flight003
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted February 21, 2008 09:29 AM
Why you traded your 12?
I've been going back and forth with trading my 12 in for a 14 and need some first hand info from you guys that have made the switch. I don't do much drag racing, but do a variety of riding, distances, twisties, and jump in it from time to time. I've read all the articles, but who better to give the411 than someone that owned both. The 12 is a wicked ride, so what made you make the trade?
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....something wicked this way comes....
  
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oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted February 21, 2008 09:58 AM
I kept my 12 but it sure doesn't get ridden as much since I got a 14.
The 14 is smoother, handles better and the brakes are fantastic, much better than my 12 with wave rotors and stainless lines. The power delivery is great on the 14 once the flies are removed. The bikes weigh about the same but to me the 14 feels 50 pounds lighter.
The fit & finish was improved on the 14 and little things like changing the oil and filter can be done without removing the plastic.
With the 12, I sit kinda down in the bike and the 14 I'm on top of it, if that makes any sense.
With all that being said I still think the 12 is a better looking bike and I don't see me ever getting rid of mine.
Dan
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ninjaatnite
Novice Class
Posts: 65
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posted February 21, 2008 10:05 AM
I sold my '00 ZX12R in '06 for the '06 ZX14. If I could do it over again, I would keep my ZX12R. The ZX12R is a nice bike & looks alot better. If you like your bike keep it. That's just my opinion. RIDE SAFE!!
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted February 21, 2008 11:40 AM
After buying the 14, my 12 just sat, seldomly getting ridden. I did remove all of the aftermarket stuff from the 12 to offset the price of the aftermarket parts for my 14. Once I pulled the pc, pipes, helibars, & corbin off the 12, its days were numbered. For me, the 12 needed those 'extra' parts to make it perfect. Once those parts were gone, it was just not the same. I kept the 12 for awhile, but I got an above-average price once I actually found a buyer.
Honestly, the 14 was the bike I was looking for in 2003...almost busa-ish. I'm still a firm believer that there is nothing on the road that is as beautiful as my green '03. I even said I'd never part with her...but things change. My only regret was the bike was totalled within 4 weeks by its 2nd owner.
If I could do it again, I'd keep the 12 and leave all the aftermarket parts on it. I would also buy the 14...its truely an awesome, refined bike with Tons of torque and power.
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02zx12rbob
Expert Class
Posts: 496
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posted February 21, 2008 12:06 PM
I agree with all the above..that being said ..my 02 12 is for sale right now, only cause the price of the turbo for the 14 is more then this ol boy has. Something has to go.
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kawasaki_rick
Zone Head
Posts: 512
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posted February 21, 2008 12:45 PM
I traded my 12 bcuz the pos clutch my 12 had. that was the biggest pos kawi ever put in a ninja.
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1badvespa1400cc
Zone Head
power junkie
Posts: 691
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posted February 21, 2008 01:45 PM
Traded my 12 forv a 14 because the 12 was getting out dated as far as electronics go and the 14 feels soooo much better as far as throttle response and torque.
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Just another foeteen!!!!!
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted February 21, 2008 03:14 PM
I can't imagine being more "on top of" the bike than with the 12. Is that a typo Dan, or do you really feel you sink down into the 12 as compared to the 14?
Shane
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warbird
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted February 21, 2008 03:41 PM
That's no typo I'm sure Shane..................My 2000 Busa was the same way, I sat on top of it where I sit down in my 12's. The bars are higher, the seat is lower and the pegs are farther down from the seat compared to the busa and 14....................  The pegs may be close between the 12 and 14...................
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I'd Rather Be Roadracing.
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oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted February 21, 2008 06:44 PM
Shane,
Have you had a chance to ride a 14 yet? If not and I get to bring mine to Maxton you can make a pass on it to see if it feels different to you.
It may have something to do with the pegs being higher.
I do love them both and I'll be happy if the 14 brings me the good times and memories my 12 has.
