If you were forced to change to a ZX14, what would you miss most about your VFR?

Assuming money was not an issue (so no tire worries or speeding fines) would it be the comfort, versatility, sound, reliability?

(I ask because after years of VFRs, I'm being prodded to 'try something new' and my only complaint has been the lack of stomping acceleration, which a ZX14 would appear to fix). Thanks!

 

Thats easy, the VFRs brilliant V4 sound and superior build quality. :smile:

 

Not so sure Kawasaki is that far behind in build quality anymore these days.

I've never ridden a 14, would love to, but I'm guessing it doesn't hanlde as well and that's what I'd miss most.

 

ive read that they have the worst fuel mileage out of any production bike out right now, not that the vfr's are that great...
but to answer your question it would be the v4 sound, the best sound in the world, that l4's could only dream of...

 

Id be missing my drivers license....

 

+1----good one

other than that, probably nothing that I couldnt get over.

 

The Honda Badge....

 

I'd have to ride the zedex 14 for a few thousand miles before I could answer that.

 

I own a 07 VFR and have had the pleasure of riding a 14 on several occasions as I ride with a friend that owns one. One word......they are FAST. But riding one through the dragon is a handfull. Great bike to ride on the interstate or around town. More comfortable than they appear, at least for me anyway. While they are fast, my VFR is quicker from a standing start. But in a few hundred feet the 14 is by me and gone........and I don't have a chance to catch him.

Bottom line is it's a great bike, but for different reasons than a VFR. Also a 14 sounds really good with a muzzy exhaust.

 

I rode a ZX14 several times - it's like sitting on a jet ski, same with the 'Busa. The power is instantaneous and ridiculous. Somewhat comfortable. Hell, the ZX12 was, is, a freakin' monster.

If you're intersted in power and versatility, go for the Concours. It has the same motor but detuned a bit and has shaft drive. Comes with the saddle bags and other tricks for a great price in that category of bike. Quick and nimble for its size.

Also, the ZX11 makes a great sport tourer and can be had for great price on the used market, except most have accumulated lots of miles over 10+ years.

 

My low insurance....thats what I would miss.............

seriously though...........the V-4 sound

 

Thanks everyone - out of interest, would any of you turn down the option to swap your VFR for a ZX14 at no cost (if your Viffer is older than 06 let's say the swap would be for a very high mileage ZX)? Again assuming your insurance company offered you the same deal.

I rode the ZX for about 20 minutes, and it seemed to offer the mind crushing acceleration I kind of miss on my VFR, but could not really ... fault the ZX otherwise. Other than having looks only a mother could love :smile: And I absolutely adore the VFR's design, especially in white, despite all the years of owning one, it's visuals haven't worn off.

I heard that the twisties handling is not that great (compared to the VFR), but ... the weight is about the same as a VFR with a low centre of gravity, so not sure if those comments aren't coming from the supersport brigade?

Also, some say ergonomics are worse on the ZX compared to the VFR but again, dimensions are within an inch of each other in all directions and it seemed really comfortable over the test ride.

But a couple of comments here especially are making me think about 'sticking with the devil I know' - the jetski one was great. I completely missed that during the test ride (more focused on praying for my life), but now that I think back, it was odd and probably tiring over many miles. Then there is the dozens of years of build quality perfecting the VFR, whereas the ZX had a frame recall last year (and I wonder how thin the rest of it is, if at 1400cc it weighs the same as an 800).

I wouldn't go for the concourse because it is nearly 1m wide (maybe a bit less without the luggage) compared to 75cm for the ZX and VFR, so a lot harder in filtering through traffic ('splitting' in the US?).

I really love the VFR, and can only find one fault with it... but is that enough reason to hold onto the same make and model for 10 years (I aim to keep my next steed for 5)?

 

all kidding aside, I like the position of the VFR I can't lean over as much as I used to..so A more upright riding position is better for me..
So I guess my answer would be no...

