I Rode a ZX-14 Over The Weekend

[ME_with_a_B]

OH. MY. GAWD.

One of my buddies has been shopping for a Kawasaki ZX-14 for a while now, and asked if I wanted to go with him up to a dealer on Saturday to check one out -- they turn over used bike inventory a lot, so every week they've been getting in new models. This one, he really had his eye on -- a 2008 Special Edition with only 9k miles on it. So we rode 2-up to the dealer in Wisconsin on his ZX-11.

He spent a good hour there deciding if it was really what he wanted and if he was ready to pay for it... and eventually decided he couldn't leave without it. So...... it was decided that I would ride his ZX-11 back to Chicago-land from the dealer (just south of Milwaukee). "Okay, I can do this" -- I told myself. Up until yesterday, the only bike I've ever ridden was my own FZ6R. I've been pretty terrified of getting on anything bigger because I've thought all these big bad-@$$ bikes were crazy-powerful and would throw me off -- or be a nightmare to control, etc. Oh well, I figured, it was now or never to give it a shot. So I hopped onto the ZX-11 and away we went.

Ok and ya, that ZX-11 is crazy-fast compared to the FZ6R. And it corners LIKE A DREAM. Seriously though. Ya don't have to do ANYTHING. Its like, you literally think "turn right" and it does. And I honestly suck at cornering.... so wow.... I was really loving the ZX-11, despite the throttle being so stiff my hand was going numb within the first 5 minutes.

So we get about 45 miles away from the dealer, and stop at an Oasis along the toll-way to rest, stretch, get some coffee, etc. We're walking back out to the parking lot and my buddy is all "Okay, so you liked the 11, how about you ride the 14 the rest of the way home?" I'm like "Uhhhh no, dude, that's your brand new bike.... and its HUGE". Well, I honestly was curious, so I didn't protest too much... hopped on and said to myself "here goes nothin'..."

It took me all of 30 seconds to feel as at home in the saddle as I do on my FZ6R after nearly 2 years. The throttle snaps quick so it wasn't wearing out my hand... the bike slows immediately upon release of the throttle, and the front brake is out-of-this-world. And OH MY GAWD that bike is fast. Like -- knock your eyes through the back of your head and into yesterday -- fast. But smooth. Smoother than any bike I've ever been on. So smooth, you can drop it down into 3rd gear at over 100mph and it doesn't buck the tiniest bit.

So I rode the 14 the rest of the way back to my neighborhood (about 120 miles) and bought my buddy dinner for allowing me to experience the thrill of a lifetime.

Well, he let me ride it to our breakfast meetup this morning too. LOL And after breakfast, we went for a cruise with his "ZX-11" twin. So it's me on the 14 and my two buddies on their 11's. And ya, it was a little tough for them to keep up. Which really had me smiling. Seeing as how I'm always the one in the back because sure, the FZ6R isn't going to stand up next to an 11. But today was my day. And I'll never forget it.

View attachment 20095 View attachment 20096 View attachment 20097 View attachment 20098 View attachment 20099

*and since speeding is illegal and all, I won't say how fast I had it going... but it was a new high for me, and wow... my heart is still racing

 

[Rookasaki]

Sweet man thanks for sharing....

 

[Diluted]

Very cool! I haven't ridden any other bikes other than the 6R either. I'm actually a little scared too as well, I don't want to wreck anyone's bike. I feel confident in my abilities, just doesn't feel right to me yet.

Edit: Rook, she's a WOman

 

[MikeN02]

OH. MY. GAWD.

One of my buddies has been shopping for a Kawasaki ZX-14 for a while now, and asked if I wanted to go with him up to a dealer on Saturday to check one out -- they turn over used bike inventory a lot, so every week they've been getting in new models. This one, he really had his eye on -- a 2008 Special Edition with only 9k miles on it. So we rode 2-up to the dealer in Wisconsin on his ZX-11.

He spent a good hour there deciding if it was really what he wanted and if he was ready to pay for it... and eventually decided he couldn't leave without it. So...... it was decided that I would ride his ZX-11 back to Chicago-land from the dealer (just south of Milwaukee). "Okay, I can do this" -- I told myself. Up until yesterday, the only bike I've ever ridden was my own FZ6R. I've been pretty terrified of getting on anything bigger because I've thought all these big bad-@$$ bikes were crazy-powerful and would throw me off -- or be a nightmare to control, etc. Oh well, I figured, it was now or never to give it a shot. So I hopped onto the ZX-11 and away we went.

Ok and ya, that ZX-11 is crazy-fast compared to the FZ6R. And it corners LIKE A DREAM. Seriously though. Ya don't have to do ANYTHING. Its like, you literally think "turn right" and it does. And I honestly suck at cornering.... so wow.... I was really loving the ZX-11, despite the throttle being so stiff my hand was going numb within the first 5 minutes.

