ZX14 Road Race build Crashing Sucks (images fixed) @ ZX-14.com

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redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:28 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 18:29

ZX14 Road Race build Crashing Sucks (images fixed)

Grab your reading glasses and a drink!

Back in early Sept 2011 I got a ZX14 with intent to make a road racing bike and it was an upgrade for me from a 2006 636 setup for Road Racing tracks.
I picked up the 2008 ZX14 with 3500 miles and here were the "upgrades":
Driving lights mounted on the side of front fender
Sponge grips
Battery tender plug
helibar risers
Vortex rear sets
Memphis Shades double bubble
Aftermarket adjustable kickstand
Suspension setup for a smurf, lowered 3" front and 3" rear (I was bottoming out everywhere!)

After I got it I simply added some shogun no-cut frame sliders (mistake) to the sides and set the stock suspension up to max height and adjusted compression, rebound, damping etc. for my weight and road race riding style. Then I got a Sargent modular seat, but not much to write home about really, and the bike actually was performing somewhat sluggish from when I test road a 2006 ZX14 a year earlier. What really sold me on the ZX14 when I test road it was that I remember pulling out of the gas station for my first ride in 2nd Gear and the power put me back in the seat like 6'2" and 200+ lbs. was just a rag doll. I peed a little with excitement I think and knew I had to have this bike. The bike I test road was an 06 with full OE exhaust, Secondary plates removed and it was very strong and handled well.

Fast forward to 2011 Sept, I bought the bike and picked up full coverage insurance too. 30 days later an SUV was tailing me aggressively close on my way to work on the ZX14 and put me in panic mode coming up to a red light. I thought he was going to smash into me and I had no idea what his intentions were so; I made three lane changes in less than 100 yards and he followed me the entire time getting closer to me each time. I thought for sure he was going to nail me and on the last lane change to the far left lane from center I went watching my rear mirror as he sped up again to smash me I stood the bike up straight and just got on the binders.

This bike had about 5k miles on it by then (I put 1500 on it in 30 days) and I was still running stock tires the 014 Bridgestone Battleaxes. On at least 2 or 3 separate occasions I was practicing my front end loading/panic braking moves to get comfortable with the extra 460 lbs. of bike I was moving around. The 636 was 397+lbs wet and this ZX14 is more like 900+lbs wet. So I pushed the front end several times. The first time I pushed the entire front end at full left bar lock about 2 bike lengths. The rear tire was flat enough down the center I just balanced my way out of a crash and the front end came back to me after giving a little gas. I completely blew my turn and slide right through the empty intersection. The pavement was wet, maybe that's why it slid so bad. Then I tried it on the dry and same thing. I pushed the front end and let it slide only a few inches this time not trying to counter steer so I didn't go to bar lock this time, just very controlled except the front end was not getting traction. After explaining to a lot of 14 owners what I was experiencing they said the first move I should make is to get rid of the 014 Bridgestone’s and get some Michelins. I run all tire brands. I favor Bridgestone’s on the 636 and Pilot Power Michelins on the ZZR 600. It just depends on the bike and setup I think. So I did go buy a pair of 2CT Michelins for the ZX14. I never put them on though because I was lazy.

Needless to say when I stood the bike up and got on the binders, I wanted to lane split so the SUV did not run me down and I'd land safely between the center and left lanes. That's what I'd do on the 636 reliably in that same situation. This didn't work because the front end locked up and pushed/slid AGAIN and crossed me up big time which I can handle, but the rear swung out so far my lane split failed and my right leg slammed into the left rear of a Honda Accord cracking the bumper and sending my rear end back around to the left now and pitching me superman style over the bars and putting the bike down on its right side. I remember sliding stiffly down the road and looking behind me waiting for the SUV to just run me right over, bike and all, but he stopped finally after I crashed and watched me slide out in front of him on the ground bike and all. Bike went towards the curb and I slid straight up the lane a bit, relaxed and stopped sliding right away. I was fine, armor head to toe like I usually do so I got up and blew my right shoulder trying to lift the ZX14 like I would a 600. BIG MISTAKE! I had to turn around and squat it up. Adrenaline was pumping so I wasn't thinking clearly about how to lift 1000lbs of bike completely on its side. The 600 I'd just flip right up no big deal.

I push the bike out of traffic and through the intersection into a empty parking lot and proceed to assess the damages…

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:29 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 17:48

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:33 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 17:49

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:34 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 17:51

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:35 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 17:52

JZX

Zone Head
Posts: 943

posted November 30, 2011 08:35 AM

Lay off the SHROOMS buddy..
____________
06 ZX14 65"

Best 1/8 mile 5.68@126.4 on a 1.41 60'
Best 1/4 mile 8.87@152.7 on a 1.47 60'

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:35 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 17:53

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:37 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 17:57

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:38 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 17:58

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:44 AM

quote:
Lay off the SHROOMS buddy..

LOL wait for it... Here comes the upgrades...

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:45 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 17:59

so with what happen using the single engine mount frame slider, I decided to get LSL Spiegler dual mount and crash pads because the ability to absorb impact and the weight of the machine is more important to me. The bigger they are the harder they fall, right?

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:48 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 18:00

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:50 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 18:01

I was pretty sure the ad for this bike said secondary throttle body butterflies removed.

After just 5k miles the plugs and air filter were "junk"

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:51 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 18:02

Also I started removing the rubber insulation and noise damping material. In FL there is no reason to have your motorcycle run anti-freeze with glycol or use any kind of heat insulation. It's just not necessary.

redlinejoes

Novice Class
Posts: 61

posted November 30, 2011 08:52 AM

Edited By: redlinejoes on 30 Nov 2011 18:02

One of the upgrades to the road racing setup are a set of folding, length adjustable, and remote brake fade adjusting levers with custom engraving for +1 "red mist riding"