:47 PM
You should not sell the ZX if you're still enjoying the ride, but make your VFR the primary long distance hauler (80+ daily). This will accomplish several things; 1-- ZX is kept (for trips and special occassions), 2--Lower estimated repairs in the near future, 3--And blah blah blah. Seem's pretty simple, cause it is!
____________
85' 900 (1039) Ninja
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himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 24, 2007 02:26 PM
FTS
Dammit man that's more like it, and for the record I really did not know that ebay sold 14 shocks, goes to show you I need to get out more. The chain I'm aware of I've put at least 20 chains on motorcycles and I know they can be had for much less than $300.
About an hour ago the wife made the point that she really likes the 14 (like she'd ever ride it) better than the VFR. She says at least buy something different if your going to look for a different bike..Gotta love that women...yes she is ALWAYS RIGHT.
Any other secrets I should know (examples of where to get good deals on bike parts) about.
Thanks for bringing me back to Earth.
Oh Makana81 on average I ride 167 miles a day..80 miles is 1/2 there ;^)
Rob
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Ojref
Expert Class
Posts: 336
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posted July 24, 2007 02:38 PM
 Edited By: Ojref on 24 Jul 2007 15:38
I think the collective gist of the advice being given is:
"Man the fuck up and turn a goddamn wrench or sell and ride your pussy ass Honda"
Now, that's a bit harsh. Coming from a CBR1100XX and as a previous owner of ZRX's and older Kawa's, Honda tends to do a lot more with less maint. Kawa's are less refined. Everything you've described thus far is fairly easy to maintain, exception being the valves, and you can shop around a little to get that down to a fair price if you don't feel up to task.
____________
2006 Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja, Red now with mo' Brock's in my lyfe
1991 Yamaha Vmax - Because I need a mule to carry the manhood
2002 Ford Lightning - Ford GT Aluminum block engined, 802HP 911TQ now WhippleCharged
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himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted July 24, 2007 03:33 PM
quote:
I think the collective gist of the advice being given is:
"Man the fuck up and turn a goddamn wrench or sell and ride your pussy ass Honda"
Now, that's a bit harsh. Coming from a CBR1100XX and as a previous owner of ZRX's and older Kawa's, Honda tends to do a lot more with less maint. Kawa's are less refined. Everything you've described thus far is fairly easy to maintain, exception being the valves, and you can shop around a little to get that down to a fair price if you don't feel up to task.
Maybe a little harsh but I can't disagree.
OK quick tid bit on the Honda. Bastard dealership was willing to give me 2000...with a maybe to qualify. Being so dam close to 100K I have to give that a shot. I've never owned a car with 100K yet alone a bike.
As far as the Fuel Filter is concerned, guys you can not believe how much a dirty fuel filter robbed the performance of the VFR. It's a different motorcycle I mean a totally different bike period. This leads me to believe gas in Florida can be shitty and it's up to me to do whatever I can to maintain performance. I mean having 200 hp MEANS having 200 HP right. I'm sure there is a slight performance falloff since new hell I'm going to the same gas stations. Just a concern.
Rob
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BIGZXDADDY
Expert Class
Posts: 270
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posted July 24, 2007 05:31 PM
more and more modern vehicles are equiped with high filtration capacity, non-servicable fuel filters and fall under the catogory , if it's not broke don't fix it. used fuel filters are very harmful to the environment because most wind up in the land fill
____________
"never drive faster than you can see, besides it's all in the reflexes"
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WRAITH_ZX_14
Novice Class
Need more time to ride
Posts: 33
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posted July 26, 2007 05:28 PM
Don't sell The 14.... The fuel pump is way easy to get to with only five bolts and an "O" ring for a seal... It's easy. Chains and other std maint. should be pretty routine for a rider of a 14.... Most of us on the ZX have been riding for years and have probebly torn down a few bikes in our time...... here's an analogy for ya... drivin a Honda Accord is gonna be cheaper than drivin a Ferrari. But shit man, wouldn't you rather be drivin the "Prancin' Pony"? I would... I guess your just gonna have to evaluate what your use is for a bike. Commute? VFR........ Tear it up, live life, and pull off a few panties along the way... ZX-14!!!!!!!!!!!
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