So we get about 45 miles away from the dealer, and stop at an Oasis along the toll-way to rest, stretch, get some coffee, etc. We're walking back out to the parking lot and my buddy is all "Okay, so you liked the 11, how about you ride the 14 the rest of the way home?" I'm like "Uhhhh no, dude, that's your brand new bike.... and its HUGE". Well, I honestly was curious, so I didn't protest too much... hopped on and said to myself "here goes nothin'..."

It took me all of 30 seconds to feel as at home in the saddle as I do on my FZ6R after nearly 2 years. The throttle snaps quick so it wasn't wearing out my hand... the bike slows immediately upon release of the throttle, and the front brake is out-of-this-world. And OH MY GAWD that bike is fast. Like -- knock your eyes through the back of your head and into yesterday -- fast. But smooth. Smoother than any bike I've ever been on. So smooth, you can drop it down into 3rd gear at over 100mph and it doesn't buck the tiniest bit.

So I rode the 14 the rest of the way back to my neighborhood (about 120 miles) and bought my buddy dinner for allowing me to experience the thrill of a lifetime.

Well, he let me ride it to our breakfast meetup this morning too. LOL And after breakfast, we went for a cruise with his "ZX-11" twin. So it's me on the 14 and my two buddies on their 11's. And ya, it was a little tough for them to keep up. Which really had me smiling. Seeing as how I'm always the one in the back because sure, the FZ6R isn't going to stand up next to an 11. But today was my day. And I'll never forget it.

View attachment 20095 View attachment 20096 View attachment 20097 View attachment 20098 View attachment 20099

*and since speeding is illegal and all, I won't say how fast I had it going... but it was a new high for me, and wow... my heart is still racing

Weren't you the one who wanted/liked the Gixxers? Correct me if I'm wrong

Glad your friend trusts you that much to ride his new bike and that he got a zx-14 instead of a busa. Personally I think the bikes are too big and bulky looking after the 1000cc's.

A bigger engine size bike means it's more smooth of course because you don't have to shift through the gears as much.

Like Diluted, I don't trust myself to ride a friends bike no matter how much they offered. Main reason is I'm short, so I lower most of my bikes and second if I dropped it because I'm not used to it I would feel so bad.

Also, pretty weird how you said it corners quick... I imagine the 1000cc bikes and up aren't really great as cornering as the 600cc's thats why people have a 1000 and 600..

 

[Diluted]

She picked up a Gixxer at some point. Not sure if she still has it.

 

[ME_with_a_B]

Yep, I have a Gixxer 750 -- but its been in my garage up on stands since I bought it because haven't registered it yet with the state (don't have plates for it, nor insurance yet). And I wasn't really in a hurry to plate it since I've honestly been afraid of riding it. Ummmm, so much for that excuse. I guess I better get around to doing that paperwork now.

 

[Uno979]

I think I would go either route, busa or ZX14 one day. I like both and they are surprisingly comfy. I'll just have to get over the insurance jump since mine insures by engine size.

 

[ajkewler]

Cool write up, having ridden all of my friends bikes I think I still like 600's more than anything else. Its so quick to turn on the coners. I'd have to try riding the zx-14 as so far I've only had the chance to be on a 6r and a 250r of the kawas. I'm sure you'll love the gixxer750, everyone that I know that has one of those doesn't have a bad thing to say about them. I'm hoping to own one eventually.

 

[Heineken]

OH. MY. GAWD.

And ya, it was a little tough for them to keep up. Which really had me smiling.


*and since speeding is illegal and all, I won't say how fast I had it going... but it was a new high for me, and wow... my heart is still racing

I could tell you had an awesome time on the zx14, especially the part when you were going **5 in a 45mph work zone .


:rant: Well, another example that absolute power, corrupts absolutely. :surrender:

 

[dart1963]

would have chimed in, but was feeling pretty drained yesterday, just quickly glanced through the threads...

I've heard good things about the ZX14... say it's just as comfortable as our bike... was told I should keep it in mind when I go to look into a sport tourer, has plenty of power and comfort.

Thanks for sharing, and glad you had a good time!

 

[Stephenfz6r]

I had a Suzuki GS1100E, it did everything you could ask it except go into orbit. I did 1600KM in 12 hrs and never went over 6000 RPM. It could pass anything on the road except gas stations and police cars.

The Kawasaki seems miles ahead of it when you look at the specs. My personal opinion is if the FZ6R isn't fast enough for you then you will get into trouble some where down the line on any of these Hyper bikes.:Sport: