lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted October 29, 2007 07:01 PM
Thanks for all the kind comments. The paint really is amazing! On the "sunny" side of the bike, the top parts are blue metallic and the bottom parts kinda fade to black (unless you get down lower with them). On the "shady" side, you would swear that it is black. Yes, FBA, it gets smudged and dirty much faster than my red 06 did. I agree that you have to see it in person - pictures just capture it.
I will get it cleaned up and get some better pictures soon. I used one for my background also as Google couldn't find a good one anywhere on the Internet!
I put the seat cowling on today (no- mounting did not change) and my dark tint ZG screen.
I put another 150 miles on it today - total is now 354 miles - it is still awesome! No negatives to report.
Read on another site that Brock has not touched the 08 yet. Will someone tell him to hurry up!
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You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
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stevewfl

Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted October 29, 2007 08:11 PM
lucky, hope you don't mind i stole some of the bike pics and e-mailed them!
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted October 30, 2007 04:41 AM
quote: lucky, hope you don't mind i stole some of the bike pics and e-mailed them!
NP.
Maybe we should post them on the Busa sites to get some more Kawa converts.
____________
You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
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shawnski

Pro
Posts: 1809
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posted October 30, 2007 08:41 AM
very nice lucky, looks beautiful. i think this is the same color as 02 zx12r. i had one.
i knew i should have waited to get the 08. oh well.... now i can come up with all kind of excuses to convince myself to get one.
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Ninja_Knight

Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted October 30, 2007 10:02 AM
It kind of sucks that you have to pull out a tool box in order to take the seat cowling off... one would figure that would be the one thing they would change since EVERYONE has complained about it. Are you getting some sliders to protect that pretty paint job, luck?
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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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gremlin
Novice Class
Posts: 87
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posted October 30, 2007 07:22 PM
Lucky 14: Great pictures, great information...Thank You!
My situation is similiar...Currently own 06 14 stock (flies not removed). Love the bike except for the lack of power below 4 grand. My ZZR 1200 and ZRX 1200 both initially pull away from the ZX14. Did not expect the 08 version to be this substantially different in power delivery. Two questions for you: A. What made you take a chance on purchasing the 08 with such limited information available at the time? B. Was your dealer willing to negotiate, since the bike is so new?
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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted October 30, 2007 08:04 PM
quote: Lucky 14: Great pictures, great information...Thank You!
My situation is similiar...Currently own 06 14 stock (flies not removed). Love the bike except for the lack of power below 4 grand. My ZZR 1200 and ZRX 1200 both initially pull away from the ZX14. Did not expect the 08 version to be this substantially different in power delivery. Two questions for you: A. What made you take a chance on purchasing the 08 with such limited information available at the time? B. Was your dealer willing to negotiate, since the bike is so new?
I loved my red 06, except for the lack of power down low. My prior bike was a ZRX1200, so the lack of torque compared to the ZRX was at first perplexing.
A. You're right - I bought the 08 on faith alone (and a few rumors). I really wanted something new, and there really wasn't anything that fits my needs other than the Busa, which I just couldn't see me on. I was expecting a little more power, but it appears from Rickey's testing (and from my butt-o-meter) that it has MORE than a little all through the range.
B. I traded the 06 and got about $7650, including the sales tax benefit. I could have sold it myself for a little more, but it wasn't worth the hassle of placing ads, waiting for people that never show up, etc. The dealer came off of MSRP a couple of hundred.
My normal dealer (kawasakicityirving.com) has the 08's at about $11,390 drive out including Texas sales tax, which would be about $10,700 if you come in from another state. Unfortunately, they still have about a dozen 07's and didn't need my 06 sitting on the floor competing with them.
____________
You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
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gremlin
Novice Class
Posts: 87
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posted October 31, 2007 07:55 PM
Lucky 14: One more question to gain additional insight: When riding the ZRX 1200, the torque never fails to put a grin on my face. I would describe the power of that ZRX as completely satisfying, and could ride all day with the tach never exceeding 6K. Does the overall sensation of low-to-mid range power from your 08 14 reach that same feeling?
By the way, we are ready for more pictures, especially with the seat cowling in place, and another update after having ridden more miles. Thanks in advance!
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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted November 01, 2007 11:02 AM
quote: Lucky 14: One more question to gain additional insight: When riding the ZRX 1200, the torque never fails to put a grin on my face. I would describe the power of that ZRX as completely satisfying, and could ride all day with the tach never exceeding 6K. Does the overall sensation of low-to-mid range power from your 08 14 reach that same feeling?
By the way, we are ready for more pictures, especially with the seat cowling in place, and another update after having ridden more miles. Thanks in advance!
I *think* that the 08 will match the ZRX in the lower revs.
At higher revs, where the 14 starts to pull hard, the ZRX is running out of steam.
To be fair, a highway rollon with the ZRX in top gear (5th) should be done with the 14 in 5th also, as the gearing is very close to the same, IMHO.
I will get a dyno on the (stock) 08 in the next few days and overlay it with the run of the stock ZRX and post it. I will get more pictures in the next few days also.
____________
You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
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reynoldss

