Rook
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posted February 03, 2009 08:13 AM
 Edited By: Rook on 3 Feb 2009 16:13
Jumped on a 14, now what?
When I bought my bike, it was a difficult decision between the 08 ZX-14 or the ’08 busa. Thinking they were equal in performance, the 14 won me over by a very slim margin on looks. I know that will surprise a lot of you guys. Let me remind you, it was really hard to pick. Even when it comes to looks, there are equal likes and dislikes between the two IMO.
It wasn’t long after I bought the bike that information started turning up that had me a little disappointed. The new 14 was a blast but then I start hearing all this 08 busa performance stats and I started to wish I would have waited a couple months before I made the decision. I’m sure you all know the story but heres what I’m talking about:
*0-186mph 1.5 seconds faster than the 14.
*Peak hp and tq are similar but the busa’s numbers always seems to be higher in the same tests. I have heard several 14 riders coment on how easily their buddies seem to loft the front on their busas where the 14 has to have some effort put into it.
*Faster in the ¼ mile by a couple 100/second.
*Dyno charts show a steady increase in power from idle almost up to redline. The 08 14 starts to taper off after 8.5K rpm.
*Slightly higher compression.
*Better handling and cornering at high speed.
*Better suspension
*Better aerodynamics.
*Self adjusts a/f ratios to compensate for aftermarket exhaust.
*Better gas mileage.
*Cool speed hump.
*Analogue fuel and temp gauges are nice.
*Scraper pegs that look like they could actually survive contact with the road.
The busa just seems to be better set for sport riding even before mods.
The drawbacks as compared to the 14 are:
*Brakes are not as strong – but they are easily upgraded.
*Less comfortable riding position and some harder vibrations at highway speeds. Both of these are tolerable. Comfort wasn’t a big issue to me.
So help me out. Perhaps some of you have ridden both bikes. Do you think there’s enough difference to justify my purchase of an 08 busa or will I be just as happy with either bike after mods?
I hope we can have a lot of back and forth commenting on this topic because this would be an even bigger decision after I already went and dumped 11K$ on the 14.
Rook
  
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tnchip
Expert Class
Posts: 164
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posted February 03, 2009 06:30 PM
I owned a 07 14 and now have a 08 Busa.There was a six month period when I had both
and performance wise it is truly a tie.14 has much better brakes,lights for night riding,
smoother motor and is much easier to do routine maintenance.Oil change with no
bodywork removal,kudos to Kaw for that.Busa has more of a sportbike feel,less of a
sport/tour feel.Stiffer springs on the Bus feel good on the curves but not on long rides.
You said brakes could be easily upgraded,I think if you check into to new rotors and calipers you will be surprised at the cost.
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Rook
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Posts: 1125
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posted February 03, 2009 08:17 PM
Thankyou, tnchp. It sure helps to hear an honest assessment. You see, I can't see letting go of the 14 even if the busa was just a tiny bit faster. I'd have both like you did and probabley keep the 14 as the main road bike. The busa, I would see becoming a turboed 230mph+ landspeed machine.
'course there's no reason the 14 couldn't get turboed and function as both a comuter and a hypervelocity rocket. I still love that busa but do I really need it if turbo comes into the picture?? I could much better afford to just turbo the 14 than buy a whole new bike as well as turbo it.
I am also thinking very seriously about the 09 GSX-R 1000. I've had some advice from a trusted friend that going with that and turboing the 14 would be the best use of cash.
I have more ideas but I don't want to dump all my thoughts on one post. Hard for people to respond to a ton of questions all at once.
Rook
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tnchip
Expert Class
Posts: 164
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posted February 04, 2009 02:41 PM
I have no first hand knowledge of the "hair dryers" so I cant help you with that.
Spend most of my ride time on the TN backroads and turbos dont help.
If your thinking about a 1000 for curves you should look hard at the new R1.
If you want to drag I think the ZX-10 or the GSXR.
Good luck
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Bluebyyou
Expert Class
Gettin My Curve On
Posts: 276
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posted February 04, 2009 05:08 PM
Ummmmm Rook,
I see ya cheating on your 14 and flirting with the Busa.
____________
2007 Bad to the Bone ZX-14 flies out, full Muzzy exhaust system, PC III, BMC race
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whitehendrix
Zone Head
fails!
Posts: 757
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posted February 04, 2009 07:12 PM
i love boost. you can easily double your power output with minimal work.. on the 14, i hear removing te flies is an absolutely stellar move.
i sadly haven't ridden the new busa or a 14 yet.. only have experience on a 241WHP '05 busa to compare the feel to.
back to turblows tho (A.D.D. is soo fun!) the only problem is that everyone wants 80 million bucks for their turbo kits it seems.. you can easily piece a badass system together and do it all yourself for half the price of a bolt-on Muzzy's kit.. if not WAY cheaper.
my biggest investment in building my turbo'd 7-R will be buying a TIG welder to fab up the plenum and manifold. then a dyno for the tuning (and for my shop.. i need one anyway.)
i've heard both sides of the sportbike fence tho on the 14 and busa.. i hear the busa handles like shit.. doesn't matter tho when you'r going straight i guess!! then again, that same 241 hp busa i built and rode saw the Dragon a few times! i hear the 14 is a little more at home on the twisties, but tires ar a HUGE factor in this, as is suspension tuning. i'm sure with a little work, the busa can be set up to canyon carve respectably well for the goliath bastard it is.
at least both have plenty of love in the aftermarket sector.. i think the busa may have just the tiniest leading edge in this however.. it sems theres always more busa bolt on and gofast goodies than there are 14 goodies?
____________
Duct tape is the handyman's secret
weapon. The black is for formal
occasions. - ZRXDean
ill never own a busa unless
someone gives me one.... and then
ill sell it -KZScott
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Rook
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Posts: 1125
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posted February 04, 2009 07:22 PM
Edited By: Rook on 5 Feb 2009 05:36
quote:
Ummmmm Rook,
I see ya cheating on your 14 and flirting with the Busa.
It's been going on for a while now. LOL
SHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
BTW byyou, whatchoo doin' here? Looks like you might be doing some sniffing around yourself? LOL
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Rook
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Posts: 1125
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posted February 04, 2009 07:35 PM
quote:
.........If your thinking about a 1000 for curves you should look hard at the new R1.
If you want to drag I think the ZX-10 or the GSXR.
Good luck
Yes, I would like to own a track bike. The 14 is fun but no way is it going to do what a smaller bike can on the twisties.
The gix is new for 09 and has highest hp of the big 4 literbikes. Also probabley lightest (after replacing the huge duals) or tied with Honda for weight. The the new crossplane engine design Yammi is going with is intriguing and I bet it will do what it says it will but it's not making any big peak #, it's heavier and I don't like the sound that crossplane makes or those beady eyed headlamps. The kawi is the same awesome machine as last year but not going to top Suz in 09.
Rook
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Rook
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Posts: 1125
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posted February 04, 2009 07:53 PM
quote:
i love boost. you can easily double your power output with minimal work.. on the 14, i hear removing te flies is an absolutely stellar move......
I've heard flies out on the 08 won't make you any faster because 08's flies open a lot faster than th G1s. Just took flies out of my 08 but too much ice to try it out yet. I suspect I may get a few additional ponies below 3K rpm if I tune for flies out.
If a 14 and a busa both ran the same turbo system and everything else was stock, would the busa still hit top speed faster than the 14?
Thanks all for replies. --------Rook
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Bluebyyou
Expert Class
Gettin My Curve On
Posts: 276
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posted February 05, 2009 04:00 AM
quote:
quote:
Ummmmm Rook,
I see ya cheating on your 14 and flirting with the Busa.
