brooksie
Parking Attendant
Posts: 23
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posted January 19, 2012 06:53 AM
General Upkeep Recommendations
Hi crew. It's been a while. Been riding the 2008 quite a bit and it's time to start replacing some things and maybe doing some upgrades. I've done some searches here, especially on exhaust options, but there's a couple of things I wanted to ask.
1) Which tires would you recommend for street use, primarliy using the bike as a SPORT touring bike. The stock tires seemed just a bit unstable under moderate load while cornering. I don't put much more than a set of soft bags/tail trunk on the bike and carry only about 20 lbs. when fully tripping.
2) Would you recommend using a K&N air filter? Which leads to...
3) Which aftermarket silencers will work good on the bike, removing weight and giving some extra sound? I am very impressed with the Brocks items I've seen, but do not want a load bike for around town and long rides.
4) With the tires being done, are there any suspension settings that I can use for this bike, moderately aggressive cornering sport touring style, 170 lb rider?
I know this is a lot to ask, but I've been searching the site and have some ideas, just wanted some feedback from the experts.
  
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atldude
Expert Class
Working on it...
Posts: 126
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posted January 19, 2012 07:33 AM
My 2 cents:
1) I run the Angel STs and I can't be happier. I switched the rear for a 190/55 (not much of a price difference) and it made a good difference in handling. Drops easier in the corners. The Angels are an awesome tire. I don't ride like a maniac but I did get a track day and 8000 miles (many times in the twisties!) from my last set (which was 190/50 so I expect more from my 190/55) I was just out in the twisties with my new set Sunday last week in 38 weather and grip was great! I would recommend them without any hesitation.
2) I have BMC but honestly I could not feel the difference since I am still; running stock exhaust and mainly cause I like how quiet it is ;-) bike's got plenty of power for me and it is hard to justify buying new exhaust.
4) I had mine stup by the the guys @ Traxxion Dynamics. I have slightly tweaked a couple of things but overall it made a world of difference from stock settings. The thing with that is that it's different for every rider and I would recommend you get that done by a professional. That way they can tune it to your weight etc.
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted January 19, 2012 08:46 AM
 Edited By: bigdtd on 19 Jan 2012 16:47
1) I like the michelin pilot power 2 ct this tire is phenomenal
2) I have the BMC street filter which should be good for the life of the bike with a few cleanings, it flows as good as no filter in performance tests
3)anything brocks makes is first rate i have the street meg, if you are just doing slip ons perhaps area p would be a good choice
4) find a suspension guy in your area, I got this local guy Chad who has done a lot of roadracing to set my 2006 ZX-14 up for me 6'2" 260 and it made all the difference in the world in handling and keeping the front end down, he charged me $50 and it was some of the best money spent on my bike
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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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Seno
Pro
BANNED FOR LIFE!
Posts: 1230
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posted January 19, 2012 01:43 PM
+1 Michelin pilot power 2ct... Love them & they last a long time
K&N, BMC are both good brands... If you get either one the differences are negligible
+1 Brocks pipes are great, and his support is second to none...
Find a local guy or maybe check the local tracks, bike nights, meets or whatever to setup the suspension properly. When I had my 07 setup, I used Racetech springs but I am about 50lbs heavier than you... Probably will be fine with the stock components dialed in properly.
Good luck!
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2012 Black 14R -> Completely done!
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Rob7R
Expert Class
More balls than brains.
Posts: 190
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posted January 19, 2012 06:26 PM
+ 1 on the Pirelli Angels.
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Current bike- 07 ZX14 black with D&D cans, PC3, 43t rear sprocket, 6 inch extensions, roaring toys lowering links. Muzzy Bonneville Pro, TRE Velocity stacks, Puig DB windscreen, Sargent seat, Heli-risers, and throttlemeisters.
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted January 19, 2012 06:33 PM
Ons thing about the brocks pipesis if it's too loud, you can get a silencer for them
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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epd345
Pro
Posts: 1494
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posted January 19, 2012 07:12 PM
Angels are great tires, got 6k out of mine. Pilot Road II's are great tires also. I run a BMC race filter. I recommend cleaning it every 3k though because zx14's suck up everything through the ram air. I also dropped the rear sprocket to a 40T which drops the RPM's slightly on the highway. Exhaust choice is up to you but I would go with a full system with a proper map with PC III and you will definetly get a increase in HP. Good luck and post up some pics.
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2012 ZX14, Ceramic Coated Brock's CT Meg, PCV, throttlemeister
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LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
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posted January 20, 2012 04:07 AM
Suspension set up...
Brooksie:
Since other guys have already covered the tires and other questions you had I am only commenting on question # 4 since you and I are around the same weight (170lbs) Here you go with the settings I ran on my '07 14 (same suspension as your '08). I used my bike for tons of back road work and sport touring including solo trips exceeding 500 miles.
