Hi everybody,

I bought my 2006 zx14 in perfect conditions about 6 months ago, she is totally stock no alterations at all and the only things I did was lowering her one click and some helibar raisers. I'm a 44 old guy who always wanted to have a Ninja since the zx12 appear. Now that I have this monster I've being enjoying it so much although I suffer from lower back conditions from combat in Iraq. All the old guys that I ride with they are always telling me to get rid of my bike since I'm too old for it and to get a cruiser. For the most part, I love my bike with passion and sometimes when I'm not riding it I just sat down just to look at it which for me is kinda therapy. I don't want to get rid of the bike and to feel better I want to know how many old guys are out there with 14s, thank you.

61 here and 37 years in construction, so no stranger to back maladies. Rode for about an hour today, but 500-mile days are no problem. Nothing like some 90 mph sweepers to clear the head.

55 and 6 bad discs. I can only ride about 45 minutes at a time, but it would be less with a cruiser. Leaning forward and carrying weight on the balls of my feet is way more comfortable than sitting upright and my back absorbing all the punishment. Besides, on a ZX14 I can get pretty far in 45 minutes.

sometimes when I'm not riding it I just sat down just to look at it which for me is kinda therapy. I don't want to get rid of the bike and to feel better I want to know how many old guys are out there with 14s, thank you.

I'm 46. Good back and everything else. No problems riding but must admit it is nice to get in a cage sometimes.

All the old guys that I ride with they are always telling me to get rid of my bike since I'm too old for it and to get a cruiser.

I get the same. I just let them know how much fun I'm having. Then, Give back a little, ask them how the gas brake and left right is treating them, because it looks like a big yawn lol. All in good fun off course.

46 here also. Also no stranger to back pain. Rented, borrowed, traded with others on almost every cruiser you can name.

For me, when my back is straight up and down and all my weight is resting squarely on my tail bone I can feel Every bump in the road. A little lean forward puts some weight on the legs & arms and takes some off the back bone. This lets your spine flex over the bumps instead of compressing straight down on the disks. Don't be fooled by that big comfeee seat.

For the most part, I love my bike with passion and sometimes when I'm not riding it I just sat down just to look at it which for me is kinda therapy. I don't want to get rid of the bike and to feel better I want to know how many old guys are out there with 14s, thank you.

3RD that. Allot that go cruzzzzz Bike soon find there way back, but are down 25,000 in the wallet.

65 years old here with a metal hip, a bad knee and a couple other little problems, but I love to ride and plan to do so till I just can't anymore. I put 50,000 miles on my turbo Blackbird in 5 seasons and put 8000 miles on my ZX-14 since buying it mid July. There was a trip to Little Switzerland NC from north Jersey and back in there that took 4 1/2 days, one of which was spent riding with my buddies down there in the twisties.
Ranger, I think you ought to stop riding with those "old guys" and start riding with some young one's like us...lol
Best of luck to you and Thank You for your service!
Hank

I don't understand how a forward shifting bike can work.And those harleys with apehangers.Looks like there on a medeval rack.I like my bike and I'm 57.I went to the gym last week to start lifting and riding the bike.Hope a winter of excersise can help my back.
Craig

The over the tank lean and tucked down helps stretch my back so its a nice change from standing upright all day. Have to do it for another reason and that is to avoid cold temps. If the sun is out and over 45F I'll ride to a store. Exercising abs helps the lower back although dont know your injury. I'm 42 and get a thrill from my ninja every time I ride. Although thinking of buying a new 2012 zx14R next year.

I have a cruiser (suzuki boulevard M109), and a sport/touring bike (zzr1200). I also owned a zx14 for about 8 months. I feel the sport bike to be a lot more comfortable for longer rides, and it allows me to stretch my back in ways that a cruiser could never do. By the way, I am only 46.

"44 yr old 'old guy'"...first..Thank you for your work in Iraq...it isn't in vain.Secondly...have any of those guys ridden your bike?I'd say to the next one that says something..."look...here's my baby...here..you ride er and I'll take yours..we'll change back whenever ya want...go ahead...you don't want to miss this deal here"...and that's what I'd do.Honestly.Hey...you love yer 14....me too...done exactly what you have...just look at er..yup.I'm 59...wrecked my 2012 3 months ago....new one's on it's way.This'll be the 3rd zx14 I've owned.Best bike on the planet IMO.Those guys...they really don't know what they're missing...they don't.Feel kinda sorry for em...don't you?It's YOUR bike...YOUR feelings...YOUR life...you love yer machine....that's all that matters.They have what they want...cool.

BTW...my lower back is shot as well...have a fusion in there...for 20 years now...but still...at times...it can get tired.Leaning in on the tank,and relaxing...that makes it go away...and stopping from time to time to grab a quick cigar...that helps...but I'm never in pain or anything FROM THE BIKE.Riding it IS excellent stretching and therapy.

