JSmooth
Expert Class
Posts: 169
|
posted January 22, 2011 09:45 AM
 Edited By: JSmooth on 22 Jan 2011 17:48
Which do you like better and why?
I have a 2009 zx 14 but I wanted to ask a question about the two of what I call the best bikes on the planet. Which do you like better between the ZX 14 and Hayabusa whether be Gen I or Gen II and why? I know it comes down to preference but someone on here has researched these bikes more then I and have went either with 14 or Busa and I would just like to hear reasons in your choices. I hope this doesn't turn into a bash but things to look at from each persons views in hopes to learn something new. Keep in mind the two bikes not 1000cc. Base all your opions off of facts or experiences please.
  
|
kaw-rick
Pro
Posts: 1167
|
posted January 22, 2011 10:02 AM
zx14 and 2nd gen busa is a toss-up. cant go wrong with either of them. i prefer the zx14. just pick what you can get a good deal on and which 1 fits you. sit on both. and then look at which 1 looks the best to you.
|
JSmooth
Expert Class
Posts: 169
|
posted January 22, 2011 10:27 AM
yeah that is what i did I guess I should have asked a more indepth question as to performance wise,( e.g. mods, motor, dependability). BTW I own the 09 SE 14 because of the way it felt and the power and I was tired of always seeing a busa everywhere I went. Secondly I owned a Gen I Busa that leaked oil even after replacing the SC, then the bike would cut off on launches and wouild have to push start. After that I was done with Suzuki.
|
Big_T112
Pro
Posts: 1061
|
posted January 22, 2011 12:50 PM
You had one that had problems. I have owned several ZX14's Gen 1 Busa's and Gen 2 Busa's. The 14 hands down out performs the Gen 1, It is also now considered an old platform. I just like the way a 14 feels. It respomds well to bolt ons and is really a strong bike. My Gen 2 had the ti valves so you were limited on spray. ran really good. I didn't care for the cheap looking orange glow and number gauges on the As a married man with 3 daughters, One in colledge another one in High School and the thrid fixing to start driving also I have to do my bike shopping on a Budget. So I like the Gen 1 Busa. You can buy them cheap, There are more after market parts and the prices are cheap. I prefer turbo power and it's easy and cheap to make big power. I would do another 14 but since I am on a budget I choose a Gen 1 Busa because of the affordability.
|
Rook
Pro
Posts: 1125
|
posted January 22, 2011 12:58 PM
Edited By: Rook on 22 Jan 2011 21:07
quote:
....... I know it comes down to preference but someone on here has researched these bikes more then I and have went either with 14 or Busa and I would just like to hear reasons in your choices. ..........
I researched it so much I went out and bought an 08 busa a couple years after getting my 08 ZX-14. No difference in power which is the reason we get these bikes in the first place. Ireally can't tell. Stock, they felt the same. The busa is not modded yet. The 14 has the basics and it makes a big improvement.]]\ Here's the truth. I love both bikes. Still can't decide between the two.
The 14 has better brakes but the busa is adequate for the street. never found myself in a tight spot with braking on the busa. I am careful to avoid those situations. Have done a rear wheel stand from ~90 to 0 in a very short distance on the 14--maybe a little over 100 feet-- rear wheel off the ground the last 40 feet. Not even full braking power applied, I don't think. The busa may need a brake upgrade for track riding.
The busa has a smoother running engine. The power delivery is just as fierce as the 14 but the busa feels more under control. The 14's motor feels more raw edgy and exciting. The busa feels more stable over 140 mph. Still has not stopped me from doing my fastest top speed on the 14.
Steering is similar in character to power delivery. The busa definitely drops into a corner with a more neutral feel at high speed or parking lot speed. This is very confidence inspiring. The 14 seems to require my attention pretty much more in a corner even with the weight of the stock exhaust shed. Even so, I had cornered much harder on the stock 14 than I have on the stock busa. It will be interesting to see how they compare when I get the busa modded. The 14 is up to the task for twisties but I feel the weight of that bike in a corner more than I do the busa. I feel like I am constantly making tiny careful adjustments in balance with the 14 in a hard lean where the busa sails through more smoothly. Still, I guess I have learned to corner the 14 harder because the chicken strips tell the story. I can clean the 14's back tire on the right side and almost all of the left. The busa has big fat Cstrips all around.
Suspension on the bikes is about equal once set up properly for my weight. The busa has about an extra inch of wheel base and it does add to the smoothness over bumps. Both maintain good road contact when properly adjusted.