It's been going on for a while now. LOL
SHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
BTW byyou, whatchoo doin' here? Looks like you might be doing some sniffing around yourself? LOL
If not for a bad dealership/salesman experience I would be riding one now, It's what I originally went to buy before I looked at my 14. They are both awesome bikes, I like them both, my bro in-law rides a Busa. I still lurk in several Busa forums they definitely have more street credit and aftermarket support than the 14. If they weren't so similar I'd own both.
____________
2007 Bad to the Bone ZX-14 flies out, full Muzzy exhaust system, PC III, BMC race
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Rook
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Posts: 1125
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posted February 05, 2009 04:06 PM
^^^LOL, I know what you mean but my feeling is if they weren't so similar, I would be happy with one or the other. It would have been a clear pick. I think I'm going to end up with both.
Rook
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Rook
Pro
Posts: 1125
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posted February 06, 2009 09:55 PM
So is it just 4-5 people who post here or what?
New info to clear up/ add to what I wrote in initial post:
The busa does not self adjust for aftermarket pipe. You need a PC for best performance.
Busa is easier to turbo because airbox is removable.
Busa has stronger bottom and top than the 14 but midrange of the busa is weaker.
14 is better drag bike because it launches easier.
Rook
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 08, 2009 05:05 PM
quote:
So is it just 4-5 people who post here or what?
but a lot of lurkers !
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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NoFault
Novice Class
Posts: 75
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posted February 11, 2009 12:30 PM
I just picked up a 14, new 08, and two of my friends have Busa's. Charts, stats, articles and magazine claims, so far it is a complete toss up as to which one of will win when they go after each other. What pros do on them is obviously the difference of 100 to 200th of a second. On the street... well that’s a different story. Both are fast and the guy who tossed the most extra money in the engine etc will be fastest regardless of which one of the two he or she is on. With that said I like how the 14 feels lighter than it is. I like that it fits my 6'1" frame, I like the way it looks, I love the breaks and even though the headlight setup is a little alien looking it still looks very cool and damn put the brights on at night and wow you get to remember what the world looks like. I love that I felt confident enough on it to remove the nasty chicken strips from my rear tire after only 3 days. But everytime I look at a Busa I think hmmmmm did I make the right decision???? I said that too one of my good friends with a busa and he confessed that he is getting a 14 next week (True Story) He is keeping the Busa as well..... We always want what we do not have..... Less than a week in and I know that in 2010 I will be putting an R1 back in my garage were it belongs, now though it will have to share space with the 14. The 14 is staying, I am going to start practicing motorcycle polygamy.
____________
The ones I care to acknowledge;
2008 ZX14 (as of Feb 07/09)
2002 Roadstar Warrior
1999 Yamaha R1 (You are Missed)
1996 ZX7R
1989 Honda Hurricane (Rem those)
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masszx14
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A mind beside itself!
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posted February 16, 2009 07:53 PM
Rook,
... not again! LOL
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universal@mind
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Rook
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Posts: 1125
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posted February 19, 2009 07:45 PM
Edited By: Rook on 20 Feb 2009 03:52
'fraid so. The old forum died and I was lead astray again. LOL
I can't get either one out of my head. I might just end up with both. I'm preparing myself for the possibilety of having no clear fav even after owning both. Damn this could get awful expensive. BnB has both and he always has a back up bike so I might just end up the same.
I have communicated with a G2 busa owner up in Iron River, MI which is not far from my home town. We are going to get together for a ride in a month or so and that will help me decide if I should go with a busa or the brand new GSXR 1000.
Thanks for posting. This is cricketsville around here.
Rook
BTW, have found many people claiming the 14 to be better handling. 14 is a little lighter and shorter wheelbase. Seems to be debatable. Busa is probabley a little more sure footed at 180 mph, maybe, because of better aeros?
Also busa suspension is better on hard curves but not at all better for a long ride.
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Wheelie
Needs a life
Old Man
Posts: 6902
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posted February 21, 2009 12:19 PM
quote:
So is it just 4-5 people who post here or what?
New info to clear up/ add to what I wrote in initial post:
The busa does not self adjust for aftermarket pipe. You need a PC for best performance.
Busa is easier to turbo because airbox is removable.
