I just came home from a 920mile round trip yesterday and the zx performed outstanding. Was great to have the speed on two lane roads passing and in general. Enjoyed being able to take the bike. Not sure I will take it on a longer trip again as it was not near as comfortable as my cruiser with ultimate seats and highway pegs. My zx has a center stand which was nice when I sprayed my chain 1/2 was through the trip. I have a givi trunk and put a bag on the seat so I had plenty of storage. I put a extra pad on the stock seat but by the end of the riding days my butt still hurt. Definitely need an aftermarket seat, although I do not think and aftermarket seat would be all day comfortable because they are made for the zx not a traveling bike. I had always heard that people use busas and zx for traveling and it can certainly be done but I think there are better choices for long trips. Was wondering how everyone sets up their zx for longer trips?

My longest single day on the ZX was 625miles. I do have an aftermarket seat, but I was tired and sore at the end of the journey. I have done a similar distance on a VFR800 and that bike was more comfortable but only slightly. Worst trip ever was 425 miles on a 2008 ZX10r. Wanted to kill myself after that day lol.
I use a dry bag system across the pillion seat, enough room for several days worth of gear. I have used Sargent seats (VFR), Saddleman (ZX10R (after the 425mile trip)) and currently a Corbin on the 14R. Everyone of those seats were a massive upgrade in long distance comfort.

To me 625 miles is a good day on any bike. I am thinking about the gels seats with the channel in them? Maybe a corbin but I had a corbin on an fjr and I did not care for it.

Billy try an airhawk, they have a 60 day money back guarantee if you don't like it

I rode about 2500 miles in 5-6 days on a 2006 ZX-10R and a 2011 Husqvarna TE630 (dual sport). The Husky has an aftermarket seat. I was a lot more comfortable on the Husky, but pretty wind beaten by the time the trip was over. The ZX-10R was pretty brutal, but I had a great time.

I have yet to take a long trip on the 14R.

Forgot about airhawk, that's probably the ticket. That's just it if the zx is a less comfortable than some other bikes it makes it up in fun factor.

Did a 1700 mile trip 2-up on the 14. The trick is to break it up into slightly shorter days. Only do the massive mileage days if you have to. I never got sore or tired on the entire trip. Had a blast.

Mad

I did a 750-mile day on the way back from Pa. a couple of summers ago, but it wasn't much fun. Just trying to get home in a day. Took a day-and-a-half to get there. I've done several 650-milers, all getting home, but usually keep it to less than 500 per day heading out. Once I'm where I want to be, a few days of sub-350-mile loops are the longest days. Gotta take time to stop and smell the wildflowers. 3000+ mile weeks and 1300+ mile long weekends are the norm.

* Last updated by: Danno on 7/17/2015 @ 11:16 AM *

I did a 750-mile day on the way back from Pa. a couple of summers ago, but it wasn't much fun.

I still feel bad I couldn't join you for a scoot that trip.

About 50 miles is all I can handle on mine. Both of my hands will start to go numb beyond that.

* Last updated by: Nastynotch on 7/17/2015 @ 4:28 PM *

If I were smart I would invent an Alternating Pressure Pad saddle.

For a New York minute in '97 I worked as a driver for a nation home medical equipment company. A popular item I delivered was the alternating pressure pad... it combats bed sores.

It's simply a pad you roll out onto the bed. It has channels molded into it in the transverse direction. The pad has two pneumatic ports in the corner to which a compressor is attached. It's a vibratory compressor with two pumps and a control spool managed by a timer.

During operation, the controller spool will allow compressed air to flow through one of the supply tubes resulting in half of the pads channels inflating (every other one). After two minutes the control spool will shift causing the pressurized circuit to deflate and the opposite circuit to inflate. Now the pads channels will shift in response. The net result is anyone laying on the pad will have their blood circulated that was previously cut off due to compression.

That's why my butt and my legs ache: the blood stops moving. If I stand up out of the saddle for 5 seconds all the aches stop.

They do have those air adjustable seats...and the air moves around depending on where your sitting.I found the Connie seat was extremely good on the zx.VERY plush and vibe free.Have you thought about installing some Buell pegs on there?They actually do make a difference.Possibly some Genmars...they help a lot as well(ergos).