The stock busa has a couple racing features that the stock 14 lacks. The busa has an electronic steering damper and a slipper clutch. Personally, i would like to turn the slipper clutch off on the busa. I have not had need for a steering damper yet but if wheelies are going to be done with any regularity, a damper is a must. 8 fuel injectors on the busa instead of our 4 on the Kawi(for what that is worth?). The busa is more aerodynamic though I can't tell by riding. The riding position is slightly more aggressive on the busa. The busa has gear shift linkage rod like a track bike with rearsets. The shift and brake pedals are molded and look to be of higher quality. However, the 14 also has it's parts that seem to be of a higher quality as well. I think the fit and finish is a little better on the busa. A lot has to be given for the fit of the busa fairings but then again, that is what makes it hard to do routine maintenance on as well.
The busa runs a lot cooler.
The 14 is the best looking of the two bikes.
The 14 is a bit more comfortable and it is more of an experience to ride at high speed.
The busa has a wider connisuership and a wider aftermarket and I would expect better resale value.
If I'm in a hurry, I just sum it by saying the 14 is more savage and the busa is more refined. I haven't found that either has decisively made me go faster in any of the riding I do. There just two cool bikes.
|
epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
|
posted January 22, 2011 01:09 PM
Before I bought my 14 I was actually looking for a leftover 07 Busa. Went to a few stealerships and sat on both and what it came down to was the 14 was just a better deal at the time. Over a 1000 bux cheaper than a left over 07 Busa. Glad I ended up with the 14 and its been great.
____________
2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
|
Rook
Pro
Posts: 1125
|
posted January 22, 2011 01:20 PM
Edited By: Rook on 22 Jan 2011 21:22
I got my 14 not long after the Gen2 became available. Had a hell of a time picking. The 14 was 500$ less than a Gen2 busa. The 14 just looked better. I love the overall shape and the race readt raw looking brake fluid/clutch reservoirs got me. The busa council actually looked too fancied up to me.
There is something intangible about the 14 that makes it better to me. I enjoy both but I am more of a rider on the 14. Maybe it is just whatever one you pick first you develope a bond with. In spite of all the differences I have pointed out, they really are incredibly similar as we have been told all along. What is going to matter the most over the long haul is which do you like the look of best when you walk up to it.
|
JSmooth
Expert Class
Posts: 169
|
posted January 23, 2011 07:17 AM
Thanks guys most of your points are valid ones
|
Hellmutt
Needs a job
Posts: 2013
|
posted January 23, 2011 07:34 AM
Personally, never owned a Busa - so when I was looking at bigbore bikes, it was a no-brainer for me.......
Asthetically - ZX14 wins it hands down ( imo )
Power - both have it, so not much comparison to me
Popularity - i see way too many Busa's around here, got the 14 to be more unique
Reputation - Kaw has always been known for their superior power, so i had to go with the big Ninja
____________
British flying couch with endtables and an orange thumper
________________________________________________
|
01smokes
Needs a job
Posts: 2243
|
posted January 23, 2011 08:07 AM
i have both a 06 14 and a 08 gen 2 they are both awesome bikes,but if i had to pick just one i think i would have to go with the 14 the 14 is just a better riding bike it feels good and the brakes are crazy damn good compared to the booza lol
But if i were building a drag bike it would be the genII no doubt the aftermarket is just way better and parts are everywhere
____________
PayPal, vigilart22@yahoo.com
Email, artvgl@yahoo.com
|
1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
|
posted January 23, 2011 08:11 AM
Edited By: 1badzx12r on 23 Jan 2011 16:11
too many gosh darn busa's in this world ..
____________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
|
madnessracing
Pro
Vmax and Busa Beater
Posts: 1140
|
posted January 23, 2011 12:34 PM
Edited By: madnessracing on 23 Jan 2011 20:35
I had both bike at the same time 08 Busa and 07 14!! Now I only have the 14 and its because the busa is not too comfortable as the 14 and the clutch on the busa is not even close to the 14 So now I only own one and is the 14. :-) Oh and the brakes on the busa are like cardboards.
