himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted July 29, 2007 08:02 AM
A DIFFICULT POST
HI All.
As of 1:30 PM Saturday afternoon the ZX-14 and I ended our relationship. A bike for the ages from a historical point of view. It was a hard decision, but one that was made more from a money stand point than bike.
I've been at my new job a little over 4 months now and in total I've added over 17,000 miles riding miles to my resume. Guys I need you to understand that riding as much as I do parts are going to be have to be replaced OFTEN. This motorcycle is outstanding in so many ways but there are a few speed bumps and the biggest speed bump to me is that Dam Valve job. That was what pushed me over the edge, I know some here have told me to learn how to tune up the bike and that's dam good advice but I work 6 days a week and to be honest I don't feel like ripping my bike apart on the seventh day, I may need more time and can't ride on Monday (he-he). I refuse to stop riding, it's in my blood and my wife is looking at the check book saying, "um what's 450 dollars for", and 280 and 173" (these are real dollars over the last several months). I know some have said you have to pay to play, but this game is costing ME a small bundle of money and in the next 10,000 miles, I'm looking at least 2 major purchases (shock. and chain and sprockets) in addition to the tune up. Sure after that I'm good for about 15K but that's only about 4-5 months away, then it starts all over again.
On a brighter note I hope my posts were informative, I do enjoy writing about motorcycles and helping others work on the more simple tasks like fork oil, installing the center stand, and brake pads, well I hope it encouraged some of you to do it yourself.
And Last years trips, I hope I did not bore you all with my travels. The ZX-14 is an outstanding motorcycle and traveling through out the country she really impressed me, and I never had any heating issues even when stuck in traffic in Nashville,Tenn when it was 105 degrees outside, and she kept me warm as I rode through New England in temps of 24-40 degrees, yes riding the ZX in the winter this I will miss.
I'm sure I'll chime in from time to time to see how everyone is doing, I wish to thank all who have givin me advise.
Finally I could not have met the good, bad funny and goofy people on this website without Fish.
Without you and the people that help you, well there is no Me so good job my friend. Keep up the good work, and Fish I know this is work I just hope you enjoy it. It sounds like you do.
Rob
Final ZX-14 miles 28,850
02 VFR 95,286 miles
06 VFR 211 miles She had 99 miles on her at delivery
  
|
stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
|
posted July 29, 2007 08:10 AM
I totally understand the bike selling situation, but no need to leave the site is there???
I'm at 12,000 miles and would give anything to sell/trade mine in. I haven't seen anything I'd rather ride. I was banking on the new Sazook but for me that thing is horrid. So I'm hoping someone does something exciting in 08 (pssst...wake up HONDA and do with the litre bike what you did to the '07 600RR). On the ZX14 I don't want to do the 15K service, chain, sprockets, brakes, fork job, steel brake line swap, and I'm sure a new clutch soon, and all the other crap that goes with putting hi miles on a bike. I already have a high maintenance track bike, my street bike is just for social chit anyway.
Good luck, I hope you occassionally check in on us and share your expertise.
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
|
NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
|
posted July 29, 2007 10:01 AM
So you won't have ANY bike at all you're saying? Or, are you just selling your 14? 
|
himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted July 29, 2007 03:18 PM
Ninja Nick,
No just selling/sold the ZX-14. I traded the 06 ZX-14 with almost 29K for a 06 VFR with 99 miles.
Rob
|
stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
|
posted July 29, 2007 04:00 PM
Its no secret a HONDA will be better over distance.
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
|
NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
|
posted July 29, 2007 04:23 PM
Oh ok...well that's no biggie brother...you're still riding! No need to go anywhere. A bike is a bike man! Stay and relax and keep chatting it up. 
|
bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
|
posted July 29, 2007 04:46 PM
trading in the bike cause it needed maintenance? thats a good one. you could have had the grandaddy of 14 mileage(quite an honor) god willing mine will grow older with me. but i only live 5 miles from work.
you could get all new suspension on e-bay for cheap, although i doubt you needed it.
valve adjust every 15k not bad, good thing you didn't buy ducati
"Its no secret a HONDA will be better over distance" brand doesn't matter if you take care of it.
keep fresh oil in anything it will run forever.(saw my old 80 cbx at bike night @60k, my old 83 suzuki 1100es had 59k last i saw it)
congrats on the new bike and stay in touch, nobody gets close to your mileage, you are a respected member of the community
____________
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
|
himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted July 29, 2007 06:35 PM
Thanks all,
I don't want anyone here to believe that I did not love my ZX because I really do ok maybe did is more correct. The Kawasaki will out perform just about every bike out there and I suspect even Busa riders are going to be a little disappointed at the performance of the 08 vs the Ninja.
I have to be realistic in knowing what my needs are. Performance is nice to have on the road but that's more of a luxury than a need. I'm going to reduce my fuel use by .8 gallon per day (or at least 3 days a week, plus my insurance will drop 400 dollars per year.
To be honest if you said to me you have to drive a car or the Ninja 250, I'd be good with that too, I think the Ninja can do 90.
I will keep in touch updating you when I hit 100,000 miles on the VFR, hell I've never owned a car that's gone that far, this should happen sometime in Sep/Oct time frame.
Funny when I left the shop the guys were going over the bike and the shop manager told me he could ride any bike, I'm pretty sure he had an eye on the 14, hell it's a Suzuki shop can't blame him.
Rob
|
smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
|
posted July 29, 2007 06:54 PM
Damn Rob i would have gave you a chain and a shock....
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
|
1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
|
posted July 29, 2007 07:03 PM
quote:
I totally understand the bike selling situation, but no need to leave the site is there???