So you're like...playing with that 50cal...they're using their slings and rocks...hmmmmm....yeah,I feel for em alright!Sometimes ya know..."ignorance is Bliss"... (actually,sometimes slings and rocks are pretty damn effective! )

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/26/2012 @ 6:30 PM *

56 here. Had my 14 for 6 yrs. My shoulders are toast from 4 decades of commercial salmon fishing. The pain has been worth the ride. Track days, speed runs and lots of trips.
I will be the one deciding when I switch bikes.
Not the rest of the herd.
As it is, I have been shopping cruisers for a couple years now. Just not ready to give up my hyperbike yet.

* Last updated by: skiffman on 11/26/2012 @ 11:07 PM *

54 years old here and I heard the same crap about "you're to old for that bike and it will kill your back." I had never rode a crotch rocket before and it was on my bucket list! My seat and bars are stock and I usually don't ride more than a tank at a time. I try and stay off the interstate because that is not why I bought a bike. I enjoy looking at my ZX14 Rocketship about as much as I do riding it. Ride on Brother!

54 here and I simply wont ride anything other than a sport bike. I borrowed a Triumph Rocket for a trip to Yosemite and the upright position nearly killed me! Butt pain , back pain, neck pain. Terrible. The ZX14 spreads the load out on your thighs and shoulders so it's pretty comfy. Bar risers made it more so. I'll keep riding mine until I kick the bucket.

Mad

+3 Thanks for your service.

You read that thread about the ZX14 Owners Group? Pretty good reading, all those "old" guys like you 'an *me*!

I got a cruiser. She sits in the garage now most of the time, whines when I take the Ninja out to play every day. Now, she's kinda like a boring GF that's past a due date for a dumping.

Ride On, Ranger, Ride On. You got the Right Ride On...

I just started the ab work at the gym today.Really could feel the burn.Want to be ready by spring.Hope I lose 20 lbs .
Craig

"old"? You are never to old to enjoy yourself. lol

42, and loving my ZX14 even with bad knees and bum shoulder from years of volleyball. I rode the other night after cleaning her up...31 degrees.
Looking to sell so I can fund a side-by-side or 4-wheeler to enjoy with the kids.
If it doesn't sell...oh well...I'll keep it for the when the kids get older. lol

Hey Guys.Just joined the forum. I'm 61 and now have about 1300 miles on my 11 ZX-14. Love the bike. Had to put an airshifter on it to make that 1-2 shift though. Couldn't get my feet back on the pegs quick enough. Can't wait to get it to our local dragstrip.

I'm 60,I can do 800km days,mind you at the end of the day I just want a beer,my back is a pain,my throttle hand is a constant pain,my bones are barometers,the more I ride the faster the aches and pains go away

I don't think age is a factor. But what physical condition you are in is certainly a factor. I am 63 and I don't have problems with my ZX-14 nor my CBR 1000.

I would support a migration to a cruiser only to go for a Yamaha V-Max or a Ducati Diavel, yeah!

42yrs old here,24yrs in construction, so my back is far from perfect. I think if I lowered my standards and bought a cruiser the pain of being passed by every guy on a sportbike would be far greater than the pain I feel in my lower back after a long day on my 14. Maybe you should let some of your crusier buddies ride your bike...then you'll have buddies with a zx14 for sure.

I'm 57 and have been riding since the age of 14. Every morning when I go out to the garage and see Mighty Blue sitting there I ask myself "Are you kidding me? Really?" My ride to work is only about 15 miles but I take the bike every time. We just bought a new Honda Accord and I could take it if I wanted to, but I don't. Even with my new artificial knee which gets a little tight on the bike, I still ride. I thought by now I'd be riding a cruiser or something like it. Not gonna happen. This bike is the ultimate for the mind and body.

First of all , I also want to thank you for your service , I appreciate what you did.
I'll be 59 in June . This will be my 2nd year with the 14 . Last year I did 12k miles mostly in and around the state. Two big trips , first being 1900 miles to the Upper Penisula of Michigan . Averaged 300 mi a day. Was sore at night (mostly butt and knees) but bounced back the next morning . Planning to go at it again this summer if God is willing. Blue Ridge and the Dragon in April and 2000 rt mi up north in Aug/Sept.

I WAS thinking of adding a cruiser to the stable next spring . Mostly to have something different and to keep from adding miles to the 14. Im thinking of Ebay with a dealer . There are two on there now if it was this time next year (getting the 14 paid off ) that I would be interested in . !. A 2012 Vulcan 900 classic , 0 miles ,asking 6450 , Powhatan Ohio and the 2 being a 2010 Valcan 1700 , 0 miles asking 8725 Evansville Indiana . Both dealers.

But, reading you guys and the fact that the 14ZX is better to ride than a cruiser on trips ,I might have to re-think . Maybe a 900 around home and keep the 14 for the bigger trips ?

Having a 14 is very much like having a 'Harley'...IMO.I have serious ownership 'pride' in the 14R.Much more than I did with my Harley Heritage....and that was a very nice bike.I couldn't see ditching my 14R for a cruiser...I just couldn't.I love this bike....nothing else could replace it....certainly not a dedicated cruiser...no way.

I'm 56 and why the hell would you want a cruiser unless you dont mind being blown off the road by wackos like us riding 14's.

Bought my 14 at age 55 as my ZX11 replacement. What a bike! I love riding it although I did add an FJR to my stable for the long haul vacations. Maybe an age thing?