VFR 1200 or Kawasaki ZX14

I am not really happy with the 2005 (VTEC) VFR and I am thinking about selling it and getting either the VFR 1200 or a Kawasaki ZX14. The 05 VTEC VFR is getting on my nerves because I gotta ride it so hard to get it to move (already have a power commander insalled). I ride with a lot of guys with R1s and ZX10s. I like the VFR but the bike needs more power and the VTEC is just not to my liking. I also want to do more two-up touring and while the VFR (VTEC) 800 is more than adequate, it is not as roomy or as powerful as the VFR 1200 or the Kawi ZX14 (I like women with big tits and biggg butts so I need more room and power - lol). I have checked a few 2006 and 2007 Kawi ZX14s and rode an 07 Special Edition yesterday. The Kawi ZX14 is a monster and handles great, and tracks through corners perfectly. I am leaning heavily towards the Kawi ZX14 but still love the VFR. I still have my 2k Gen 5 VFR with a little over 40k miles. My 2k VFR needs the suspension rebuilt (fork springs/seals, and a converted 929 rear shock), chain and sprocket, swingarm bearings and wheel bearings, new set of plastics. I may sell the 2k VFR for what I can get and try to find another low mileage 5th Gen VFR (preferable a 2001). I would still like to have a VFR as my daily rider (and for a few trackdays), but perfer the 5th Gen VFR. Anyone own a ZX14 and can let me know how the maintenance is, any recommended upgrades, and how you would compare it to a VFR? Is $7500.00 a good price for an 07 Special Edition Kawai ZX14 with 1,400 miles?

 

Hey Emon! I got no answers for you but nice to hear from you. Hope those thick Spanish girls are keeping you healthy!

 

ZX-14, Hyabusta, V-Max, 1198, etc.: nobody needs or can use that kind of power !! Unless it's just for bragging about........

THINK SMALL

 

Hey Squirrelman I cannot argue with your logic - you are right. The VTEC engine is just not for me even though it is a technical wonder that I do respect. I hate to admit it, but I do still have a lil squid in me and my top speed on the VFR is 140mph which is totally stupid, but speed is addictive. The power and speed the Kawi ZX14 has is only a bonus in addition to the size and handling of the Kawi ZX14. I am truly attracted to the Kawi ZX14 mainly because it is a bigger bike and more comfortable for two up riding and it handles great - Alos a very pretty bike to me. A bike with a big gas tank, that is comfortable to ride and has a great suspension with good brakes is the bike for me. Right now as much as I like the VFR the Kawi ZX14 is better suited for what I seem to want with regard to riding two up and handling/brakes. I have not rode the VFR 1200 so I cannot compare it to the Kawi ZX14. Maybe somone here has had experience with both bikes.

 

When I set out to buy a new bike last year, I was torn like you. Went to the Honda dealership and tried a few on. I really like the CBR1000RR but the bike was too small for me, the VFR1200 fit pretty good but I didn't like the scooterish looks, driveshaft, etc. They had a new '09 VFR800 and it fit perfect. I wasn't looking to buy a bike that goes 200mph but one that does it all. If you want a big speedy bike then I say indulge yourself in the ZX14, it received good reviews in the motorcycle magazines that I've read.

 

Your initial post is a little confusing. You say you're dissatisfied with the 6th gen, citing that it's hard to keep up with a bunch of dues on R1s etc, but then say you are leaning toward an even bigger bike? I know the ZX 14 is fast as hell, but a smaller bike like GSXR 600 will blow it away in every realistic setting. And if its really fast you want, it seems like you might consider the top end liter bikes; the ZX 14 might beat them off the line by about .2 seconds, but the comparison in performance ends there (as in the ZX 14 simply doesn't compare). As far as 2 up riding, I feel like the ZX 14 isn't going to be overly comfortable either. This leads me to my suggestion: sounds to me like you need two bikes!

 

emmon07,
I'm totally in the same boat. Theres many things i love about my 06 vfr800, its reliable, resonably fast, comfy, looks decent. But it lacks the quickness of my old rides ( zx10 and busa) , yes i realize that they are meant for different purposes, but in the end - the purpose to to enjoy riding it, and i just don't . not that i have to go 200mph, but taking off from 0-75...... just so addictive on any liter bike. i almost traded in on 08 cbr1000rr on thursday, but when i got to dealership, they hadnt so much as washed it, and it was abused. It was also a tad uncomfortable, which i would have put up with to get more power. So now i am left with the k1300, vfr1200, or zx14. they all have their pros and cons. The vfr1200 will give you alot of the things you like about your current vfr, single swing, reliablility, comfy, riding position, etc, but with more power for fun and more power for 2 up. but low mileage zx14's will be cheaper, 7500 is a decent deal on that 14. while a vfr is 10k at the very least.

 

Actually my ZX14 was equally comfy as my 2001 Viffer but just with alot more ummph eats alot more gas. I kinda miss my ZX14 but that bike was a bit more then i needed, im surprised i haven't been jailed or killed riding it since i did so many illegal things with it.

 

Hello emon07. I own an 07 VFR & 07 Busa, both are setup very similar with aftermarket accessories. I find myself using the VFR for commuting and the Busa for more leisure type riding. I've heard the argument so many times about not using the power of a big bike. I disagree. It's power that gives you the ability to ACCELERATE and cruise EFFORTLESSLY w/ a passenger & luggage at any speed. I've never ridden a ZX14 so I can't you give any info that you can't already find on the web. I do have alternative suggestions. A Blackbird CBR1100XX or a Triumph Sprint. Not as much power as ZX14 but plenty more than a VFR. A 2011 Ninja 1000 might also be a good alternate as well.

 

Ive ridden my friends 2005 Busa quiet extensively and i cant say ive care for it much, it handled slightly swifter then my 14 but a few things i found annoying, firstly the brakes sucked ass, the feel and braking power, the pegs buzzed till your foot got numb, handle bars buzzed quiet a bit, shifter linkage was horrible, the shifts were clunky, i much preferred the direct action feel on the 14. The 14 had much smoother engine, wayyy better brakes (even better then the VFR) and overall had more refinement. Only big think i liked on the busa was quick transitions on tight S turns were swifter then my 14. I bought my 14 after he got his busa so his bike was the benchmark on the shopping part. I def think the 14 was better.

This was my friends busa:

 

I hear ya VIFFER RIDER, I agree with everything you said. Thats why I bought a VFR. I wasn't suggesting the Busa over the ZX14. I just don't buy the argument for not using the power of a big bike. Having the ability to cruise down a back road or the highway w/ passenger effortlessly at any speed is pretty useful.

 

And pretty fun .....

 

On the other hand I'd buy the VFR12 just to be different.


v-4 engine.... Good ergo's....With a set of soft bags and a new set of grips (Honda's factory grips should be registared in Nuremburg as a torture device) You'd have a really nice touring rig AND a couple thousand buck left in the bank! (New 2010 VFRs now dropping below 10k in the Southeast anyway.)


I'm not going to say anything bad about the Kawi though as I would have one if I was a decade or two younger.


IMHO YMMV

 

Honestly the power of a big bike is more useful then a supersport bike because you don't have the wring the power out to get moving, you can be lazy and short shift it and still pull away from anything in sight. Thats one reason i love my viffer over my ZX6R, it has power in places where it counts.

 

What I like about emon.... He is being very truthful.... How I know this.... because the man loves big butts so therefore he cannot lie......

 

As you've already asked the question in '07 suspect you already know the answer, go the new '12 ZX14 the front looks better and it goes even faster.