 

Short of the health and happiness of my loved ones, I wouldn't trade my VFR for anything, not even a newer VFR.
Course, I may get more attached to my bikes then others do. :crazy:

 

Being a more mature rider (old phart) I would have no hesitation refusing to trade my VFR for the ZX14. The kind of acceleration the Kawi offers is a wonderful thing, but can also get you in way over your head in a matter of seconds. When I'm making a run through the Gap I don't really have to worry too much about the bike overpowering the rear tire through my over enthusiastic right hand.

To my mind that amount of horsepower is way cool....for short bursts in a straight line. Not what I buy a sport bike for. YMMV.

 

I ride an 08 ZX14, and my wife has an 06Viffer. The Viffer certianly has better ergo's, though at 6'2" I find it a tad bit cramped as compared to my 14. I believe the VFR800 handles the tight and twisty stuff better, as of yet I have not been able to lose my wife in the corners. Power and acceleration are another thing, and though the comparison between the bikes isn't really fair.....the ZX14 has almsot unreal amounts of power, and torque at almost any speed and rpm's. I came from riding a 125cubic inch V-Twin, and really loved the torque of that, I was pleasently surprised in riding the ZX14 to find that it has much better torque characteristics than I thought it would have.

My Wife loves her VFR800 as much as I love my ZX14. Niether one of us would replace our respective rides with any other brand or model of bike. As far as quality goes, I can't honestly see a difference between the two. I like the single sided swingarm for ease of tire changes, and I like the fact you can replace the oil and filter on the ZX14 without having to remove any parts of the fairing.

To really get a feel of a ZX14 you need to ride it for longer than an hour, and get it on some roads where you can really wind her up. It is the only bike I have ever ridden that is still capable of both pleasing and scaring me at the same time.

We just got back from a two week 5000km road trip and both bikes performed flawlessly. We both felt that our bikes would benefit from better seats (we already both have risers and taller shields) and niether bike seemed more or less comfortable after an 8 hour day in the saddle.

I'm not sure if this helps making a decision of not, it really depends on what you want from your ride. Their are not many opportunities that allow me to really show what the ZX14 is capable off, but when the chances do present themselves....their is no other bike i've ever ridden that puts down the smooth effortless power that she does.

best of luck.

 

If you're look for change why don't you try the new Monster 1100

Brutal usable acceleration at city speeds, feels way more than the claimed 95 hp and a blast to ride in the twisties. Just my two cents. They're also a lot more reliable than they used to be. Best of all most Duc dealers offer test rides. Just my two cents.

 

I'm told some think the VFR is odd looking but in a trade for a ZX14 I'd miss looking at that bright red VFR everytime I saw that fugly zx14 taking up it's parking space in my garage. Pretty awesome in every other regard as near as I can tell. Good luck to you, follow your heart but don't trade your wife/gf for an ugly one, okay?

 

Hey..I find the zx14 has nearly the same ergos for me and i like it..but what would i miss?...obviously the sound of the v4 with a pipe, the I-4 is same old bla..I would miss a lot of gas stations (miss all with premium gas)as i do when riding with my buddies zx14's,I would miss having the same rear tire for a few months, and i really find i miss what feels like riding a air conditioner in comparison on a hot day. But I still have the zx near the top of my list, cause they sell cheaper here than the same year vfrs do second hand and are a good deal.

 

Thanks for the recommendation - but I actually even ruled out the Sprint 1050 on the grounds that it's not Japanese, and the same really for the Dukes. When bikes (cars) had points and carbs etc, I would enjoy working on them, but now that it's laptops and OEM tools, I want them as reliable as possible for as long as possible.

Thanks also for all the posts on this thread - I just took delivery of my 3rd 6-Gen this week (with a Scott's damper). My riding is still nowhere near the tire limits so I'll stick to what I know (and love). I'm getting loads of hassle from friends who think I'm just clinging to things from the past/comfort zone etc etc. but in the end, I'm happy with the 'all round' VFR package :thumbsup: and that's what it's all about.