Well, since I'm stuck here nursing my broken leg, it's probably a good time to do some thinking about
"KNGKAWI" my 06 ZX14. Right now it has just over 82 k miles. Now, those of you who know a bit about me understand that I'm just a miserably lazy SOB. I've been talking about getting my ECU flashed for over 3 years. Right now it has a full stainless Yosh 4:1 and a PC3. I would love more downlow power and dream of maybe power wheelies
Oh, did I mention the secondary butterflies are still in ? Yeah......
Anyhoo, should I bother with the bikes advanced age ? It still runs like a top.
Is Nels still the top guy ? Should I just get an H2?

I look forward to your input.

Mad

I was gonna say that we could try the bikes but forgot diff between Gen 1 and 2 . However, we can still do a lil comparison when you are ready .. It would just be straight line stuff cause I am old and slow when I half to turn :)

Buying a high school outfit with a short skirt, the high socks, and dress that up is your worn out wife, thinking you're going to ride a hot new young pretty is looking at the H2 and divorce that decrepit old bitch.

I've never ridden a Gen 1. That I understand, they do have less low end than Gen 2s (12+). But I have ridden many bikes and have to say there is something to the "woosh" that isn't as apparent in the Gen 2. The "woosh" is there, it's just mitigated by the increased low and mid rpm power. So while I would say yes, Gen 2 is obviously slightly faster (as stock/near stock bikes) the riding experience may actually be more fun with the more peaky feeling power delivery of Gen 1s have, at least if that's something you find exhilarating.

I would say, if you want a Gen 2 power delivery, get a Gen 2 because there's not much you're really going to be able to do to turn your Gen 1 into a Gen 2 (or H2..whatever), not even close tbh.

I think this is what Hub is saying. But I'm not entirely certain.

* Last updated by: VicThing on 3/15/2023 @ 8:22 PM *

Gen1 has lots of bottom end torque. Last on ramp I remember was having the K&N's on, the OEM element out of the cage, roll on the gas and the front end would lift on a downhill freeway ramp entry. The other 3 gens I went thru will not react the same. Go figure.

No, Madd, I meant at 80k miles, it's still a runner, but to pour performance parts in it would be a waste of time without measuring the 14's internal parts and see where you're at 'breakout' spec wise. Like saying if the piston skirt clearance was between .002" - .003" and you're at .002999996", it's a new piston to bring half of the clearance back, and a new cylinder spray and finish to bring the other half of the wear back to spec.

Personally, I would not resuscitate a dying horse(power).

Thanks for the advice. I'm still leaning towards getting a reflash to at least open the secondaries and turn the fan on earlier. I'm not interested in top end power since it's already almost impossible to use it as a street rider. I'm more interested in the low end grunt. Mine will only wheelie cresting road crowns and I don't like trying to clutch it up. I'm just wondering if I'm going to be attempting to beat an almost dead horse.

Mad

you could remove the secondaries?Pretty simple task.

Got a compression tester? 148 - 228 psi. Say 188 is a 40lb loss, 80 would more or less be breakout, meaning 147 is rebuild. 80 and 80 would put the mileage at 160,000 miles on the engine.

So say the engine has 80k if I read that right? If you're over 188, I'd flash it and keep the bike. I'm under 188 cold, I'd buy a new 14.