animalrooster41
Parking Attendant
Posts: 12
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posted August 09, 2009 09:15 PM
FJR to ZX-14, coming to the dark side
Considering making the move from yamaha FJR 1300 to ZX-14. I have become acustom to the power in almost 4 months and 7k miles on the FJR and want more. My question is this: in 4 months did you guys feel the same way about your zx-14's?
  
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kaw now
Expert Class
Posts: 446
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posted August 09, 2009 09:41 PM
NO
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animalrooster41
Parking Attendant
Posts: 12
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posted August 09, 2009 09:57 PM
Is that "no" as in " I never get bored with this thing ever" or "no" as in "After a year and a half (not 4 months) I could see being bored?"
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zx-twitch
Expert Class
the dude abides
Posts: 247
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posted August 09, 2009 10:23 PM
you wont be bored. I have ridden a friends FJR and while for cruising I like it, compared to my 14 it is..... what's a nice way to say it???? anemic, gutless, neutered. well you get the idea
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted August 09, 2009 10:35 PM
If you get an 08-09 with the better bottom end power, you will be happy.
If yo get an 06-07 you will want to remove the secondary plates.
The 14 is an awesome long range hyper sport tour with gobs of power , ( step up from the FJR) unlike the 1000's you can ride the 14 all day.
My friend had an FJR and was always WAY WAY behind me.
I wanted a little more than the 14 next door...
If you gear it down 1 tooth on frt and put a good , (ie Brocks ) pipe and good map, you will be grinning forever...
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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Beondwacko
Expert Class
Posts: 393
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posted August 10, 2009 03:40 AM
I'm a little suprised to see that your also not looking at a new Connie. It's ergos are much closer to the FJR along with wind protection. The only thing I can see as a downfall for you on a ZX-14 would be the shorter range per fill up.
I rode an 07' FJR briefly once and to be honest, it's super comfy with great wind blocking but I too found it a bit sluggish and that was at the time that I was on an CBR1100XX. My 08' ZX pulls hard enough that it'll hurt your feelings in comparission to the FJR.
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08' Atomic Silver, PCIII, Brocks pipe,BMC, -1, strapped front end
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rich s
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posted August 10, 2009 06:36 AM
I have had my '07 with the flies still in for 1 year and am FAR from being bored.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted August 10, 2009 07:07 AM
quote:
I have had my '07 with the flies still in for 1 year and am FAR from being bored.
wow,
you are one of few with them still in,
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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animalrooster41
Parking Attendant
Posts: 12
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posted August 10, 2009 07:25 AM
Perfect then, it's settled as I stop for gas every 150 miles or so on long trips anyway. That's just what I wanted to hear! Next step is a test ride, then if nothing seems way out of place I'll be selling the FJR! It is so close to the new models coming out that I better not purchace anything until I see what is available for the new year. Who knows, maybe a new lightly turbo or supercharged version from the factory is in the future for all of us?
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Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
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posted August 10, 2009 07:46 AM
quote:
Perfect then, it's settled as I stop for gas every 150 miles or so on long trips anyway. That's just what I wanted to hear! Next step is a test ride, then if nothing seems way out of place I'll be selling the FJR! It is so close to the new models coming out that I better not purchace anything until I see what is available for the new year. Who knows, maybe a new lightly turbo or supercharged version from the factory is in the future for all of us?
AAAAH No!
Kawasaki didnt change the Connie and several other successful models for DECADES.
They arent going to put a lot of R & D money into the 14 in this economy.
They dont sell enough of them in good things.
Good news is you wont have any problem getting a year or 2 older unused model at deep discounts!!
I just got done with a little tour on my 14.
It isnt the same as a FJR or Connie for touring.
Setting up bags, bars, seat for 2 up for a long tour is time and money consuming.
Check out my list of mods below.
The single best mod was the custom built seat from Rich.
Well....., except when I do track days or rail canyons, then its the modified suspension.
____________
Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
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animalrooster41
Parking Attendant
Posts: 12
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posted August 10, 2009 08:01 AM
Beondwacko, the new connie is nice, but closer to the fjr in power then the zx-14. I have realized lately that my quest for long distance adventures is becoming out wieghed by the speed freak in me. I thought at 45 this would subside a little, I am pleasantly suprized to find out I was wrong. I decided I am willing to give up some comfort for the rush.
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animalrooster41
Parking Attendant
Posts: 12
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posted August 10, 2009 08:09 AM
Old guy, you are most likely right about the new models, but I hope you are wrong. I never 2 up anywhere so that wont be a issue. I will miss wind protection and highway pegs.
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rich s
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posted August 10, 2009 08:58 AM
Dub,
They are due to come out as I do get sick of insta-power at 5g's. I am just scared of how fast I will go through tires. $450 installed every 4500 miles with them still in 
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted August 10, 2009 09:05 AM
 Edited By: dubious on 10 Aug 2009 19:30
Yes, it will scrub the rubber right off the tire, kind of like tyhe ERASER of an elementry schools stundent learning to do math!
I changed my tire with every oil change at 2500 km! LOL
I like the predictability of the flies out, railing a corner going through the revs with the sudden hit at 6K was a little unnerving, the blackies while leaned over were cool, but doing them at 4000 rpm predictably and purposefully was better.
Its not that bad if you aren't a bad boy! LOL
Instant torque and no need to downshift , ability to squirt out of trouble, as well as wicked low rpm launches really makes it the machine it was meant to be before the Green Lawyers got involved.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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kaw now
Expert Class
Posts: 446
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posted August 10, 2009 11:01 AM
Animalrooster my third summer with the bike and its not boring. I looked and see you are Utah so thats high altitude and is going to take a lot out of the bike. If I were you I would put a nice full system on it. I used a Yoshimura though no one likes them on bikeland but they are quiet and smooth and deliver near the power of the others- not an issue for me if I leave a couple off. Also gear it down 1 tooth up front at least.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted August 10, 2009 11:27 AM
Kaw now, we are a fan of you, even though we're not a fan of your pipe, 
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natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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kaw now
Expert Class
Posts: 446
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posted August 10, 2009 11:32 AM
Thanks Dubious I feel better now.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted August 10, 2009 11:34 AM
Edited By: dubious on 10 Aug 2009 19:34
Glad to make your day bro! 
LOL
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natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
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posted August 10, 2009 12:09 PM
Kaw Now, I have the Yosh full system and love it. The fit and finish and quality is excellent!!I still want to put it on the dyno sometime to see what it does. I still have the flies in and the power still makes me grin everytime I twist it.
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2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
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