Dan
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countersteer
Needs a job
Didn't read the owners manual
Posts: 2207
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posted February 21, 2008 06:55 PM
dan summed it up nicely, although i for one will not sell my 12.
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Scott
Long Island, New York
2006 ZX-14, 2003 ZX-12R
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Xtremespeed
Expert Class
Posts: 415
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posted February 21, 2008 07:08 PM
I loved my 12 and I miss it. Mostly for the looks though. The 14 is smoother and the torque is unbelievable. The pegs are slightly higher than the 12, but not enough to cramp my legs on long rides. Although it doesn't sound right, I can actually corner quite a bit harder on the 14, and a lot of 14 owners seem to report the same. I think the 12 is better looking, but the 14 is a better bike.
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When in doubt, Flick it!
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hotzxrod
Novice Class
Posts: 99
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posted February 21, 2008 07:30 PM
what!! the two bike are great! go for it you can,t go wrong
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tilthewheelsfalloff
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3boysand3bikes
Expert Class
Posts: 382
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posted February 21, 2008 08:48 PM
I bought the 14 first... and then sold the Busa.... After several months I realized that I really liked the 12 a lot. After a few more weeks I realized that I rode the 14 all of the time and just took a few laps on the 12. They are a lot different. I just couldn't justify keeping the 12 around for a few short rides. I miss it... but I have never been happier with any motorcycle that I have ever had. I am sure in a few years I will get the ZX-15... and wonder what to do with the 14. If you can afford to... keep the 12 and get the 14... if not.. I still suggest moving "up" to the 14. You will miss the 12, but you also will want to get off of the 14. When I bought it I rode home about 60 miles in a Thunderstorm... It was cold, dark and the roads were flooding... yet I wanted to ride it more. It is really a great all around bike. I also don't drag race... and don't care about the 'speed' all that much... but the braking, handling and long riding are superior to the 12. With the mods I've done, I still get a lot better gas mileage with the 14 than the modded 12. To each his own... that is just my input. Some people would prefer their Harley... so do whatever you like. You win either way IMHO.
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted February 22, 2008 06:16 AM
quote:
Shane,
Have you had a chance to ride a 14 yet? If not and I get to bring mine to Maxton you can make a pass on it to see if it feels different to you.
It may have something to do with the pegs being higher.
I do love them both and I'll be happy if the 14 brings me the good times and memories my 12 has.
Dan
I haven't had a chance to ride one yet, Dan. Thanks for the offer, I'd love to take you up on it sometime. :-) Racheal and I plan to attend every Maxton event again this year, hope to see you out there.
Shane
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brain
Expert Class
Posts: 136
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posted February 22, 2008 08:04 AM
Its funny the different perspectives that riders have on different bikes.I to always felt i was perched up on my 12 compared to sitting in a busa or the 14.Others have said the 02 12's and up handled better than the 14 and other say the opposite.The things everyone agrees on is the 14 has more power.torque,is more refined and feels lighter than it really is and has better brakes.Which leads me to the new Busa.In the past,the busa was no match for the 12 in the twisties,test after test showed the 12 to turn better lap times than the Busa when tested on a track.Now some are saying the 14 handles better than the 12 and from all reports,the new Busa handles better than the 14.My question is,has the Busa really changed that dramatically in the handling department or did it just get more motor.Or is all of this just different rider perspective.
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Hawkman
Zone Head
Posts: 747
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posted February 22, 2008 01:48 PM
I didn't trade in my 12. For a while I had both in my garage just like others here. One day I rode both of them back to back. I put the 12 up for sale the next day. I thought I would never sell that bike. I did, and I have no regrets. That's how much better the 14 is to me...once un-neutered that is. 
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bigwillie3236
Expert Class
Posts: 115
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posted February 22, 2008 06:58 PM
I sold my 12 to a riding buddy that really liked it until his job played out.He sold it to Bobs Honda in memphis Tn. 2 weeks ago. I heard he was back working now and looking for another 12 ! Great bike but the 14 is better !
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