HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted November 19, 2008 05:44 PM
Hello From HiMile
Good Day all,
It's been almost a year since my last post and I wanted to say hello. I'm still working 166 miles from home and doing pretty well. I do check out the website and Fish you have never let me down on new products pics, best site on the internet and I wanted to take this time to say I appreciate your efforts.
I updated my stable last April and bought a Red 07 VFR/ABS, I wanted a little added safety to my long daily ride and I must admit I must have gotten a bike that was built on Tues-Thurs, this VFR shifts almost as smooth as the ZX-14. I still have the 02 VFR, I just can't let that bike go. It had the entire wiring system replaced last Aug and runs better then ever today. Clean Electronics who of thought it would make such a difference.
I took a long look at the green 09 ZX-14 at the dealer the other day, now that fuel is more reasonable price I'm starting to have feelings...again. I'm not willing to buy a new bike in the next year, I'll lose too much money on the 07 VFR but I suspect if gas remains low maybe I'll start looking for a used ZX-14.
I hope everyone is doing well, and Smokin that's one sweet looking bike Congrats on the new ride.
Take care All
Rob
02 VFR 115,100 miles
07 VFR 22,699 miles
  
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted November 19, 2008 07:35 PM
HiMile, good to hear from you again 
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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3Boysand3Bikes
Expert Class
Posts: 382
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posted November 19, 2008 09:13 PM
Welcome 'back'... It sure doesn't seem like that long.. but you have 22,000 miles to prove it. As I am sure you have seen... not too much around here has changed. (Except for the 8 or 10 bikes that smokin now has in his garage...) Good hearing from you. You take care and keep us updated on when you get back on a 14.
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted November 20, 2008 05:02 PM
Steve and 3 boys,
You know it's nice that not much has changed. I know most of the people here are pretty dam informed and you know for the most part good people. Sure the smack is thrown around from time to time but I have to admit it's entertaining to me.
It's been a while since I've taken a trip on the bike, my new job does not offer Vacation until after 2 years. Maybe I'll post my next trip, try to entertain you all.
Take care all
Rob
PS
Smokin....I love having 2 bikes, even though they are the same I'll bet they have different personalities.
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted November 21, 2008 05:35 AM
i bet if you had kept the 14 it would be the first to 100k , keep on truckin
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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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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted November 21, 2008 04:22 PM
bigdtd,
I did my homework.
Lets play like I never bought the 06 VFR. I sold that puppy at 20,836 miles. I sold the ZX-14 with 28,850 miles so together that puts us at 49,686 miles. OK the 07 VFR carries 22,699 miles so that pushes the number of miles to 72,385 miles. Now that is the total number of miles from the newest steed.
Now, Lets say that I'd traded my 02 VFR at the time bought the 06 ZX-14 and added those miles to the 06 ZX-14. I would have to subtract my (May 2006) 02 VFR total of 83,248 miles from the current odo of 115,267 miles which equals 32,019 miles. The total number of miles that the 2006 ZX-14 would have on her would be.......
104,404 miles.
So yes if I would have kept 1 motorcycle for 2.5 years I would in fact have over 100K on that bike.
Rob
07 VFR 22,699 miles
02 VFR 115,267 miles
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted November 21, 2008 05:01 PM
you are the mileage king. imagine how smooth a broken in 14 with over 100k would be, just getting broken in and all........
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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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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted November 22, 2008 03:06 AM
 Edited By: HiMile14 on 22 Nov 2008 11:12
You know at the risk of sounding like I'm Bragging I must admit there is something about riding a motorcycle with over 100,000 miles on her.
I know more about her than the average bear about everything. If there is a strange Vibe I know the chain may be getting long, tire may have lost a weight or the PSI is high and in most cases low. All the above I've had happen to me. I know when the fork oil needs to be changed as I stop and the stop is not as smooth as normal.
The bike with 100,000 miles needs love, and not just the expected maintenance although that love can not be ignored. But the Love of riding often, as an example this week I took a nice 200 mile ride on Sat. then I rode her to work on Friday. She told me in a small puff of oil smoke that this better not become a habit. As long as I ride her every other day she does not seem to spout off as much. I normally ride the 02 every Fri & the weekend. I try to get on her Weds to do little odd jobs around the house and she seems pretty good about that.
