lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted October 27, 2007 08:04 AM
2008 is GREAT!!!!!!!
Got my 2008 ZX-14 in the "Metallic Midnight Sapphire Blue" on Friday. For history, I've owned an 06 for the last 16 months.
In the garage or in the shade, it looks BLACK, but in the sun it shows off the dark metallic blue. It's nothing like the "bass boat" pictures on the net.
I only got to ride it home from the dealer, about 15 miles, and then had other commitments. I will get pictures today, but this may be one that you have to see in person!
Initial impressions: No cam chain rattle on cold startup (CCT is a different part # than the 06/07). Little or no "clunk" going into first gear. Stronger low/midrange. Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to stretch its legs.
BONUS: Late last night, I found the detailed info by Rickey about the increased power shown by the dyno runs. Wow!!! Does anyone know if that was stock or flies out, because the torque down low was awesome! I will get some miles and then schedule some dyno time to get stock vs. pipe/pc on the same day.
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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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reckless
Novice Class
Posts: 60
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posted October 27, 2007 08:16 AM
Hey Lucky I'm jealous.
Got the call from my dealer that my "blue" 08 will be in next week. I feel like camping out on their doorstep until it arrives.
Post pictures soon please!!!
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ZX12R4PLAY

Novice Class
Dirty South
Posts: 79
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posted October 27, 2007 08:21 AM
Is the drain plug on the oil pan in the same place or will we have to get a modified/billet pan if I want to lower the bike and put a sidewider exhaust on it. I plan on getting me the 08 blue 14 as soon as the dealers here have them .
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warbird

Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted October 27, 2007 08:31 AM
Hey, congrats lucky................ I was just looking at Rickeys chart and Brocks chart from his 14 diaries part one. NO comparison at all.....................the 08 smashes the 06/07 down low. Like removing the secondaries altogether.....................
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I'd Rather Be Roadracing.
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jdzx14

Expert Class
Posts: 412
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posted October 27, 2007 09:12 AM
Congrats man.....please post pics.. that blue is bad ass!!!
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2007 Black ZX-14
Lowering links, Brocks Strap Kit, Muzzy Full 4-2-1, No files, PC3, BMC Race filter, 6 inch extensions,16/44, Shinko 003 Ultra Soft..... SOLD!!!!!
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ninjavin

Expert Class
Posts: 102
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posted October 27, 2007 11:07 AM
Edited By: ninjavin on 27 Oct 2007 12:08
Pics Please!
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883L
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted October 27, 2007 11:07 AM
I'm jealous
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stevewfl

Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted October 27, 2007 12:42 PM
quote: Pics Please!
+1
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Stage XXX Mr Turbo ZX14

Expert Class
Posts: 157
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posted October 27, 2007 01:25 PM
congrats Lucky
XXX
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Worlds Fastest ZX14 - - - 230.157 mph Texas Mile 10/07
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motormania
Parking Attendant
Posts: 19
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posted October 27, 2007 04:03 PM
Grats on the bike... That new toy feeling is the BEST!!!
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Wheelie

Needs a life
Old Man
Posts: 6902
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posted October 27, 2007 04:07 PM
ok Lucky, my blue R1 is waiting!
For a wheelie contest! hehe wee
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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted October 27, 2007 05:51 PM
Pictures???
OK.............
Ready to launch:

Left side:

Closer:

What would that 2 mile long bridge in the background be good for? 

Guages - see anything different?

From the top - this is one of those "deceiving" pictures - the metallic bits are not anything like the picture looks. They're actually smaller than the head of a pin.

____________
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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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted October 27, 2007 06:33 PM
Answering questions, and rambling about the initial 144 miles:
Wheelie, trade that little toy on a new 14 before it's too late!
reckless - don't let it get away!
ZX12R4PLAY - Yep - drain plug/lip still the lowest bits on the bike.
warbird - I can't wait to dyno mine bone stock to confirm what my butt-o-meter says. I wonder if they are just opening the flies sooner (with corresponding mapping), added timing, or what??? Maybe there's only a little more power, but it feels better because of the responsiveness of the changes to the injectors???
Since I am one of the 3.5 people on the planet that left the flies in on the 06, I am qualified to talk about the difference in low end / midrange power. Stock, the 06 was pathetic below 4000, and as you know, the "hit" came at about 6000. Knowing the 08 was coming, I devised a simple standard, and tried it quite a few times:
On the 06 in 3rd gear at 3000, I would go to WOT and it was WEAK until about 4000 where it started to pull, by 5000 feeling good, and by 6000 my arms were getting longer.
The same procedure on the 08 results in a strong initial pull and by 4000 it is pulling hard, and then continues to pull hard smoothly through 6000.
I know that the "flyless" and turbo guys wouldn't be impressed, but it feels good for showroom stock.
I didn't expect this much difference, but...................... I'll take it.
____________
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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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted October 27, 2007 08:11 PM
nice looking, love that color
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NinjaNick

Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted October 28, 2007 05:31 AM
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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted October 28, 2007 06:25 AM
I just remembered something maybe significant (or.......................maybe not).
Remember all the discussions on the heat issue on the 06's? I never had any issue other than the gauge going to 6 bars on the 06 and scaring me a few times, but it never boiled over.
I was expecting dual fans like the Concours14 and the 08 Busa but that didn't happen.
On the way home from the dealer, I was in stop-and-go traffic (never out of first gear) for maybe 20 minutes. It never got over 4 bars on the heat gauge. It was only 75 degrees and it's normally hotter than that in Texas so I don't have a lot to compare to other than what I've read from others at these temps.
Also, part of the time on a stretch of highway, it was running only 2 bars at about 80 mph indicated and sometimes 3 bars. That NEVER happened with the 06. It ran 3 - 4 bars normally.
Finally, after being in city traffic and getting to 4 bars and stopping at Sonic (gotta eat sometime) I turned the key back on to check the time and noticed that the fan sounded like it is spinning faster than the 06??? Could be my imagination.
I checked the part numbers and the 08 fan is a different part number but the radiators are the same.
____________
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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billeason
Zone Head
Posts: 711
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posted October 28, 2007 09:08 AM
My 08 runs 12 to 15 degrees cooler than my 06 any time, We have had some 90 degree days here in the north east in october, iam not kidding its been hot but with infared temp senser; 08 does run cooler traffic/dyno/anytime. We are going to pull thermostat housing when we start switching perf.parts off my 06 and also going to cc chambers to see whats diff from the bikes. I hope to have it apart by end of next week/what ever i find i will post, except for what port design i go with, he! he! bill..
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bill eason
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fastest-14

Expert Class
Fastest -14
Posts: 354
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posted October 28, 2007 09:46 AM
Lucky14, Congrats on your new purchase! Thanks for your unbiased observation and comparisons between your 06 and 08 14. I have the blue 06. Sounds like Kaw has made some subtle but effective changes to the 08 model. There must be some differences internally with the cooling system for 08 to read 2 or 3 bars cooler, not unless Kaw always had the 06/07 indicators adjusted to read higher for some reason.
Still waiting to see how the new 14 compares to the new Busa in all categories, since everybody is riding the Busa's Jock right now.
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lucky14

Pro
Posts: 1439
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posted October 28, 2007 06:49 PM
Edited By: lucky14 on 28 Oct 2007 19:50
quote: My 08 runs 12 to 15 degrees cooler than my 06 any time, We have had some 90 degree days here in the north east in october, iam not kidding its been hot but with infared temp senser; 08 does run cooler traffic/dyno/anytime. We are going to pull thermostat housing when we start switching perf.parts off my 06 and also going to cc chambers to see whats diff from the bikes. I hope to have it apart by end of next week/what ever i find i will post, except for what port design i go with, he! he! bill..
I'll be interested to see what you find out.
Dyno? Did you say dyno?
Have you run both the 06 and the 08 on the same dyno? Is there a significant difference?
How about some numbers for comparison, or post charts?
BTW, I have 204 miles now and still lovin' it!
This one is missing the "whine" of my 06 and some others that had videos posted. My son said the 06 sounded like a little girl screaming!!! LOL!!!
Not necessarily a bad thing, just a thing....................
____________
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 28, 2007 06:51 PM
wow @ the pics, congrats on the sweet bike
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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bryan76
Novice Class
Posts: 85
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posted October 28, 2007 06:53 PM
your bike looks great it looks so good in person I am thinking of trading my black 07 for the blue 08
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fastestbusaaround

Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 28, 2007 07:39 PM
I think I'm going silver -- will not have to wash it as much as the darker colors -- have a black 06 now...too much cleaning
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FYYFF!!!
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Ninja_Knight

Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted October 29, 2007 02:39 PM
Thank you so much for those beautiful pics Lucky, and congrats on the new ride! Also, thanks for checking the parts numbers on the fan and stuff, that was VERY helpful. It would be nice if Kawi made that fan go a bit faster to help with cooling. Did they ever fix the fuel estimator on the display? People on 06's said that it was fun but worthless because it was never accurate?
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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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Ninja_Knight

Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted October 29, 2007 03:29 PM
Oh, and I hope you don't mind but I am using one of your pictures as a background to my work computer. Freaking beautiful!
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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 October 29, 2007 06:16 PM
Congrats Lucky,
I have to admit if I see that bike in the sun I may be tempted.....No I can't go back.....maybe next year, welcome to my world.
Seriously Kawasaki knocked one out of the ballpark with that color.
Just an opinion here, but as nice as the pics look, for some reason that color just does not shoot as well as seeing it in person.
Congrats again.
Rob
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