Rode over to the local Kawasaki dealer this afternoon and took a peak at the new 14R in Passion Red. That's my color and if this bike was going to move me, this would be the one. Sat on it only, no test ride. Here are my thoughts, I like the color but just can't get excited about this machine and trying to figure out why. First I think is the price tag, they were asking a hair over $15,000 out the door for the ABS model...ouch! With trade in, I 'd still be on the hook for ten grand. Then the size, the bike just feels and looks gargantuan to me, my old 14 looks svelte by comparison. The between the legs test made it feel heavy and bulky. Looks wise, I prefer the old one better, it's aged we'll and has got a classic look to it now like the old Hayabusas do.

I'm sure the bike is faster, more powerful and has better brakes, not to mention TC and ABS but there's just not enough pluses there to make me go into debt.

For that kind of drive out cash, we're getting dangerously close to several Euro bikes that would stir my soul.

Looks like my trusty '06 will be staying for awhile.

Try a Speed Triple.

There was a guy in my area who installed 2012 ZX-14R complete body kit to his 2009 Monster Edition

Kofla

Riding My Own Biography
2010 ZX-14 MotoVlog

WOW I'm surprise he was able to do that! Cool. Kruz we should put it to bed, it is what it is. I thought I actually liked the 14R more but the day I crashed, I started looking at 14R's because I thought the bike was going to get totaled and I wasn't interested for the same reasons. It looks too bulky around the fins. The 14 can pass as an old sport bike (size wise) but the 14R is definitely on the touring side. You should test ride it, the front end is better and the motor really smooth.

* Last updated by: dragking on 2/2/2013 @ 9:29 PM *

I actually liked the 14R more

Who needs a 14R when we have THIS, and all the perks that come along with it. lol

Kofla

Riding My Own Biography
2010 ZX-14 MotoVlog

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 2/2/2013 @ 8:57 PM *

Yea, I can see the forks being an improvement, the old ones are like a featherbed, nice and comfy but a bit scary if you try to push the pace. Motor smoother, really? My 14 runs like a sewing machine already, hard to imagine something smoother.

I really wanted to like this bike, tried to look at it with an open mind but the passion is just not there like it was with the first 14. Same thing Jag was talking about really. I think the bazooka pipes were the biggest turnoff for me, let's face it, none of these bikes have what you would call beautiful stock exhausts but those bad boys look like they came off an old WWII rocket launcher.

I think Jag is really on to something with that middleweight Triumph. It's got enough speed to get you into real trouble but you have to work at it. The hyperbikes are getting way over the top for the street, they're home should be the drag strip. Could less be more?

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/2/2013 @ 9:07 PM *

Hey, don't get me wrong here, it's not just the 14R that I'm picking on for going the wrong way in the styling department, Honda screwed up the CBR1000RR in 2008, Yamaha made a mess out of the R1 in '09, Kawasaki botched the styling on the '11 ZX-10R redesign. Suzuki's the only one that didn't flub it but that's because they left the Gixxer alone.
Biggest stuff up IMHO was redoing the Busa in '08. The performance is there but it looks too hormonal for my taste, like they injected it full of steroids to pump up it's flanks.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/2/2013 @ 9:30 PM *

yeah, that GenI busa tail was a hard act to follow. They should have left that closer to how it was. I guess they thought they had to change something significant about the look to call it a GenII. I'm used to it now. It actually looks nice without the horkin' passenger peg brackets on there and the fender eliminated and the bulbous directional lights popped back in with the Hot Bodies black out kit. i have a hugger coming too.

I really like what they did with the fins on the 14r. That was an excellent way to honor the lineage and do something new at the same time. The GenII fins look like they were thought out very well. That is what I will complain about on the GenI 14, our fins were something thast they came up with in a hurry so that the bike would have something distinctive. I doubt if they really planned it the way it should have been planned from the early design stages. Imean, they look good but sorta an afterthought ...that didn't go too awry. They look fine.

The 14R is definitely smoother than my 07 14..... When it was stock it was very scary do to the fact it didn’t feel nearly as fast as it was....

I had the Opposite effect when I first saw a Black 2011 in the showroom parked right next to a (my) 2012 ZX14R IMO their & then it dated the previous one heaps I truely felt envious! after the first test ride my wife replied once I signed for it that she never felt as safe on my 2010 ZX1400 like she did on my former 04 CBR1100xx and this one has that safe feeling plus a lot better seat ! Heavy Hell no!(im only 5' 6.5") She turns in,brakes & handles way better than my 2010 did! yes i spent 5k on the other one & she only had a shade over 5,000kms on her & yes too I paid $7500 extra to change over! any regrets????? I have NOT ONE! my new beast is like how my 2010 ZX1400 dated my 04 Blackbird in every area! the same way my 2012 ZX14r does to my 2010ZX1400

* Last updated by: bean07 on 2/15/2013 @ 1:57 AM *

Hey BeanMeister, I like this new avatar, please post the full size pic, that's a cool shot with you and the missus....

^^^ Lol! That's Bean in the background! His riding buddy is in the foreground.

Hey BeanMeister, I like this new avatar, please post the full size pic, that's a cool shot with you and the missus

Full size picture is HERE.

Kofla

Riding My Own Biography
2010 ZX-14 MotoVlog

Man am I ever embarassed, I knew my vision wasn't all that great but........dang...BeanMate, my apologies, I think I may be going blind!

BTW, love them shots of OZ, reminds me of small town America in a simpler ...and much better time that may be lost forever.

g'day!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/15/2013 @ 12:43 PM *

BTW, love them shots of OZ, reminds me of small town America in a simpler ...and much better time that may be lost forever.
g'day!

Hey BeanMate, have a Guiness Stout for me at the Sip 'n Suds, what's the house specialty?

Oops..that would be the Sip 'n Save, I really do need to get my prescription checked!

LOL I'll have a LIght premium beer tomorrow & say cheers to yer Kruz ps. when I do that I,ll get someone to take a photo of it for ya Bro

Hey kruz, i may be pretty but i aint his bitch.

Hey kruz, i may be pretty but i aint his bitch.

Beally, all I can really say is my bad, that avatar pic was so small.....oh anyway I'm just digging myself a deeper hole, you guys enjoy your beer down at the Sip 'n Save and ride safe!

As I dont finance toys this is all a mute point BUT
if I did have about $17k laying about I would get the 14R and add slipons, a tall ZG screen and Speigler bars in a heartbeat. The only sport touring bike I want.
Was just out hammering the 14 yesterday and see no need to replace it after 35k miles....,still rocks my world!
Might get a cruiser for putting about but wont be replacing Big Red any time soon.
Was thinking of softening my track day suspension and lowering the rear ride height back to near stock, but then I hit some corners (with my gal on back) and blew by a dweeb on a gixxer and said naaah.

Here ya go Kruz I said cheers to ya today

* Last updated by: bean07 on 2/16/2013 @ 11:02 PM *

Bean, I'm happy to see you were consuming a non-alcoholic beverage, cheers, looks like you guys were having a great time!