____________
Shorty's Performance
Team Madness Racing
|
01smokes
Needs a job
Posts: 2243
|
posted January 23, 2011 01:25 PM
the 2 bikes together
____________
PayPal, vigilart22@yahoo.com
Email, artvgl@yahoo.com
|
JSmooth
Expert Class
Posts: 169
|
posted January 24, 2011 02:29 PM
01smokes I really like your comparison as I have heard and read the same as you in comparison to drag racing and aftermarket parts. Like you I went with the 14 simply because of history of the bike and what it was designed to do. Any bike that can produce this kind of power and these numbers before adding A.M parts has my full attention. Trust me when I say I researched the hell out of both bikes,actually over a year one of which was spent in Iraq. Even if everyone else around me didn't have hayabusa's I still would have went with 14 merely because of Kawasaki's power. Here is why I decided on the 14 in order:
1) The look; reason being any bike that grabs your attention as soon as you walk in the door has my vote
2) Ride comfort ie. the riding position +1
3) When thinking back to the ZX-12 vs Gen I Hayabusa the ZX-12 was down almost 100cc and still capable of being within tenths of sec of beating the Hayabusa.
4) Research of the motor and what changes were made to produce and correct the low power in the ZX-12R to become the ZX-14
5) The brakes and transmission of the ZX-14 was by far way better than any other bike I have ridden.
6) The accessability to work on the bike as far as changing oil, clutches and so forth is easier than that of the Hayabusa.
7) I just don't like that so called seat cowl that looks like someone took a shat on it after running 4 miles.
Now here is what I do hope Kawasaki would do is come out with a 14R with some added features as discussed in other threads on this board. If not then I am still happy with my ZX-14. I would not trade or sell it unless they came out with a more dominating lighter ZX-14.
|
BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
|
posted January 25, 2011 06:41 AM
I have owned both bikes. When the 14 came out in 2006 I thought it was more comfortable, had better instruments and better braking that the six year old Busa. The Busa was initially quicker in a roll-on but the 14, with flies out, was more than a match.
The later versions of the 14 and the Mk2 Busa are more equal, the Kawasaki ECU mapping has been sorted and the Suzuki brakes are better. The 14 is still more comfortable but It's a matter of personal choice and might even come down to whether you have a good dealer near you.
____________
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)
|
Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
|
posted January 25, 2011 11:02 AM
In the 2011 Sport Rider buyers guide the ZX 14 retail price is listed 100 bucks less than the busa. Kawaski did a good job on taking much of the super bike buyer market. And the Kawi 1000 is 2400.00 less than the GSX 1000 in the guide.
____________
77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
|
entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
|
posted January 25, 2011 11:22 AM
If you are thinking of heavily modifying the motor and tweaking it for ever more power Busa is light years ahead of the 14.
That 12/14 style frame must have an advantage somewhere, but i never found it in 10 years of drag/landspeed racing my 12. It sure makes some simple tasks a PITA
____________
This moderator uses moderation in moderation
|
JSmooth
Expert Class
Posts: 169
|
posted February 02, 2011 06:20 PM
Entropy: Could this be because the ZX 14 has only been out for 5 years and finally catching the eyes of us speed freaks and Kawasaki die hard fans. Reason I say this very few loyal Kawasaki owners stayed with the ZX-11 and moved to the ZX-12 and once the 12 was taking it's losses no one really accounted for the power vs displacement that the 12 put out compared to the Haybusa and jumped shipped. That being said I guess I am bit guilty by buying a Busa back in 2005 only because the ZX12r was out of my price range at the time and so I bought a 2003 Busa for 9000 that had only 3400 miles on her. However in 2008 she was sold and I bought a 2009 ZX 14 and never, NEVER NEVER looked back. Now all I do is look back to see if the police are coming. LOL..
Seriously though the aftermarket parts are picking up as the ZX14 gains more and more popularity.
|
eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
|
posted February 02, 2011 06:54 PM
Jsmooth, the zx14 isn't just catching the eyes of speed freaks, it done that back in 2006. Ad if you are a die hard Kawasaki fan the 14 didint just catch your eye...
____________
Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
|
JSmooth
Expert Class
Posts: 169
|
posted February 03, 2011 07:41 AM
You are right it punched me in it, I have always loved the motors of Kawasaki's way back when I had my 1993 ZX6-E then I went up to the 2000 ZX-7R so when everyone was riding the hell out of their Suzuki's I was still riding my Kawasaki ZX-7R . I wanted the 2003 ZX-12R but since the funds were limited at the time and credit issues do to a bitter divorce I opted out for the 2003 Hayabusa for a better deal. As mentioned in the above statedment the Busa stayed in my stables for only a couple of years before she was sold. So naturally my bike of choice will always be KAWASAKI and that is the reason why I bought my ZX-14.
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC