kawferr
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted January 23, 2008 05:13 PM
clunky shifting - say it aint so!!!!!
read road tests in motorcyclist and sportrider. i think it was in sportrider, that the tester said the zx-14,s I qoute: STIFF TRANNY, ITS STILL A BIT CLUNKY- ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS.
I can't deal with sloppy shifting bikes. my son had a 2004 zrx1200 (eddie lawson replica) and the 2nd gear shift was horrendous. it was passable if you pre-loaded the shifter and rode it hard. run the bike easy or in town it was so bad i never rode it. bleeding the slave cylinder would help for a month or two but it was an inherent characteristic of the bike's tranny. my son sold it because it bugged him to.
i am ready to trade my gixxer 1000 2002 for a 08 zx-14, but this has got me thinking. cant road test bikes around here, so i would appreciate candid comments. if i did not experince how bad the zrx1200, was i probably would be this paranoid . please respond.
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strafer
  
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted January 23, 2008 05:17 PM
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted January 23, 2008 05:48 PM
My experience with my 06 14 was a clunk going from N to 1st but after that it shifted smooth, never gave me any troubles at the track or on the street. I would not worry about it and trade!
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Stage XXX Mr Turbo ZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 157
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posted January 23, 2008 05:53 PM
As Long as you dont put it into gear at 7 grand it don't Clunk lol
XXX
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Worlds Fastest ZX14 - - - 230.157 mph Texas Mile 10/07
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FASTESTbusaAROUND
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted January 23, 2008 05:58 PM
Clunky shifting in gear? Neither on my 06 or 08 ZX14...best tranny I've ever seen on a bike. Almost too smooth, if you ask me...can't tell most of the time during the shift...
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FYYFF!!!
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted January 23, 2008 06:03 PM
quote:
best tranny I've ever seen on a bike. Almost too smooth, if you ask me...can't tell most of the time during the shift...
+1
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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macattack
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted January 23, 2008 06:17 PM
I have an 08' and to be honest from nuetral to first you get the usual "clunk", it's normal. After that I have to look at the gear indicator to see what gear I am in...it really is that smooth plus reliable. My buddy has an 08' Busa, the tranny from Nuetral to first is too smooth imo. He always "bitches" about his bike going into Neutral from 5th to 6th at average R.P.M. I would rather have a clunk at zero M.P.H and know where I am in the gear selection than bet my life on the highway from 5th...to nuetral...to 6th on the Busa! Both nice bikes, but for me I like predictability. Can't go wrong with the 14!
Mac
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FASTESTbusaAROUND
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted January 23, 2008 06:22 PM
 Edited By: FASTESTbusaAROUND on 23 Jan 2008 18:22
That false neutral between 5th and 6th still plagues the 08? That was always an issue on the 99-07's; I can't imagine it's still there on the 08...makes no sense at all.
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FYYFF!!!
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macattack
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted January 23, 2008 06:51 PM
quote:
That false neutral between 5th and 6th still plagues the 08? That was always an issue on the 99-07's; I can't imagine it's still there on the 08...makes no sense at all.
Yes, it is stil there...but for the Busa owners there is hope. Both I and my friend noticed on his 03' it went away after 1,500 miles. He only has 650 miles so far, winter and all. I would think that it will soon go away after the tranny breaks in...
As for who is faster between the 14 and Busa stock...I guess one of us would have to use the restroom before to win! Both nice bikes, each have their own attributes!
Although, my midnight blue is so much better looking!
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted January 23, 2008 06:52 PM
quote:
As Long as you dont put it into gear at 7 grand it don't Clunk lol
XXX
Huh, my idle was at 1100 and it clunked going into 1st! still a damn good tranny.
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted January 23, 2008 11:30 PM
My '06 seems to be smoother with more miles. Its almost 'buttery' after I went to the full synthetic after breakin. I'd buy another 14 in a heartbeat. I can't say that about my '03 zx12 though.
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted January 24, 2008 01:03 AM
I found that the 14 needed shifting a bit slower than my old GSX-R1000 particularly at low rpm, just the difference in the two boxes. At higher rpm it's sweet. It took me a few miles to get used to it.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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Tool Man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted January 24, 2008 05:57 AM
It's all in your head.. 
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The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
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bigbore4
Zone Head
Posts: 806
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posted January 24, 2008 06:06 AM
Just an observation I've made,
Many guys are comparing the "first gear clunk" that is common on many bikes, to a rough trans. In Most cases completely unrelated, as the clutch drag that some bikes have, is what causes the clunk.
Something has to stop the input shaft from turning and if it has any drag on the clutch, it won't stop until you force it to stop by dropping it into 1st.
Aggravating to say the least, when your bike sounds like a bailing machine when you drop it in gear. I think the design of the clutch basket has more to do with it than anything, as even with fresh steels and fibers, many bikes just won't let go of the shaft unless you drop the idle really low.
'
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted January 24, 2008 06:10 AM
Edited By: BobC on 24 Jan 2008 06:12
Any of you guys old enough to remember "freeing the clutch" before kickstarting a bike?
If you didn't it would stall the engine when you engaged 1st.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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