Hello everyone. So heres the deal. I want to buy a zx14. I curently own a Honda VTX1800. My wife also rides a cruiser. My issue is that my VTX is almost paid for and my wifes comment is "do you want to get into a new dept with a bike that you dont even know youll be comfortable in (in comparison to my cruiser, im 46 btw). Well, I cant really argue her point. Ive seen all the reviews that say how comfy the 14 is but in comparison to what? So to answer that question (and to make my buying experience easier (where talking Wife here), my question to you all is: Does anyone know anyplace that rents the zx 14r? I live in nothern PA (Stroudsburg). Hell id even consider jumping on a plane for a few hundred when $16K is at stake. Any insite wouls be greatly appreciated. Thabks!

Fly on out and ride mine.

Honey: This has a lot of power. You sure you want to jump on this powerful a bike?
Dear: I'm thinking, if we sell yours, you ride mine, I change my mind, it's yours.

Honey: But I like the cruzing and the comfort. I may not reach the ground and the weight remember.
Dear: But I'm really thinking hard about this bike. I think I want a change from that comfort you are referring to.

Honey: Well, I always liked yours. When we switched that day, I thought I could live with this too.
Dear: Why don't we do this. Agree we rotate the older model the more we weigh...

Honey:... Wait right there. Mine will last forever we keep up with the routine maintenance, use yours for...
Dear:... The higher trade-in value. That might work too.

Honey: Right, either way, do we really need 1 more bike to maintain sitting, rotting away we both...
Dear:... Right, you are riding the 14 more than me and...

Honey:... Oh don't bring that up, or I'll bring up your snoring and moaning 'i'm stew pit fast like the rest'
Dear: Rest it. What are we going to do?

Honey: Not listen to turtle. We are down to here and he's said shit, I mean fee sees.
Dear: Let me see that post. Did he say that?

Honey: No one listens to turtle. I sure don't, that dis gust ting peer sun.
Dear: I've seen bright her days, honey due list.

Thanks for the offer. Ill see if any possibilities show up in my area but if not, I might just take you up on that.

Finding a dealer with a used one would probably be your best bet. They don't let people take the new ones for test rides around here. Some will let you after you qualify for the loan. I doubt anyone is going to rent one though. It's way too much bike for Joe Public.

Doesn't Kawsaki sponsor "ride days" at certain times of the year? You might check around dealers in your area and see when it might be close.

Good luck. I dont think you will regret it if you get the zx14r.

Thanks for the input guys. Around my area, no one even has them in stock. They have to ship it in AFTER you buy it. What the hell is that about?? So you want me to drop $16k on a bike you cant even bother to have at least ONE for people to sit on? I'll keep my eyes out for close to local 14R groups. Maybe I can buddy up with one. Wish me luck.

I'm about 3.5 hours away. I'll meet you in the middle. Mine is a gen 1 though, but I'm sure the ergonomics are very similar. If you have fun on a gen1 you'll have the time of your life on a new model for sure.

Hey JustED,

I bought my 2002 VTX1800 new in 2001, I still have and still love it. Hate to see you need to decide between the two.

I can tell you this, I am 41 in September, had 3 back surgeries. I rode my VTX to Dallas, TX from Ohio and back a few years ago over 6 days (2 there, 2 back). I can ride the 14 far, but not that far.

I took it to TN,NC areas for a 4 day Deals Gap run with a buddy. I put on 1500 miles in those 4 days over interstate, back roads, towns/cities and the only real complaint I had my throttle wrist hurt for a couple hours one night. I have put on GenMar risers (really cant tell they are there if you look), but they make a difference. I also bought a used Connie seat for $100 and put it on for long rides. Its got a Gel section in it that really made the ride more comfortable.

Other than power enhancements (for the love of GOD get your ECU flashed after you get it broke in... its an entirely new and BETTER bike after) I have done nothing in the way of making it more plush.

A little more to put your mind at ease... from Dayton Ohio, my wife and best friend drove me up to Toledo, I did the paperwork, bought a new helmet and rode it back, that was the 1st time I rode one :)

Good luck with your decision, either way you will still have a great bike to ride VTX vs ZX. Let us know what you do.

So you want me to drop $16k

I think you need to shop around! I'm not sure where you are located but at my local dealer (Westfield, IN) they have 3 on the floor including a left-over 2013 for $11,500. The 2014's are under $13,000.

2013 left-over ZX-14R

2014 ZX-14R

* Last updated by: jwh20 on 7/19/2014 @ 2:35 PM *

I was fortunate to test ride a 14 in 2011 during a Kawi demo day event, but I don't see any current demo events scheduled on the kawi website. That is a great way to sell bikes, we went out for about 30 minutes on decent roads. I imagine they will do some next spring if you are not in a hurry.