Expert Class
Posts: 207
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posted November 17, 2007 08:15 AM
That pic of the 14 on the boatdock is incredible!!
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Everybodys tyring to go green, I did years ago.
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shane661

Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted November 17, 2007 08:19 AM
That color is awesome. I have a Pearl Mystic Black 12R, very similar in the sun.
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bigdtd

Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted November 17, 2007 11:33 AM
my favorite color for 08, nice ride
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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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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted November 17, 2007 03:44 PM
Edited By: lucky14 on 17 Nov 2007 15:44
quote: Lucky 14: One more question to gain additional insight: When riding the ZRX 1200, the torque never fails to put a grin on my face. I would describe the power of that ZRX as completely satisfying, and could ride all day with the tach never exceeding 6K. Does the overall sensation of low-to-mid range power from your 08 14 reach that same feeling?
I can give you a definite answer now, and I am in shock!
At 3200, the ZRX and the 14 have the same torque.
By 3500, the 14 is 6 ft-lbs ahead.
At 4000, the 14 is 15 ft-lbs ahead.
At 4500, 18 ft-lbs, at 5000, 20 ft-lbs, above that - fagitaboutit!
BTW, the 14 makes more HP at 6100 than the ZRX makes at peak.
This is comparing stock to stock, my 02 ZRX1200R to the 08 14. Other results may vary.
____________
You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
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gremlin
Novice Class
Posts: 87
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posted November 17, 2007 09:11 PM
Lucky 14: Great information, thank you for getting back in touch. Your Dyno results back up your initial impressions of significantly increased power in the 08 14. Have you been able to compare stock dyno results of your traded 06 to your 08 to see just what Kawasaki have done specifically with power increases across the RPM range?
BTW: Any additional pictures or riding impressions?
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted November 18, 2007 06:45 AM
Lucky what did your 08 14 Dyno at?
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worm~hole

Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted November 18, 2007 10:15 AM
....that'd make a great color for its more 'mature' cousin, the Concours-14 ....and congrats!
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“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted November 18, 2007 01:22 PM
quote: Lucky what did your 08 14 Dyno at?
6.6 HP more than my 06 at peak.
Considerably more up to 5500.
I'll start another thread when I get a chance..........................
____________
You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
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larryc
Novice Class
Posts: 43
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posted November 18, 2007 07:47 PM
quote:
I've seen Kawasaki recalibrate a temp guage through FDM by installing a resistor to change the guage reading. Point being this. No other changes were made to the bike. That little trick stopped the complaints from owners of 84 900 Ninjas.....get my drift on that?
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted November 18, 2007 07:52 PM
quote:
quote: Lucky what did your 08 14 Dyno at?
6.6 HP more than my 06 at peak.
Considerably more up to 5500.
I'll start another thread when I get a chance..........................
6.6 seems about right to me. and if my 06 14 would have been 6.6 stronger it would have been 195 same as my 08 Busa which is exactly what I figured the two 08 bikes would do.
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