Should you consider a Kawasaki ZZR1400/ZX-14r?

[@PikesBikes]

I have a gen 1 version ZX14. In the past I've had R1's, Blades, you name it. And nothing... Nothing has ever scared me like the ZX-14 has. It's handling is amazing, it always tracks it's line and I can't even make it run wide. I have givi luggage and she's super comfortable and touring capable. But this isn't a sports bike. It's a hyper bike in a category where there are only 2. This and the slower Busa. I have a video of me doing 60-140 in 6 seconds flat, in 3rd gear! That's quicker than an 1100bhp Veyron. Kawasaki ZX14... There is simply, no substitute 🚀

[@Sandman.68.]

Agreed 👍😎😎 2011 gen 1 , there's fast , then there's Full Throttle 😁

[@gdfggggg]

I want one. I had a 27yr break and went out and bought a zzr1100 👀 Took me a while to get used to it. I just rode slow everywhere and gradually built up my confidence.

[@cjrides.1]

Yea i know the feeling, im still getting use to this monster of a machine!

[@MichaelD1008]

I sold my zx10r two years ago because I wanted to take my wife with me... so now I have the ZZR with a few modifications.... Bodis Pentac exhaust system, Öhlins TTX36, MRA Racing screen. 190/55 rear instead of 190/50ZR17 rear tires. Greetings Michael

[@cjrides.1]

I dont blame you, ive been a pillion on sports bikes before and its not comfortable at all. I want a new screen because the standard one is useless for wind protection, hows the MRA one?

[@MichaelD1008]

@@cjrides.1 As I said, I mounted the racing screen from MRA, the touring screen does not have this dome in the middle and is therefore flatter. I liked the Racing better... but both do their job well. I have installed MRA's on all my Kawasaki's... and have always been very happy with them.

[@bombaya85]

My answer is a resounding yes! I am too big for a regular sport bike, standing 188cm and built like a shit brick house I need something spacious. And since these aren`t sold anymore as new in Norway, I want to grab one before they become rarer than unicorn farts.

[@cjrides.1]

Im not overly tall but i have still struggled a bit with the position of it, its not a sports bike position by any means by its more sport than sat up right tourer, ive just fitted some 65mm risers to mine which i hope will make a huge difference. I think the only place they are still available new is the U.S, certainly nowhere in Europe, and so many people love these bikes i can see them holding their value very well.

[@PCG2022]

I was wondering why the temp was really low on the left at them speeds :) Must be cold weather. I have a 2010 Limited edition and it was my 2nd bike. I only passed 2 years ago in April. I had a GSX1250FA for when I passed my part 2, however, this thing rattled and buzzed so bad I couldn't enjoy the ride so traded it in for the Big Z! I'll never have another machine other than a Gen 2 when funds allow. What a machine! A great amount of info in this video as well m8, pretty much spot on! I'm coming close to my rear tire needing replacement. Pilot Road 6!! Close to 6.6K already on the rear and I don't hang about :) The front is still perfect.

[@cjrides.1]

If i remember rightly it was pretty cold that morning. Great decision, it is an amazing machine.

[@andysmith-ne1qs]

I had 2 ZX 14 s , an 08 and then an 09 . Best bike I ever had , terrific fun super dramatic . Toured all over western US . Comfy stable temptress ..touring at warp speed is the best . Gave it up at age 72 , too much knee tuck . Got a Diavel, a much more demand ing bike altogether but upright riding posture is great . Current plan is a Concours . If you have the opportunity to ride one do so .

[@timmy3822]

Test riding one on Saturday. I’m hoping the leg tuck isn’t too aggressive, if it feels good I think it’s a definite buy!

[@turboboy0]

Almost 3 years ago I was in the dealer to buy a new hayabusa but after sitting on it and seeing the price the salesman asked if I had even considered the zx14r and I said no. I’ve been a Suzuki rider since 1991. Just for the hell of it I tossed a leg over a zx14r and then checked the price. 3 days later I rode my zx14r home. Would have done it sooner but I never ride in the rain. Still love my 14 and it still scares the crud out of me.

[@granite676]

2013 ZZR with straight bar conversion from ABM germany SO much more comfortable , 300+ miles a day comfy 😉👍 (bit heavy on juice though but who cares ,it's a bike ! )

[@chopper.mk5094]

Thanks for the review. It was very helpful. I've been off bikes for 11 years and have just bought a ZZR14 which i will be collecting in a few days. I've had the ZZR11 and 6 before, a TL1000R and GSXR750 so glad to hear its easy to ride so i can slowly build up my confidence again.

[@cjrides.1]

Congratulations on your purchase! Have fun, let us know how you get on! 🏍️

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

How are you getting on with the ZZR?

[@chopper.mk5094]

@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne Good thanks you. Been out a few times on it and am looking forward to the warmer and drier weather

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Good to hear. I agree, roll on summer...@@chopper.mk5094

[@Sandman.68.]

