The new guy questions

OK THIS IS MY PROPLEM THINKING ABOUT TRADING MY 08 ZX-14 IN ON A NEW 09 INTERCEPTOR. NICE BIKE BUTT NOT WHAT I NEED. SO PLEASE HELP ME OUT. FIRST IS THAT EVEN THINKABLE? RELIABILTY- ANY KIND OF HEAT ISSUSE, I DO SIT IN TRAFFIC ALOT IN 80 90 DEGREE PLUS DAYS? HOW ABOUT PERFORMACE? 2UP MY WIFE LIKES TO RIDE IS IT COMFORTABLE? AND ANY THING ELSE THAT YOU GUYS CAN TELL ME WOULD BE GREAT. ONE MORE THING WHATS A GOOD PRICE FOR A 09? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!:smile:

 

What's with the caps lock man?

 

Welcome first off, I have a 99 and a few of the guys with a 6th gen and the reliabilty is not an issue. I have to sit in traffic a lot in the heat and it gets way up there close to an hundred here during the summer. VFRs do run hotter than most other bikes. And it is very comfortable and it does well riding two up. You won't be the fastest around but i can keep up the liter bikes i ride with in my hometown. hope this helps.

 

Welcome to the site.

You seem to be a matter of fact type of dude, so I'll spare most of the commentary.

Nice bike? - Absolutely, but you kind of have to expect that answer on a VFR forum

Thinkable? - Yes. But if you are expecting ZX14 performance, don't even think about it. Unless you add the Toro Supercharger to it.

Reliability? - Honestly, there may not be a bike more reliable than a Honda V4.

Heat Issue - "You betchya!" Expect to be sitting at 220F if you find yourself stuck in traffic. You can look into mods to help keep her cooler. I believe CandyRed has done tons to keep his bike running cooler.

Performance - See "Thinkable". Sure its fast, and handles great. But is it ZX14 fast? Nope.

2ups - I don't do that, so no comment.

Good Price - I don't know. Check some dealers, e-bay, craigslist etc. and form a comparison. Its relative to where you live, as well. A good price in Jersey may suck balls in OK. I'm just saying...

Check back soon. I'm sure others will comment. Good luck!

 

You are likely not going to be happy if you are a litre class junkie, and it is hard not to be if you are used to that kind of grunt. Aside from that you will be happier I think but that is alot to give up.

 

I would go with a blackbird.

 

^ and we have a winner...

 

2 up it still does pretty good. The wife is a great passenger, tho. Says the back seat is good, and if you leave the handlebars on, it gives the passenger a different place to hold on if they want to move a little bit. Heat? understatement. Unless you are moving, it does warm up pretty good, but all bikes do. The fan kicks on about 220, and cools back off to about 200-210. With the radiators out to the side, you will feel that heat. Reliability? it's a Honda, but as with anything, take care of it, it will take care of you. Performance? handling is good, but I'm comparing to a 95 900RR. Sure footed, runs great in the twisties, but all out top end isn't there compare to a ZX14. AS for price, you should be able to get an '09 for a decent amount now as it is two years old....even if it is new.

 

My recommend for you is ST1300, Great for two up, Confortable and Honda reliable
It must be good cause all the CHP and cop are switching from BMW to ST1300.

 

Thanks for the info guys! Just worried about over heating. My zx14 fan rans while sitting in traffic and dosnt stop until i start moving agin. Is this the same with the vfr? Will the fans cool it down while in traffic?

 

fans do cool it down and shut off.

 

The new ninja 1000 looks like a pretty nice ride. Its also 5 grand less than the new vfr1200. Just wondering how you will handle the drop from the zx14 to a vfr800. The vfr has plenty of power, but keep in mind it is aimed at sporty street riding and sport touring in comfort. In this area the bike is superb. I have never found myself needing more power, and haven't gotten the bike to wide open throttle with the girl on the back, as she isn't as into getting her lean on as much as I am. As long as your not looking for superbike performance(which you really don't need in a streetbike) the VFR is an excellent bike that is still one of the best streetbikes ever built.

 

I agree with this guy, Honda reliability, and timeless styling, how can you go wrong.

 

yep going from a 1.4 litre to a 800 cc bike could be tough. Buy a Viffer and keep the ZX - theres a solution. I go from riding an EX500 to my VFR every week, the Honda is maybe double the HP as the Kawasaki. Does it diminish the motorcycling experience? Not really, you know when your honking along on a 50 hp twin and you can appreciate the speed. Its all relative, fast is fast for the said vehicle.

That being said, I will buy a nice second hand Hayabusa in the future. Here in south Florida people that want flat out top dawg performance go for the busa and not the zed 14. Havent ridden a 14 though but would still buy a busa and keep all my other junk. Cheers and good luck.

 

time to hook reggie back up to the electro-shock therapy unit....

I am gonna say go with what you feel is right you know your ZX-14. truthfully you are going to get more biased responses from here, although now that I look back they are pretty objective....But any way, step away from here and read some print on the VFR so you can have a totally (maybe not) opinion of this machine..... I normally would say not to listen to reg71, but this time he is making sense....

welcome to the world..