As far as the ride goes From me to you all the VFR is a very nice bike but she never really compared to the ZX-14. The Smoothness and Power of the ZX-14 cannot be compared. I remembered getting off the ZX and on the VFR and the mirrors vibrated badly and the ride just was not as smooth as the ZX. You know I really understand why Busa owners who give the ZX a chance and like to tour if they are honest with themselves know the Kaw is the better bike.
Why did I sell the Kaw? 2 main reasons and my mileage helps prove this. In most cases I could only get 42 MPG out of her. A couple times I could squeeze 44 but that was rear. The VFR carries 47-52, and I know 5-7 miles per gallon does not sound like much but it adding up to an extra 3-4 dollars per day times 6 days a week well that starts to get costly. The 2nd reason was the ZX demanded a tune up every 15,000 miles. I suspect I could have gone further but here is where the VFR really shines bright, I tuned the 02 up for the 1st time after 87K. Even then the engine was within spec but 2 buckets were worn and I knew things were not right MPG in the mid 30's.
My thinking on tune-ups is as follows, provided your not burning more fuel than normal, performance is not suffering (and don't fool yourself on this one) or the bike is not burning oil Just Ride. The ZX performance started to fail about 12-13K, and I really could tell but it would be easy to ignore. I posted my results of the first Tune-up and it was out of spec I think November 2006. Well I really did not want to drop 400 dollars every 5 months. Should have gone to school to teach myself how to do this. He-he.
You know I've read a couple of post in the past on which fuel to use. Although I wanted to post, but I figured most do not know me from Dick so I did not comment. Here is my thinking,
87 Oct will work but the engine will talk back and my MPG did not improve in fact it placed 2nd.
89 Oct For my ZX-14 this fuel worked best. I did not hear the engine talk back and I got my best MPG with this fuel.
93 Oct I really could not tell a difference in performance between mid-grade and hi-test and my MPG was the worst with this fuel.
Just my opinion stick with Mid-grade and I think you'll be fine.
See what I'm like when I find a little time. Makes me want to go get that 09 on the showroom floor and back my thoughts up with pics.
Take care All
Rob
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted November 23, 2008 06:31 AM
"The ZX performance started to fail about 12-13K, " That was you needing a new set of plugs! Lots of folks have noticed the bike getting weak after extended use and the plugs were the culprit. I don't doubt your other valve adjustment need were a contributor, but new plugs do make a hell of a difference.
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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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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted November 23, 2008 07:01 AM
cool! Good to hear from you! 
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted November 23, 2008 03:54 PM
Bigdtd,
You know I have to agree with your statement. I didn't think I would have any issues with the Plugs, I mean most bikes I've owned with my kind riding typically doubles the suggested miles between Plug changes. Not the ZX-14, I remember the tech telling me that the plugs looked like they needed to be replaced and after review I agreed.
Maybe it has to do with the heat this engine generates, but at 15 K my plugs were close to toast.
I think the website keeps all Threads it might be worth the effort to search Hi-Mile Tune Up or something like that. I know I took the ZX in on Oct 25, 2006 and I would have built the thread I'm guessing about a week later. I took photos of the plugs and paperwork of the valve adjustments, I suspect they may be removed by now.
FISH... How are you doing? Hope everythings going well up North. Are you still riding a 14 or have you moved on? Hey seriously thanks for posting the new motorcycles, I know this takes up a lot of your time and I don't know how you get pics No One else has but some how you do.
Great Job
Rob
07 VFR 22,704 miles
02 VFR 115,298 miles
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted November 23, 2008 05:01 PM
smokin races his 06 almost exclusively and one run after 800+ passes he thought he hurt it. it was running rough and he just knew something let loose. well it was the plugs. after putting the new ones in he had to adjust the idle down over 200 rpm. the mileage was approx. 2500+/_ but most were wfo. mine has 8500 mostly street miles on it and is running great but i am making an appointment with smokin to change them out as soon as possible. i am convinced the new plugs will wake things up. i will post as soon as i get em in to note the differences.
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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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