Have any of you guys that currently own a ZX-14 test ridden a 14R? I'm curious on your thoughts on difference, similarities from someone who still owns a 14.

I've ridden both bikes. As I mentioned on another thread, in a couple of years when I am ready to retire I'll probably buy one.

For now, I am very, very happy with my 2010.

A comment I saw somewhere else really resonates with me:
"It's all about the budget. If you can afford the new bike, buy it. I have never heard anyone regretting buying the latest and greatest. If you have the money for the new one I'd say do it. But if you're just looking to cruise around and just enjoy the scenery then get the older one. You will save a few thousand by buying a used ZX14. They are both land missiles, and apart from the traction control and ABS on the new one there isn't a world of difference, I feel. I'm sure its a lot faster but not everyone cares about topping the bike out everywhere they ride."

Kofla

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 9/2/2014 @ 1:47 PM *

It might be hard pressed to find a dual 14/14r owner? If I knew now what the first gen and second gen are like to compare, the gen2 was more a marketing ploy. What can we offer next year? A few more bells and whistles we already had for the euro customer? ABS was designed into the bike first day. Eventually, abs will be standard like FI.

That said, a few more ponies, a few more rain settings, not much in the way of an all out change, IMO. It would have to be a new gen that blows away the 14 series engine family. So to answer your question, pass on the gen2. The small gap of the techorsepower is not significant enough to make a move (at this time).

I lusted after a special edition 09. My wife was on Mat leave with my son she slipped from my grasp. When the 2012 flagship R was avail, I snatched that Sucka out of the crate like an egg snatcher. Now I am keeping her come what may. If I grabbed the 09 I'd still be riding her and be very happy doing so!

I owned a 2008,2011 zx14. I currently own a 13 zx14r. When I rode my new bike home I was excited and all. Then I thought to myself hmm same shit different day. All the 14eens are super fast. suspension? little better. U cant go wrong with any zx 14 ninja. There all comfortable too.

Back in 92 my zx6 got ripped off in new Orleans parking lot, and was fing fast, then got a 93 zx6, first year with ram air induction, that bike would top off at 153 mph stock in the Arizona desert. and that was twenty something years ago sir.

new or used u cant miss homeboy ride it like u stole it enjoy it race it, tour it at the end of the day pick the bike that makes u wanna ride or haul arse. colors that's another story.

As much fun I had with my 07...when I got my first 14R...it felt very different to me.Nicely different.Although it's a heavier bike...somewhat(stock)it felt lighter.The steering was different.The engine pulled different.The torque came on different.The overall feel was more compact...somehow.I think the seating position and steering angle added to this feel.The engine enhanced the overall tightness of the package(to me).It just feels more 'solid'...I feel more attached to it when I'm riding....a good way.NOW...if it'll ONLY warm up and melt this winter outta here.....it's time to RIDE!!!!;)

I have to say...I've not been disappointed in my getting the 2013 ABS bike...I love this abs.It really does work;)But my beloved 07....she was a sweet ride for sure...but still...no regrets at all....she got sold to a guy here....so she got a good home.She was a fine bike...anyone with a 14 gen 1 can be happy about it.They're the best(the 14 family).

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/2/2014 @ 12:50 PM *

Agree and disagree with Sweep. I agree they are all beautiful rides. Gen 1 wow! Gen two feels bigger roomier and pulls a hella lot harder! I only know this as I've seen many gen one's disappear in my rearview!

It might be hard pressed to find a dual 14/14r owner? If I knew now what the first gen and second gen are like to compare, the gen2 was more a marketing ploy. What can we offer next year? A few more bells and whistles we already had for the euro customer? ABS was designed into the bike first day. Eventually, abs will be standard like FI.
That said, a few more ponies, a few more rain settings, not much in the way of an all out change, IMO. It would have to be a new gen that blows away the 14 series engine family. So to answer your question, pass on the gen2. The small gap of the techorsepower is not significant enough to make a move (at this time).

Thanks to all for your inputs, I was looking at a Passion Red 2013 yesterday, similar in some ways to my '06 but not getting excited for some reason and I would really need to be excited to pull the trigger on one of these. It's been almost three years since I rode a new machine home and getting that itch again.

I'm sure the 14R is fantastic but IMHO it's not a huge difference to put down that much cash.... I love my 09. And if they come out with a SC motor I'm all over it.....but for now gonna save my pennies.

I got a commercial drivers and when I commute specially I tell myself ok don't go ape shit this time, do not kick people and flipem off when rollin. be nice.

I try not to get popped by chp . scanning rear view mirrors umm single head light way back there keep scanning umm iz it officersmith reelin me in? slowin pace no its some freakin dude on a blue sport bike haulin ass right by me dammit click down twice and go eat him showem whos the fuckin boss nobodys passin boss hog today. im on my fast ass 14

what the fuck em I doing don't want to catch this fuck n eat em while bunch of snitch people in their cages watch street race if he happens to crash and die the da will push for manslaughter go to pokey for long time. ohh look its one of them dumb fuckin Mexicans street racin on our public roads that fuckin idiot should take that shit to the track,we cant have that shit. put that fucker in prison for that.

some times I might hold some body off but then I have to let them win. they might think they smoked me cuase I disappeared in their rear view mirror but I let them win cause I don't want to race every bone head in the world.

