As most of you know..............I was ALWAYS on the old board, but not here much after my crash.

Now that I am looking to get another 14 I'm noticing there are more and more 06-07 rod problems.

Is it me or is it a known weakness? How about 08-09 bikes?

I'd like to get somethig that is less prone to break and it seems first gen machines present the weaknesses that are later addressed by the factory.

Any input is greatly appreciated as I am doing my research now and hope to be on wheels by Spring

Want to put my stock 2008 back together?; have a winter project before spring arrives. If they changed the rods, this is the bike with quieter pistons too. 220psi, never dropped, high maintenance on engine & chassis parts ~ lubed/greased,sync, etc. Front fender tagged when tied down new. Rear part of tank has a tiny ding; touch up paint would hide it. I ran clear over it instead to stop rust/chipping. 24K on bike. Go to KBB, find retail, then click the trade-in price also. Meet me somewhere in the middle. Plastic parts are new take-offs packed in boxes. My parts come off, the OEM goes back on. Can't legally ride it that way home. I'll truck it to your door. Lifeshort. Time flies. Getherdone. You gonna eat year cheeze off your cheese paper?

While we're young!

No problems here Blue, are these guys running nitrous and drag racing? 1Bad's '06 had 30,000 miles, a lot it 1/4 mile at a time. He tore it down and reused the stock bearings, all still well within spec.

I think if you're gonna have #3 rod knock, it starts early.

I've found several w/ under 10K....some under 5K miles.

Be nice to get a basically new bike, but maybe something w/ avg miles would be better.

I have heard of one 08 throwing a rod and I almost want to say there was second I heard of. That is it though. I don't think it's as common as it was on the 06-07 (not that it ever was common even before the 08 update).

I think it was a small percentage but the owners were pretty vocal. Ghostrider got a rod knock at under a 1000 miles on his '07. Kawasaki fixed it under warranty. I've heard of a couple others, mine purrs like a kitten at 16,000.

"As most of you know..............I was ALWAYS on the old board, but not here much after my crash."
When did you crash, what happened? I remember you went down in the twisties a long time ago, if I remember correctly, you had a two brothers on there and it touched down and levered your back tire off the ground. It didn't look all that bad.

Some fool changing lanes gave me a choice - hurt or dead.....hurt included losing the 14 and a plate in my wrist.

I can just baby the 14....stay under 6K and no WOT or mods.

They call that "HONDA" LoL

Only other issue on the Gen 1 was the frame recall. That took all of 30 minutes to fix and they're prolly all done by now. Check the VIN plate for a punch mark after the number.

"Some fool changing lanes gave me a choice - hurt or dead.....hurt included losing the 14 and a plate in my wrist."

Wow, sorry to hear that, same thing happened to me last May on my old 10r, truck cut me off and ran me into a traffic island. Bike was wasted but I walked away with a scratched knee.....stuff happens, glad to here you're OK now.

RE: 06-07 rods
12/18/11 5:03 PM
"I can just baby the 14....stay under 6K and no WOT or mods.
They call that "HONDA" LoL"

You gotta at least pull the flies!

Had the plate for over 3 yrs now, but it's the cancer that's holding me back. I should be in shape to ride by Spring.

I went 700 miles before pulling the flies - 700 wasted miles LoL

Be cool if I end up buying one close enough to ride home in a day......approx 1000 miles will do - I've done that twice on a 14.

Cancer, what kind, are you in remission? Sorry to hear this, prayer sent!

Lymphoma - due for (hopefully) last round of chemo next Friday - then some radiation next month.

Need to let my hair come back so helmet will fit LoL

My younger brother has this, he's been in remission now for several years. We don't take life for granted anymore when these things happen to us. We tend to enjoy even the simple things so much more. Get healthy Blue and get that bike and enjoy!
BTW....get a red one this time, they're faster..LOl!!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/18/2011 @ 8:39 PM *

Red makes cops look......never cared for it.......unless Ferrari.

My prognosis is very good......should be fine.

I still have all those turbo bits in storage........ :-)