Busa has stronger bottom and top than the 14 but midrange of the busa is weaker.
14 is better drag bike because it launches easier.
Rook
why does the Booza have a o2 sensor?
wee
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted February 21, 2009 05:03 PM
I'd tend to agree with most of rook's comments on the Busa vs 14... I have several more observations with several seasons saddle time on both bikes...
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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Rook
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Posts: 1125
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posted February 21, 2009 06:25 PM
quote:
quote:
So is it just 4-5 people who post here or what?
New info to clear up/ add to what I wrote in initial post:
The busa does not self adjust for aftermarket pipe. You need a PC for best performance.
Busa is easier to turbo because airbox is removable.
Busa has stronger bottom and top than the 14 but midrange of the busa is weaker.
14 is better drag bike because it launches easier.
Rook
why does the Booza have a o2 sensor?
wee
I heard the o2 sensor will make the necessary adjustment to fuel for slipons but many say you need a PC or other tuninging device for a full system. Some people claim their G2 busa runs great with full system and no PC. I guess they won't know 'til they try a tune though.
Rook
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Rook
Pro
Posts: 1125
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posted February 21, 2009 06:40 PM
quote:
I'd tend to agree with most of rook's comments on the Busa vs 14... I have several more observations with several seasons saddle time on both bikes...
 And..........?
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
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posted February 23, 2009 02:46 PM
well.. I;m in the middle of typing out a huge review of the Busa - so I dont wanna type it twice...
I think the Suzuki has the 14 on overall build quality... it strikes me that you can tell that they've had a few more years into the bike than Kawi... both bikes are damn close in performance, and neither are that pleasing to the eye.
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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Rook
Pro
Posts: 1125
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posted February 25, 2009 07:22 PM
quote:
well.. I;m in the middle of typing out a huge review of the Busa - so I dont wanna type it twice...
I think the Suzuki has the 14 on overall build quality... it strikes me that you can tell that they've had a few more years into the bike than Kawi... both bikes are damn close in performance, and neither are that pleasing to the eye.
I hope we get a chance to read it. I sure would like to know how I could get my hands on a copy if it's not for this forum (publication, newsletter, etc.).
Rook
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masszx14
Pro
A mind beside itself!
Posts: 1806
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posted March 01, 2009 02:13 PM
quote:
well.. I;m in the middle of typing out a huge review of the Busa - so I dont wanna type it twice...
I think the Suzuki has the 14 on overall build quality... it strikes me that you can tell that they've had a few more years into the bike than Kawi... both bikes are damn close in performance, and neither are that pleasing to the eye.
Fish, where's the review?
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universal@mind
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Rook
Pro
Posts: 1125
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posted March 02, 2009 07:56 PM
quote:
quote:
well.. I;m in the middle of typing out a huge review of the Busa - so I dont wanna type it twice...
I think the Suzuki has the 14 on overall build quality... it strikes me that you can tell that they've had a few more years into the bike than Kawi... both bikes are damn close in performance, and neither are that pleasing to the eye.
Fish, where's the review?
I have no objections on the 14's appearence at all. Once you get used to the grills, it is just sweet to look at in pics and even better in person. The busa is just a busa no matter what you do to it. If/when I get a G2 busa, I will see if it is possible to change to a G1 tail because the new one is ug-a-ly. If I can't swap tails, I'll fiberglass cast one from a G1 so it fits and has holes that match the frame holes on a G2. I love the hump.
Yeah, we're waiting to read it. All two of us! LOL
Rook
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted March 02, 2009 08:43 PM
quote:
quote:
well.. I;m in the middle of typing out a huge review of the Busa - so I dont wanna type it twice...
I think the Suzuki has the 14 on overall build quality... it strikes me that you can tell that they've had a few more years into the bike than Kawi... both bikes are damn close in performance, and neither are that pleasing to the eye.
Fish, where's the review?
well... I'm getting ready for tax time, so the review's going to have to wait  prolly a month or so to be honest.
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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