HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted November 06, 2011 06:02 AM
Non ZX-14 question
A quick story from 2006: (as I recall)
At Bike week in Daytona, Kawasaki pulled out all the stops by having about (12) ZX-14 ready to test ride. Well I wondered but truly was not in the market to buy a new bike. That was until I rode that Beast, I remember how much smoother and rock steady that bike was in comparing it to the VFR.
At first I was on the fence but then I found Bikeland, more specifically the ZX-14.com Forum. I joined and understanding who I am, the quickest 1/4 mile stats mean nothing to me, I just want to ride and from time to time spiritedly. I love touring but my 160 lb frame, prefers a bike that I can ride into a crowded city without dread of a heavy bike on a hot day. Well the ZX-14 fits that bill perfect. I enjoyed owning the ZX14 for a year and a half until I took a job 85 miles from my house.
The Kawasaki got about 38 mpg vs. my VFR's 50+ and working 6 days a week found myself leaning more on the VFR. Finding a used VFR with 100 miles on it even trade for a ZX-14 with 28 K well ZX-14 was gone.
Question: How many people have switched bikes since 2006 but stayed with the ZX-14 Forum? I think this may be the best forum on the net today. Understanding some forums get hot then fade away.
For some reason the people here and I think Fish keep it fresh. Thanks to all who read my writing and keep it up. Rob
  
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Beondwacko
Expert Class
Posts: 393
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posted November 06, 2011 06:12 AM
85 miles is a crappy commute. Even in Florida. 170 miles r/t,,,,,,,, I'm sure the viffer is just fine with that.
I still have my 08' but I don't get too much time to ride it. I think I managed 2,200 miles last year. I'm still here, mostly in the background, wishing I could do some of the things these guys do (1/4 mile goofiness). I try when I can but I'm tied up in many other things. Otherwise, my bike would be set up for 9 second passes or better.
____________
08' Atomic Silver, PCIII, Brocks pipe,BMC, -1, strapped front end
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted November 06, 2011 07:30 AM
Well my weapon of choice for going to work or street riding is My Vstrom, the 14 saw a total of 10 miles on the street this season.
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Big_T112
Pro
Posts: 1061
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posted November 06, 2011 12:13 PM
My current work ride is a older Civic Hatchback VX. rated at 50 mpg but the best I have ever got is 44 mpg. about 42 with your foot in it. No power steering, no powerbrakes, it does have A/C and not a whole lot of power.
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LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
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posted November 06, 2011 12:25 PM
Switched bikes...
Hi Mile:
I remember your posts from back when you had your 14. Back then I had a '07 14. I have since sold it and like others making do with 4 wheels for now. I am getting a 14R in 2012, but slogging along in a VW for now as no bike in the garage is weird, but what I had to do. Btw, I had a '04 VFR before the 14 and it was a great bike except for a total lack of....mid-range grunt. (Why I got the 14) In fact a 1st gen 14 is very much like a VFR, but with balls. Do everything well bike, but much faster.
As you well know 14's do great on the road and the 14R has many road trip miles planned once it shows up.
Leo
____________
'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted November 06, 2011 01:21 PM
Leo,
My ZX-14 was an outstanding bike still have my Nebraska photo as my screen background. I do miss the grunt and to this day and I believe the 14 handled better then the VFR.
Problem I had was filling up the bikes daily the VFR would take 3.4 Gallons per day and the ZX-14 was 4.3 gallons per day which equaled about an extra 3.50-4 dollars a day X 6 days a week.
Keep in mind that my VFR was closing in on 100,000 miles and even though it had not given me any trouble the question was still there. The even trade seem to make sense to me at the time.
I thank you for remembering my write ups, I felt like a reporter at the time an I really enjoyed riding the country and reporting back. You know I would like to buy another ZX-14 one day, I suspect once my new VFR is paid off I could consider a used one. It's hard to believe that these puppies are almost 6 years old (next May he he) thought I forgot eh. If economic conditions stay as it has for the past 6 years I don't know if I will ever buy new, but Lord knows I will try.
Thanks again.
Rob
02 VFR 121,299 miles Hoping to have this running this week sometime....Promises promises
09 VFR 22,591 miles
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