Front Suspension Settings:
• Preload: 5 lines
• Compression: 6 clicks out from full stiff
• Rebound: 4 clicks out from full stiff
Rear Suspension Settings:
• Preload: 176mm
• Compression: 1 3/4 turns out from full stiff
• Rebound: 2 turns out from full stiff
Just for comparison, I went back to the August 2006 road test of the ZX14 in Sport Rider to see what settings they had on the bike and ironically, we came about the same at the rear settings and they (SR) where significantly lower on pre load, 7 lines vs. 5 lines and compression damping, 10 clicks out from full stiff vs. 6 for me, so I guess their test riders are probably in the 150-160 lb range.
Hope this helps you out bro.
Leo
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'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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phatphil
Parking Attendant
Posts: 16
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posted January 22, 2012 04:57 PM
I ain't no expert but my thoughts...
Stock tires suck. Really didn't like them, especially as they wore. PR2's have been awesome from new to done.
Using Yosh R-77 with silencers in. Sound is really nice especially after some miles on em.
Been using stock air filter. Seems fine?
Set my sag in ballpark (I think) but sitting/standing up and down to where felt right. Set front damping to what felt right. Set rear compression damping to where felt right, Lastly, fine tune everything with rear rebound damping. I found rear rebound the final key to get the bike to turn in, adjust/hold line just right. Not very scientific and it took me forever to know what does what to the handling. The rear rebound screw is a pain to reach and that stock exhaust is fricken way hot. But getting it all to how you like is totally worth it. The bike's handling becomes so smooth and easy into, in and outta corners if it's not already....
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brooksie
Parking Attendant
Posts: 23
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posted January 22, 2012 07:55 PM
Thanks a LOT guys! There is just so little about my bike in print anymore, and with the new beast coming out, it will get hard to find info on the bike. The feedback from this will let me really get the bike set up the way I want it. This is the best bike I've ever owned (over 25 bikes in 40 years of riding) and I really don't see getting another one that will provide the thrills and confidence I get from it, except maybe a 2012 type in a few years. I don't really need more power and am not sure about the electronics on the new one. either way, once you go hyper, you can never go back! Thanks again for the feedback and I hope to start spending more time here during the off season!!
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conn-e-rot ninja
Novice Class
Posts: 92
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posted January 24, 2012 07:19 AM
I ran the angel st's and now I'm using the avon storm II ultra I like these a lot more than the angels. The dry traction is great and the wet traction is amazing I've got a little over 4k on the set and they are showing very little wear.
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2007 zx14
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brooksie
Parking Attendant
Posts: 23
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posted January 24, 2012 03:14 PM
Edited By: brooksie on 24 Jan 2012 23:30
quote:
I ran the angel st's and now I'm using the avon storm II ultra I like these a lot more than the angels. The dry traction is great and the wet traction is amazing I've got a little over 4k on the set and they are showing very little wear.
I had Avons on my departed Daytona 955 really liked them. Amazing in the rain as well. I also put a set on the Ducati GT1000 I traded in on the ZX. They were like putting basketball shoes on a mule. The tires were better than the bikes performance.
I ordered the mufflers from Area P today. Got them with 2.00 core and pipe for street use. They are telling me that it will drop 16lbs. from the bike and not require any mods to fueling and will provide some manly rumble. All this is good. Ordered a BMC filter as well, so it looks like a good spring already!
Back to tires: are the Michelin tires as firm in the sidewall as sport touring tires? Pure sport tires can sometime leave a little to be desires in bump absorbing. I know getting the suspension tuned will help. I'm thinking most any tire will be better than the stockers, except in a straight line. Also, has anyone used 180/55's on one of these beast? Feedback?
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brooksie
Parking Attendant
Posts: 23
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posted November 29, 2013 12:39 PM
In Case You Are Riding a 2008....
I just wanted to update folks who are riding the 2008.
The Area P slip ons are great. I've had them on for two seasons now and they are broke in well. They are a bit louder than I anticipated, but still very acceptable in city use. I lost 16 lbs. with the slip ons and dropped 20lbs off my butt, so she handles like a ZX10 now (LOL). Don't be upset that I am resurrecting this old post but I don't plan on EVER getting rid of this bike unless I get a newer 14.
Put the Avons on and 7k miles on them they still are in good shape.
Putting a Sargent modular seat on it now and looking forward to a great off season getting her ready!
Take care, fast riders, and have a great winter!!
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cliffrandall
Zone Head
Posts: 757
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posted November 29, 2013 06:20 PM
Dunlop Q3's seem to have been built for the ZX-14R, IMO they are absolutely fabulous tires,190 rear of course.....Stock set-up wise, after the show stuff was over and once we returned to the proper street ride height (similar 170lbs) the best 'twisty' set-up I could get (5,500klms of testing) came with my bike as stiff as she goes, front and rear, I dialed up the rear spring as well - too soft as is......Frankly, I think it's pretty damn good for what we have here, a big street bike.
Cliff
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Lsantana954
Expert Class
Posts: 356
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posted November 30, 2013 05:14 PM
im on the continental sport attacks 2 tires and love them! I was able to get just over 13K on the first front tire and currently over 8k on the rear. they def raised my confidence level on the twisties.
As far as filter you cant go wrong with the BMC
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'12 Gully Blue ZX14
-PCV/Guhl ECU/Blue CT Meg/<0 Alyson Oil/+8 Evil Arm/+1 Rear Sprocket
'07 Acura TL-S
'87 Buick Grand National
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