Well, here I am new to this ZX14 thing having recently purchased an '08 which is stock except a pair of Akrapovic slip-ons. I've had fast bikes before but never fast AND torquey. The thing is, I'm hoping there's more. I read about 1-3 gear power wheelies on stock bikes and mine is good for 1st gear one's at best. Plus, I've heard of these things shredding tires at will - yeah, right. The bike has 3500 miles on it and I'm sure nothing is wrong with it but it does seem to me like it runs a bit hot. Fan kicks on quite often even with light riding 3-4000rpm. I've looked into pulling the flies and putting a PC on. My problem is I can't seem to 1. find a consistent answer on the result of running no flies 2. Do I need a PC now with just the Akro's? 3. Is there a map out there that will work for the bike as it sits or after the fly-ectomy?
I'd like to get more power below 3K for the street riding I do but I also want it to rip more on top.

1:No flies with power commander, K&N and your slip-ons should be scarry all the way through the powerband. 2:Yes you need one. I have slip-ons w/o a PC on mine and I can tell it runs like shiznit. 3:Yeah there is a map for anything you have on your bike.

And all the 14's run a little warm. I think its just because the engine size and being wrapped in plastic fairings while cruising through and around town. Mine runs cooler going down the interstate at 100 then riding through town at 55.

I ditto what BigBlack says!

1) All 14's run a little hot, but there are mods you can do to help with that (ZX10 front fender, add another radiator fan, Water Wetter/Engine Ice, and/or switch to a full exhaust system)and all (minus the full exhaust) can be done on a budget.

2) Power wise, until/unless you get it in proper tune for your mods it will pull like a freight train from hell above 6k, under that it's exciting, but once you get it set up right, it will scream from the bottom of the range all the way to the top!

3) Although some might disagree, seems to me the easiest way to get things going is just to get a PC and a proper map for your set up, or if you have the time, expertise, or a friend with those, you can tune it to run just as well in stock config as some can with mods. See some of Hubs stuff, he's a guru with this bike and has a lot of good info! JM2C.

I know on the Gen 1 bikes you can get the TRE to open the flies faster in the lower gears. Is there any company out there that makes the computer have the secondaries open at all times (same effect as having no flies)?

I guess I'll be looking into getting PC in the future. Just need to save up some $$ and think about removing those flies. I hope I'm not let down by the increase in HP and torque!

Are you let down by the stock HP and TQ?

Yes, a little bit. It runs strong from 5-6K on up but I want even more grunt below that. I also would like the bike to be able to do 1st - 3rd power wheelies. Maybe when it isn't 85+ degrees out it will do that? Maybe my expectations were too high? I'm comparing it to a couple of R1's I had and in some ways it's better and some ways not so much. I know I ask a LOT of my bikes but who doesn't?

find a consistent answer on the result of running no flies

On a 2008 the gains will be almost non existent but if you're looking for all the power you can get do it-plus it's free. On the other side I think Ivan makes a TRE to lock the flies open but you'll have to say bye bye to your gear indicator. Check into that. More tq and hp at the bottom and top??? now that's greedy...lol The only way I see that happening involves a lot of money: Full exhaust system numero uno being Brocks ct duals or single and Akrapovic evolution. I have heard that full exhaust keep the bike cooler but I got mine back yterday and can't confirm. I went from muzzy slip ons to ct duals, added engine ice and replaced oil with amsoil 10w40. I'm 2 bars under max in city traffic which is not bad but I was expecting more especially on a sub 90 deg day! I'm debating whether I should add another fan and go to zx 10 fender.

Do I need a PC now with just the Akro's?

Although some might disagree, seems to me the easiest way to get things going is just to get a PC and a proper map for your set up, or if you have the time, expertise, or a friend with those, you can tune it to run just as well in stock config as some can with mods. See some of Hubs stuff, he's a guru with this bike and has a lot of good info! JM2C.

