Ok guy's don't bitch me out ZX14???

Guy's I walked into the dealer today and he made me a deal that seem real good....I need some help. I love my 2005 VFR but..... The Viffer is a great bike hands down. I've moded the hell out of it and it is one of the best all around bikes I've owned. However I all ways find my self saying I'd like more power. The sales guy will take mine in trade and 5,500.00 for a 2009 ZX14 Monster edition... After reading all about it and seeing some of the mod available I'm thinking about it. From what I've read it only 25lbs heavier and has 195HP. What do you guy's think? I ride the bike back in forth to work... And a few 350 mile days per year about 5k per year....Looked in to hard bags for it which they have but no where as good as the stock Honda bags. Need some help on this one....I'd love to have both bike but just can't swing it....:crazy:

 

Hi there - I just posted exactly the same question yesterday evening (thread 'if you were forced to change to a ZX14 what would you miss most about the VFR'). I got some great replies already.

For me it is a major dilemma because I love the VFR for absolutely everything ... except acceleration. Now to throw all that away for an unknown quantity just to get a half second on the 0-60... I am dithering for a week now...

I know people who claim to have switched back from a ZX14 because the VFR is so much more practical.

My quick test ride suggested (leaving money out):

+ brutal acceleration
+ comfortable for the power
+ gear indicator

- Ugly; worse than a Klingon Battlecruiser
- no V4 sound
- no proven reliability eg frame recall (though still jap)
- cornering (this is a drag racer)
- clatter on startup (common Kawa thing)
- very clunky 1st gear
- legs wider and more bent than VFR (jet ski type thing)

But at the moment I'm 50/50 because I just feel that going with a VFR again is like clinging to your comfort zone.

Check out some threads on sport-touring.net (Kawa forum people don't want to talk to 'scooter' owners )

 

too bad you cant have em both....i bought a new busa in 2000, having already owned my vfr for 3 years...the hyper bikes are great fun..but as the years go by, i find that there is yust more to like about about the vfr...and it gets riden more the the busa.

 

Buy what you want.... Life is short, youth is fleeting....

You can always buy another VFR.....

Did I mention, buy what you want?....

 

My biggest concern is that it's not going to handle very well like I've come to expect from my bikes. But if you look at the spec sheets its right there with the VFR specs. Length, height, seat height and 25 lbs more and more brakes and suspension....I would think it would be good just a little more weight to move around... Nothing a few mods wouldn't take care of...

 

Hmm, not from my short ride - they feel about the same. I also thought that the ZX would be harder to thread in between traffic, but no. Good riders almost unanimously claim that in the twisties the VFR is better (not that my riding is anywhere near enough to make that sort of claim).

Out of interest, on pure visuals, do you not agree the VFR is a way more handsome bike than that 'Lost in Space' robot ZX thing (especially in Chernobyl Squid green)?

 

Buy it

Be careful at first, then have fun...........

Who cares what it looks like, its FAST.........heeheeheee

 

Yeah I agree on the looks. But I lime the way the Monster looks that's the one I'd go for.

 

If you not ride that much, Why get a Busa.....? It is a nice bike to ride straight line but will not scrape the canyon like VFR or other sport bike.

 

well if you trade it in, stop by my place and let me put my stock exhust on it - for your header and pc - the dealler doesn't need that for the 5,500 he is gonna give you for the bike- and seat as well.

 

I'm a Honda and Kawasaki guy....I do some long rides and plan to do more in the future. This year we did a real nice 900 mile ride in three days and it was blasts...I almost always carry stuff in my hard bags and my son ride with me from time to time and with the Corbin seat and back rest he feels much better about riding on the back.... I guess any bike can be made to do what you want...When I bought the Viffer it was nice but I turned it into a nicer riding package with a few good mods....

 

02 he said on my quote he wanted all the old parts...I think thats cuz he dropped his pants on the new bike...So what's your opinion on this? Think I'd be giving up alot on this?

 

Bikes are a very personal decision, I would never let the opinions of others influence my choice. I personally wouldn't let something like bold new Monster graphics enter into the yes or no equation, as they really don't do a thing for the actual performance or rideability of the machine, and you can't look at them when you are riding. Who really cares what other people think...you're the one that ultimately has to ride it.

 

True, though a bike in general is an emotional decision. Logic would suggest you get the hell of it because it is inherently unstable, has no crumple zones, is unpleasant or unusable for up to half of the year (depending on where you live), and has enough power to kill you or get you in jail.

I actually enjoy parking mine in the centre of town (bikes are still fairly rare in eastern Europe) and seeing crowds snapping the VFR with their cellphones (even though it is parked right next to some garish red XXXXRRRR-R thing with 60% more power).

This kind of reminds me of when I'm advising my friends to buy a new Hyundai (with a 3 year warranty) rather than a 9 year old Audi. Now I'm the one ditching the facts/measures and going for the 'feel' :biggrin:

 

I have not hid my opinion of gen 6. Honda has been asleep at the wheel for a while now. Letting the VFR & ST1300 get old and stale in favor of cruisers on scooters in the North American models anyway. Gen 7 should have been in our local dealerships yeas ago. For that matter, the dropping of the Blacknbird was another move in the wrong direction. As a life long Honda fan I bought a Yamaha FZ1. Because of Ameican Honda's lack of foresight and availible models it's little suprise that many riders in the market for a new bike look to other companies .

 

Well the wife gave me the blessing on it....Not that I really needed it but it does make me feel a little better about it.....But for some reason it feels like....Your throwing your wife of 20 years to the side for the 23 year old blonde... LOL

 

Guy's I found on the site that Cycle World said they had spy photo's of the new VFR1200 for 2010. I know there has been much on this site about it but do you think it may be hear in the next few months? I'd hate to buy the 14 then two months later Honda comes out with an all new Viffer!!!

 

Food for thought..... let's say you do trade out...... How long before you're used to it, and now want all that the VFR had to offer..... I'd say, think about it in the long term.... The new bug will wear off at some point.....

 

you got to let me ride it before you trade it in at least
PM sent

 

That's another good point.... It wouldn't hurt to see what the 2010 has to offer..... But from what I understand.... We're looking at spring, to be on the floors..... Also it'll be the 1st model... Bugs to work out...