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 7/17/2015 @ 5:13 PM *

I still feel bad I couldn't join you for a scoot that trip.-hagrid

I got to experience some really beautiful country I had only skirted through in a cage before. Kinzua Bridge was a really neat stop. Quite stark looking down in the valley at the wreckage of the half that fell. One of my friends up that way has since moved to northern Indiana, but the other is still in the Pittsburgh area. I have an open invitation there and will probably make my way back next summer after he gets moved into his new abode. I'll be sure and post up when I do. Always so much better to meet people in person, ride some days and party some nights.

I've been using a Roho Airhawk, which is made near here and was invented by people who make inflatable wheelchair seat pads. When you shift your weight, you can feel the air squishing out of the weighted part and into the unweighted part. Makes those long days in the saddle much more tolerable.

* Last updated by: Danno on 7/17/2015 @ 5:21 PM *

I've never done 750 in a day, not sure I want to. 600 some is the most I have done. Concour 14 seat is an idea might look for one on ebay.

Riding with the air hawk is ,if you get into the twisty roads you have to ride old school , keep your butt planted and shift your upper body

The Concours seat idea is kinda funny: Guys on the Concours forums sometimes buy the ZX14 seat. Grass is always greener?

Take long trips all the time and now with my ZX. Heli Risers help but to be honest I don't find it uncomfortable. Planning a 3 day rip beginning of next month.
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/48.9814578,-122.270819/48.4702287,-120.1752365/48.0295778,-119.8936616/47.4393069,-120.6625771/46.7989353,-120.4619342/45.794583,-120.8175069/44.5439792,-121.1021874/43.9856859,-117.2149956/46.3993645,-116.8000764/49.1113958,-122.0455513/@46.7402545,-119.124352,6z/data=!4m22!4m21!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-118.8127251!2d44.4382339!3s0x54bb1a42cd3ce977:0x3d95648aa0419755!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-116.7914685!2d49.6041158!3s0x537b53e5029c8ce7:0x55745fd084be55ef!1m0!3e0?hl=en

3 days ... 1700 miles? Wow!

I have a 2011 with 33k . From central Ohio . I've done several long trips .This year , to W.Va and around 1,000 , going to Nova Scotia in three weeks . Last year , the big one was northern Ontario .Two years ago, Hudson river valley are some of my trips . Bike is the same as it was leaving the factory . Average 300 / 350 a day

My first day on my 2012 ZX14 was 540 miles. I picked it up in Rockingham, NC and rode home to western PA. It's great for distance. I have some decent soft luggage that I use. Just after Memorial Day I went for a trip around New England for a week and racked up 2,400 miles. Most of my miles are commuting, about 110 miles per day. I have around 23,000 miles on her now... getting time to replace the chain and sprockets soon.

I've only had her out once for a decent road trip, for about a week. Lots of sweepers and some tighter canyon roads involved, but more open country than not. Seems to be what this bike is made for. Bone stock except for adding a radiator guard, some soft luggage, 300-450 mile days, I'm 6'2" 230, can't wait to do it again, or at least take longer day trips.

Hey Nasty, you might want to try bar risers if you don't already have them and a set of Grip Puppies. The Puppies increase the diameter of the grips and are foam. Since I put them on my hands rarely go numb. Now I hate the feel of bare grips.

Mad

Oh yes I have both. I machined my own bar risers, and bought the grip puppies. Both helped comfort, but my numb hands persist. I also installed a throttle lock and that's really the only thing that saves me, but it only helps at a steady speed. I just live with it and take breaks often.

* Last updated by: Nastynotch on 7/20/2015 @ 2:13 PM *

Nasty, Do you get numbness due to putting weight on your wrists or is it from high frequency vibration? If it's from vibration, I used a product called a Vibranator on my old VFR and it helped a lot. It mounts inside your handlebars with a new bar-end and it's movement cancels out the vibration in the bars pretty well. I don't know if they have ones for the ZX14, but I just emailed them to find out.

It has to be vibration, because when it sets in, I have to remove my hand(s) completely from the grip to get relief. Even laying my fingers lightly against the grip will cause it to continue. My hands have done this since the first time I ever rode a street bike as well (99 GSX-R 750), and usually starts within 20 mins. I started riding dirt bikes at age 5, but it wasn't until I hit the street that this started happening.