1st 2nd and 3rd wheelie!? Maybe you shoulda gotten a zx 12! in 1st it's easy even with slip ons... I had high mileage map pushing just 154hp and it was easy to power wheelie in first. in 2nd with that setting I'm not sure with my full ct duals? hell yeah. Dropping 1 gear up front should give you more tq as well and make her come up easier. Now third I'm not ready to venture there too much speed on 1 wheel for a newbie like me

* Last updated by: dragking on 8/4/2011 @ 6:38 PM *

oh I forgot. instead of writing all that I should have directed you to this

* Last updated by: dragking on 8/4/2011 @ 6:33 PM *

So, after all your helpful comments I think I'm just going to leave it stock. Maybe even sell it next spring. It just doesn't give me the same thrills an MX bike like I was hoping it would. It is a fun commuter though. I also rode it back-to-back with an '08 FJR1300 (apples to oranges comparison) and that supposedly fast and torquey Yamaha felt like a sleepy dog compared to the 14. VERY comfortable though. Just can't see giving up that much HP for comfort though. I'm sure I'll change my mind again in the next few weeks and fall in love with the 'ol ZX

Ok I guess I gotta be the A hole here...Why in the world would you even want to do a 3rd gear power wheelie? I cant see anything good happening from going 100+ on one wheel.

You're not being an a-hole at all. Let me get this straight: I'm in my 40's and I do not have a death wish. I don't go out and pull wheelies and ride them for miles like a full on stunter. All I want is the ability to do so. If I'm going to wheelie I'd rather have it just be a slow floating one where the front wheel never gets over about 6 inches off the ground. I don't want to mod the heck out of my bike and swap sprockets so that I spin 6000rpm going down the highway. Like usual, it's just me wanting and expecting too much. Riding on the street can be quite boring compared to going all out on an MX track even if the speeds are exponentially higher. I just thought the 14 would make me think somewhat otherwise.

Well from what I have read and what people have told me is that the 14 likes to break traction before it will raise the front end. I might be wrong on that, but thats what I have read and heard. I was talking to a mechanic a few days ago and he said he just removed the flies for someone and installed some slip-ons and PC on a 14. He said he test drove it after wards and the bike broke traction at around 80mph when he opened it up. He weighs around 185 or so. I red lined mine in 1st today for the first time. I weigh 310 pounds or so and when I get on it I put my weight forward. I didnt raise the wheel any.

My problem is I can't seem to:
1. find a consistent answer on the result of running no flies: Probably won't find a definitive answer. We both have the same bike. I've owned the first year. Bad driveability where the flies need to be removed for your own safety. Because once you commit, last thing you want is a lag. The first two years needed the "fly-ectomy." Our year and above, we ignore it. I've been through the ringer with so many throttle body swaps [having two sets] I can play with. One is fly'd, the other is ectomied. I went back and forth like as fast as I could, swap&ride so there was no lag of memory on my part about all these tunes thrown at it. Well, guess WOTheWATT I found? I found out you are better off with the shift window working. They at the factory, nailed the opening for our bike. Do you want low grunt? Guess what? You are going to have to wind up like me. You are going to have to run stock pipes for your low grunt work, then swap pipes, turn on your favorite piggy and go shred.

2. Do I need a PC now with just the Akro's?: Oh, fuck no! In fact, do yourself a favor, pull the air cleaner out, razor off the screen's melted tabs that keep it in place. This is so you have a little grunt back in the bike.

3. Is there a map out there that will work for the bike as it sits or after the fly-ectomy? Tons to choose from. Keep plugging in the ripper or wheelstander.

I'd like to get more power below 3K for the street riding I do but I also want it to rip more on top: Yeah well, I told you up in the bold print WOT is up with your situation. Wanna buy my bike? It's bone stock. Jumps, spins, rips, wheelies, churns the wheel to shreds. One day you want to have the grunt galore, next time out you take your all out setup [other bike that is]; Pissed to shit PC'd and open pipe the louder the better no air cleaner kind of top end job bike. That is your only out, fella.

Freak'inn guy wants to make me go out an shred on the loud one with the fly-ecotomy! I shouda bought another 14 instead darn it!

* Last updated by: Hub on 8/9/2011 @ 6:46 PM *

SHE RED! Can't wait for my tires to wear out...

^^^ LoL Im lost now

Well, it's finally cooled off here a bit and the bike has livened up considerably. These things must run REALLY rich from the factory. I can't wait to ride it away from the traffic on a cool 65 degree day.