I guess theres a time and a place for everything just cant always pull the trigger on peeps

Well Kruzerman...any 14 new or older is a sweet ride...if taken care of correctly.You KNOW that.It's a toss up really.A nicely modded Gen 1 can be a lot of fun...but the newer ones....I found anyway...have a certain something about them that makes(me)feel very good riding it.Not that I didn't with my 07...but this new bike...it's just....more advanced feeling in almost every way....Hard to describe...you need to ride one for more than 10 minutes to get a feel for it....I think you'd like it...but maybe not if you're used to a 1000 or something like that.???I immediately fell for mine in just a few minutes....hadn't ridden a 14 for several weeks while waiting for her arrival...I was glad I got the new one;)No regrets...not one.In every way I like this new model....

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/2/2014 @ 9:08 PM *

Street agreed. Pick your spots. Now for most people FYI Street Sweeper is a hell of a rida! You won't see this cat in your rearview! And fo sow Sweep if I get popped by OPP I can't get to work either. Bad news for the fam holmes.

Thanks Grn, I think refined is the word for that new bird of yours which was the strong point of the original ZX-14 , hence the point of my query. If someone who owns an older model 14 can get out and do an extended ride back to back on an R model, they might be able to articulate the differences they're feeling. Not night and day different from what you can recall but more a subtle refined feeling? That's the $13,283 question, as that's my dealer's drive away price on a '13 non-ABS. It's like when I went to the Gen 4 ZX-10R, that bike was refined compared to the Gen 3 and had more ultimate potential as a racing platform but I would have stayed with my Gen 3 if I hadn't totaled it. I was actually let down initially by the direction KHI had taken with the Gen 4. They took away the raw visceral bad boy feeling that everyone loved about the 10R and polished it up. It was like giving that bad boy a haircut and a shave and dressing him up in a three piece suit. Poor analogy but you get the idea.

here. this is what you need to see.

mod what you got and you will be faster than everyone....until they mod what they got. There is no end to the game.

(note the second half of the vid. 14r and S1000 tie 2/4 races. That 14r rider is a big boy too.

I'm not into drag racing or top speed runs so not really worried if someone else's bike is hundredths quicker. True dat Rook, you notice the Busa crowd didn't sell all their bikes because KHI one upped 'em. Double down add some more mods and you're right back in there.

Good advice in this posting on the choices. For me I am Not looking towards the day that "this is fast enough" Keep bringing the newer, faster, better handling stuff and when I can afford it I want to buy it. Super charged.. :-)))

Those two bikes were about 8 years apart, too close to call in a straight line and no twisties in sight which would throw the win to the better rider.

yes they stopped one race because of a curve!

It's drag racing from a rollon but that is the real world test of speed and acceleration. No reason those could not be track bikes though. I might take the older one if it was faster and not too much heavier than the newer bike. If your bikes are fast enough for you, then I think you will be waiting some time before there is anything that will be lighter and better handling enough that it makes a big dif.

My Garage:

* Last updated by: Kolk1 on 3/3/2014 @ 8:04 PM *

I wouldn't get rid of my gen1 to get a gen2, but if something rendered my bike un repairable I would buy a gen 2 without a doubt. But for now I'll tuff it out and keep riding my gen1 with my ohlins suspension, brembo goodies, Romans flashed, blah blah blah bike.

Kolk1, that's a good shot, compares the overall styling of the two Gens side by side. The new one does look pretty good, I think it's just those howitzers out back that turned me off at the stealer the other day. If I bought one, first thing I'd do is bolt up a set of Yoshimura R77s in carbon fiber.

If I were in need of a new bike, I'd definitely go with the R. That said, I'll prolly stay put for now.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 3/3/2014 @ 9:32 PM *

My initial impression of the R being a whale doesn't bear out in this shot, the two bikes appear similar in size, the grills are larger on the R which makes the front look more massive while the bazookas give the back a decidedly phat look. Lose the cannons and slip on a Brock's pipe and I think the bikes would be very close in size from a visual perspective. I can't pick a winner in the looks department here, both have styling elements that I like.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 3/3/2014 @ 9:44 PM *

Yeah Kruz...you've got a very fine stable of great bikes...you won't see that much difference in the 14R I don't think....maybe...but I doubt you'd be happy getting one to REPLACE your current bike(s).I'm a straight 14 guy...have always loved the 14 over anything else....and getting the new gen...it just upped the 14 'experience' for me personally...so I'm VERY happy with mine.It definitely feels 'better' to me than my 07...but some may not agree...and that's cool.No rash on the 14...no matter what year...they all rock;)

The Gen2 looks like it is swept forward more. Less bulbous fuel tank. Of course It seems a bit sharper edged all around. Have to say, the Gen 2 is a better looking bike. They did a great job on the styling without loosing the essence of the gen1.

Grn, I don't know, I'm still looking around. The 14R is no doubt a better machine but not sure if it's worth upgrading right now in my case. I'm looking at a lot of different bikes and nothing's really grabbed me by the short and curlies so far.....stay tuned!