The 2008 14 just happened to be at the local shop this week and supposedly Kawasaki decided to make it more powerfull. Because it just wasn't scary enough as it was? The new midnight blue really looks great on this bike and makes it look more like a "GT" than an all out sportbike.... kinda like the VFR's in the candy red or dark blue. I can see why so many people opted to go with the ZX-14 as a sport tourer.... Its actually comfortable and it has a little power It also has the same snatchy throttle response we complain about. Fuel injection does funny things but with that much responsiveness paired with the torque that thing creates.....:crutch: Very smooth and stable like our bikes in corners, probably a similar wheelbase and weight seems to be in the right place. Actually it flicks side to side easier than a VFR! Well for anyone still waiting for a 1000cc VFR, if Honda decides to let you guys wait til next year again, that thing is probably a fine alternative. I know its not a V4 but theres still something about 1350+ cc's and 113ft/lb of torque that I could live with and it will still be relevant for years to come just like the previous generations. If I had ridden that bike a year ago......
Thanks for the review Alter Ego, An intangible perhaps but what do you suppose the insurance cost increase is on that rocket sled? I know not many think that VFR is too powerful but I have one cruiser buddy who recently sold his VFR because he thought it had too much power on the street and he felt with all the wind protection and effortless power the thing always felt like he was riding slow. I don't know anybody that owns a ZX-14 but that thing on the street doesn't make much sense to me unless you have to have the badest bike...or is that go to jail card? :wink: Have to ask you about the ergos please. I believe the ZX isn't quite as bent over a riding position as some sport bikes out there. Is it as comfortable as the VFR? Thanks for sharing your experience. George
I asked about insurance and it is more than a VFR because of the displacement but that seems to be the norm. By no means is it uninsurable though especially if you have a clean record:wink: It is a bit of overkill having that much power but it is easy to ride because 2-3-4 are all the gears you really need. On back roads its a roll on and off the throttle type of bike but when you need to get into "that spot" right now its not a downshift away it is just a little turn of the throttle to fast forward everything around you. Picture it as a really powerfull sport coupe but comfortable for an all day cruise. I work with BMW so to me it is the equivalent of a 650 coupe. As far as ergos, I'm just over 6' tall and I have a little forward lean, similar to the VFR. The windscreen comes up more like a sportbike, more of a bubble in the center with a little less wind protection on your head and shoulders but good air around your hands and legs. Its really a bike for people who like the VFR but want the power I think. It feels refined like a VFR which is pretty good for Kawasaki because some of their bikes were lacking there in the past. It definitely feels like an upper end machine and it has a nasty growl even with the stock pipes. Hopefully that helps.... Try one out if you can, i can't gaurantee you won't get seduced by it, I'm just happy my bike is as good as it is now so I could fight it off.
hey I tried one this summer also...found it to be closest thing out there I have driven to my vfr.(cept for the power).basically same ergos for me, I found it quite comfy, handled good enough. great for 2 -up,Very nice, not the tanker feel to it the new connie has...My only beef? I didnt like the heat off the engine in town, but it was same as all faired I-4's I have driven so not really a issue if buying a 1-4. very nice!! but not enough diff (cept power) for me to spend the cash just yet..