There is nothing like this bike, throttle wide open its unbelievable 😁👍👍

[@cjrides.1]

It certainly is, hold on for dear life!

[@greywolf9292]

A spot on description of this legend of a bike 👍 It's not a Sports bike yet it gives you just as much thrill. It's not a straight out touring bike but it does the miles with comfort for both rider and pillion, can carry luggage and loves munching miles. You don't have to wring it's neck to get to where your making " very good progress"!! It's so smooth and you somehow feel like it's got your back. It remains King of motorcycles for all these reasons. Your spot on with the Michelin Road 5's or 6's perhaps even Pirelli Angel GT 2's but I've heard the twin grooves on the front tyre tend to track? A 55 rear is supposed to help corner turn in, I'm going down that route myself whenever the Bridgestone's ( don't mind the wet but don't like cold and wet) need replacing. As for a touring screen I fitted the Zero gravity one, it doesn't look too out of place and does lift turbulent air to the top of your helmet rather than head on.

[@cjrides.1]

Ive got to change the rear next year so maybe ill look at a 55 rather than a 50. I was riding on the motorway today and i definitely need a different screen, the standard one is useless for wind protection.

[@greywolf9292]

@@cjrides.1 I had the double bubble screen and it was pretty bad, being six foot I couldn't even tuck down behind it. The Zero Gravity touring screen is slightly taller and deflects a lot of wind up to national speeds. Anything beyond that and wind noise along with the Akrapovic's make any kind of conversation inaudible. Anything taller would look out of place and spoil the character of the bike. The road I experienced the worst on is pretty exposed anyway and equally effects my other bike's which have taller more upright screens.

[@MichaelD1008]

@@cjrides.1 I'm 186cm tall and with the MRA I have no problem at all hiding behind it and seeing through it at the same time, and you usually only do that when you're driving at very high speed on the autobahn in Germany. I don't buy windscreens to constantly look through them. It's the wrong motorcycle for that, then I would have to buy a travel enduro or a Kawasaki Versys, for example, where I always see through the very high windscreen when riding this type of motorcycle. And therefore the MRA, where the helmet is in the wind when driving normally. I'm currently driving the S21, which was very cheap to get, the S22 has only gotten a little better on the front wheel, on the rear wheel both are about the same. I didn't have any problems with the traction control with the 55 rear wheel tire either, although the tire has a larger wheel circumference of approx. 4 cm and a higher overall height of 1 cm.... this means that the ZZR is 1 cm higher at the back, which affects the geometry - wheel spacing - Translation slightly changed! But it makes the bike a lot more agile, which is what I was used to from my previous ZX10R, where the 55 rear tire is also standard.

[@cjrides.1]

Ill have a look at the touring one, that’s exactly it i want something thats taller but nothing so tall that it doesn’t look right on the bike

[@cjrides.1]

That’s interesting i didnt even consider it altering the geometry

[@FREE_PUREBLOOD333]

They're an absolute missile on wheels. My mates got one and he's using Michelin road 6's on his. It's really well set up suspension wise for him, well serviced and a great touring machine. When it comes to the usual "they don't corner" bullshit..it's not the bike, it's the riders who can't set the bikes up and don't know how to counter steer. Great bikes and almost as good as the Yamaha FJR 1300. 😎👍

[@r.c.reasor4807]

Almost as good as a FJR1300? At what? Two bikes for different uses.I was a general sales manager at a 🎉Honda-Kawasaki-Yamaha dealership so I'm very familiar with both.What in your opinion is the FJR1300 better at? Touring? Of course? What else is it better at? I'm definitely missing something. I'm seriously interested in your opinion sir.

[@platoon1081]

Thanks for the insight, your descriptions about where this machine excels seems to meet my criteria. Currently riding a Suzuki 650 V-Strom but I found it lacking in easily "eating up" the miles I hoped it would.

[@cjrides.1]

The ZZR is 100% a mile munching machine 👍

[@thomashayter6834]

Exactly the same here! Had my V-strom two years and it just doesn’t hit the spot. Torn between a zzr or gtr at the mo

[@cjrides.1]

The GTR is very much a big tourer, if you want comfort above all else then go for that, the ZZR is a bit of both worlds.

[@bjlracer1380]

For tires I highly recommend Dunlop Sportmax Q3+. I have a first gen 2011 ZX14 and it just works perfectly with these tires, responsive, very predictable, high grip, giving you great feedback letting you know when you are on the edge well in advance.

[@cjrides.1]

Thanks for the tip, any idea what the average life of them is?

[@bjlracer1380]

@@cjrides.1 I really don't know but I'm sure it is a tad less than many others. I'm assuming this because of how much grip these tires provide, surely I'm sacrificing a little bit of life expectancy.

[@mikelewis6634]

@cjrides.1 for me on my 2012 zx14r Q3+ was good for a little over 6k miles. This included 2000 miles in 4 days, loaded with sw motech saddle bags, and a large sw motech tail bag full of gear. Have also head good things about pilot road 5 and 6. Will be trying the road 6 on my 22 h2sx when the s22 wear out which looks like will not be long by how far down they are already at 2500 miles.

[@PaddyWack999]

I switched to Avon 3D XM's for the extra mileage they give ( 6000+) as I was only getting 2000 out of sportier brands. They're not great in the wet (TC on 3 and it's not a problem) but as I don't do much wet weather riding they suit my needs perfectly.

[@cjrides.1]

Ill look into them when the time comes, wet riding doesn’t bother me because i never ride in the wet, she only comes out when the sun is shining 👍

[@AFR383]

The title should read “ why wouldn’t you consider a zx-14

[@MarkZX14R]

I have a zx14R SE - Pilot Road 6 are really good on the 14 :) Bought Top Sellerie seat, put on some bar risers and double bubble screen .. much better for a 56 year old sport bike rider :)

[@cjrides.1]

I was leaning towards Michelin as they seem to be one that most people recommend

[@MarkZX14R]

@@cjrides.1 i am not a youtuber as such but I do make ride videos here in Queensland Australia ... on the 14 .. good fun bike to use around here kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHTFg2iArL-qfpo

[@MarkZX14R]

@C&J Rides they are very strong especially in the wet. The perellis apparently have better grip but don't last as long and suffer in the wet or so I was told when looking into them ... always used perelli in the past

[@cjrides.1]

I not worried about wet performance as i dont ride in the wet however i would like them to last as long as possible

[@kellygrant4964]

best description... it is a long distance hypersportbike.

[@cjrides.1]

Yea thats very accurate 👍

[@jasonferguson4567]

If your motorway munching try Michelin road 5s.ive had a couple of sets that have done over 9000 miles or continental road 3s doesn't give as much grip but will do over 9000 miles on a set .enjoy

[@vladcontact]

Vfr1200f 10kg more than zzr1400. I tried mitchelin 5. dunlop 3 and metzler 01. The winner is metzler. Mitchelin 7000, Dunlop 8000, metzler 9000 miles and grip was better than all above. Same rider, same bike, same commute. Riding 100 miles a day for 15 years

[@keithcrispin1368]

I absolutely love mine ,gen 1 abs.All wrapped up for winter now .such a joy to ride .so smooth. When the times right ill be looking at a gen 2

[@cjrides.1]

I never had a gen 1, ive wanted the gen 2 for at least 5 years and this year I finally got one and I absolutely love it

[@johndelepine4856]

Get Dunlap Q3+ tires the best for that bike. It's the only ones I use on the ZX14R.

[@cjrides.1]

Thanks, I’ll look into those when the time comes 👍

[@kevinpollard1550]

Iv got a zzr 1100 love it but the 1400 is brill

[@dupajasiu920]

One thing I dont understand. How people sit for hours on this bike and do hunderds of miles ? No metter how I sit, I'm sore after 30 mins... stretched over the tank, struggling to keep the body position using back muscles and legs..

[@cjrides.1]

To be honest im not sure i could personally do hundreds of miles on it at once, my main problem is i feel a lot of pressure on my wrists, have you tried lowering the pegs and raising the bars?

[@oldgriff8559]

It’s an age thing..in my 20s to 40s I could ride all day long on my Triumph Daytona and Honda Blackbirds, from 50s to now 67 I’ve had to change riding style to a more upright riding position to a Honda cb500x and use an airhawk cushion for added comfort..

[@dupajasiu920]

@@cjrides.1 I did buy both. I will record some vids to share the experiance.

[@PCG2022]

I agree somewhat Dupa, I'm 44 and pretty fit but I can manage about an hour maybe an hour and a half. It's my palms that hurt the most for me. I am now learning to not grip as tight and relax! Drop the legs tighter on the tank (squeeze) to allow less pressure on my hands. I also find that the Cycling shorts with Ass pads in them serve me well over longer distances because I can't afford a Sargent seat :( Best next thing :)

[@dupajasiu920]

@@cjrides.1 I got some experience now, and the conclusions are as follows: Raising the bar is not worth it. I did both, I raised the bar (bar raisers, first step) and I also to replaced the whole steering bar to get the touring upright position. The outcome - it worked well up to 120kmph (70mph). Above that speed, the rider's body becomes a parachute. Ask yourself, why you bought 300 kmph going bike.... ??? I realized, (the hard way) actually, KAWASAKI engineers were right. To properly use this bike, you must be stretched over the tank, steering bar low, hidden behind the fairing. Factory wind protection is the best, since it takes away the weight from your wrists (over 120kmph). The pegs are also high - true. For now, I'm still using a replacement but I recon, next season, the factory pegs will come back, as I scratch the new pegs on the roundabouts.