On the ZX14 I don't want to do the 15K service, chain, sprockets, brakes, fork job, steel brake line swap, and I'm sure a new clutch soon, and all the other crap that goes with putting hi miles on a bike. .
funny... high miles..... at 15k i didn't do none of that...i'm closing on 30k and only chain 100.00 ebay ..sprocket 25.00... brake pads coming soon ebay 50.00.... valves what are valves are they portant
____________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
|
stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
|
posted July 29, 2007 07:19 PM
1bad that quote was to my posting and I didn't mean ALL of that at 15K. But the valves need checking at 15K and all the other stuff needs attention too as miles come on. If you didn't change your fork oil and possibly the rea shock, you're riding on a wore out bike (not to mention a bike not as safe). And the rubber break lines on any sportbike get mushy over time, I suggest changing to steel braided.
I prefer not to ride on wore out crap, and I prefer not to have to work on it all the time to avoid it being wore out crap. Run yours in the ground if you wish, I'll change bikes while my 14 still is worth a little. It just doesn't seem practical to run mine in the ground and ride it till its worthless, compared to selling it while it still has value and riding a new one without headaches of hi-miles maintenance.
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
|
1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
|
posted July 29, 2007 07:30 PM
 Edited By: 1badzx12r on 29 Jul 2007 20:31
quote:
1bad that quote was to my posting and I didn't mean ALL of that at 15K. But the valves need checking at 15K and all the other stuff needs attention too as miles come on. If you didn't change your fork oil and possibly the rea shock, you're riding on a wore out bike (not to mention a bike not as safe). And the rubber break lines on any sportbike get mushy over time, I suggest changing to steel braided.
I prefer not to ride on wore out crap, and I prefer not to have to work on it all the time to avoid it being wore out crap. Run yours in the ground if you wish, I'll change bikes while my 14 still is worth a little. It just doesn't seem practical to run mine in the ground and ride it till its worthless, compared to selling it while it still has value and riding a new one without headaches of hi-miles maintenance.
but the thing that gets me with ppl's is 15k as hi miles.... whats hi miles....i would think maybe 75k as hi miles....i just don't have yall's money to throw away on undamage or unworn out parts.... i'm gonna get every last cent out of a part before replacement ...... its not like i'm racin in MOTO GP
____________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
|
zx14_busakilla
Expert Class
Posts: 165
|
posted July 29, 2007 07:50 PM
Wish you the best of luck on the VFR man
|
LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
|
posted July 30, 2007 04:09 AM
Stay on the forum Rob...
Himile14:
Sorry you had to trade your 14 man. In the end we all have to look at our own situations. Ironically, 2 bikes ago I also had a VFR which is a great bike. The 14 reminds me very much of the VFR I had (an '03 with an Erion twin canister exhaust) with a MAJOR power increase. Same all around versatility, great street handling and so far (2,066 miles in 1 month) ultra reliable. Your posts where full of useful info so that will be missed.
Do what works for you and keep riding. For the record I think we met at Daytona awhile back when you first got the 14. If I am right you worked for Honda then and rode the 14 to like Nebraska. Anyway drop us posts and ride brother..
Ride Safe.....
____________
'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
|
himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted July 30, 2007 12:43 PM
Leo,
Yea I think I remember you, I was hounding the Kawasaki engineer when we talked. Grab me by the neck in October, I'm planning to hang out at the Kawasaki Honda tent on Thursday remind me of this post I won't forget. Yes I did work for Honda at the time.
You know this world we live in is pretty small, I've had the pleasure of meeting some pretty cool people.
You know the first time I found this site, it was right after last years Daytona, a member posted pics and there I was in 2 pics. Yes I was talking about something I knew nothing about (comes from being a car salesperson) he-he.
Maybe I'll bore you all with a story from my next trip.
Thanks again for the kind words.
Rob
|
himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted July 30, 2007 01:02 PM
quote:
Damn Rob i would have gave you a chain and a shock....
Smokin,
I'm sure you are not bullshitting in the least bit, and words cannot express how much I appreciate it. Your E-mail last week was in fact the reason I did not buy the VFR on Wednesday. That plus I don't like making quick decisions, did that a lot when I played the stock market and most times it's never a good ending.
I like to think of myself as a pioneer, getting to go where few have gone before and it's very rewarding, but it's also something I have to do on my own.
Man I just don't know what else to say other than Thanks
Rob
|
LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
|
posted July 30, 2007 01:55 PM
See you at Biketoberfest then....
Rob:
You know me to well. Assuming hurricane season passes and leaves us all intact, I'll look for you at either Honda or Kawasaki's tents at Daytona. Typically we show up during the week for the demo rides when the lines are shortest and as you know...Kawasaki rules that at Daytona. I'll send you a PM when we get around that time. In the meantime enjoy the "new" VFR.
Ride Safe......
____________
'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
|
smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
|
posted July 30, 2007 03:28 PM
quote:
quote:
Damn Rob i would have gave you a chain and a shock....
Smokin,
I'm sure you are not bullshitting in the least bit, and words cannot express how much I appreciate it. Your E-mail last week was in fact the reason I did not buy the VFR on Wednesday. That plus I don't like making quick decisions, did that a lot when I played the stock market and most times it's never a good ending.
I like to think of myself as a pioneer, getting to go where few have gone before and it's very rewarding, but it's also something I have to do on my own.
Man I just don't know what else to say other than Thanks
Rob
You are welcome and the offer still stands if you change your mind ...Smokin..
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
|
SteddyTeddy
Pro
Posts: 1664
|
posted July 30, 2007 04:56 PM
Sounds like you need a shaft drive and hydaulic valves that you don't have to adjust.
|
himile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted July 30, 2007 06:07 PM
quote:
Sounds like you need a shaft drive and hydaulic valves that you don't have to adjust.
Amen brother
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC