VFR or ZX14

Hey Guys, I love my VFR, but I keep hearing and reading stuff about the Kaw ZX14. My first impression is that it does not look as good as the VFR. I sat on one at the dealership and it felt good (a better fit that the Kaw ZX10). Has anyone here checked out a ZX14 and do you think it would be a good VFR replacement with more sport appeal? I am considering the ZX14, but have no plans of getting rid of my 2k VFR.

 

I can only go on what I have read and heard from a few friends. A good comparison would be the ZX14 to the Hayabusa. Based on articals read and riding a few friends (Hayabusa), I would say that these bikes are the best tour/sport on the market. They have the power the VFR lacks, nice suspention and good riding position. However, since these bikes are built for speed, they are very long and heavy; making you work a little more in the hills then the VFR. Again based on articals… the VFR leans more towards the sport side of the house than the touring. Personally, I will not give up my 02 VFR and at this time attempting to get 120 ponies to the wheel. Oh, do not forget that out of the box the Hayabusa (and sure ZX10) regulate power output.
What about the 1998 VFR?
Let us know what you decide on.

 

08' Concours 14

If you would seriously consider the ZX14 wait until the the new Kawa Concours hits the show room floors this spring. They have finally redesigned the Connie which has been unchanged since 86' using the ZX14 as a jumping off point. The price is going to be somewhere in the $14-15K, check out the link below. I know I am seriously considering purchasing one, probably not this year but with in the next two for sure.

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/02/05/kawasaki-concours-14-video/#comments

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/10/09/new-kawasaki-concours-2008-concours-14/

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=220&content=introduction

 

Ah, I can actually say something about this, as my friend has a ZX14 that I had the chance to ride first off I'm with you not a good looking bike, when you first get on you notice it's size and weight it's a long ship. but once underway and I'm talking 20mph and above the bulk goes away, very smooth still you notice she's a long bike but at least she doesn't feel clumsy. through these tight sweepers we went through I noticed how the ZX14 handled pretty much like the VFR not quite as fast in response, but surprised me that it was able to get down with not much effort either, still no hiding its mass.. What can you say about 1400cc, yea it's got the power theres no mistaking that rush, did a couple blast up through 135 passing a couple cars it had so much more. and was very stable easy to do talk about getting in trouble, brakes worked well, as I'd like to believe Kawasaki needed to make sure those work as well as she goes fast. Still bottom line, was happy to get back on my bike. As there was a lot of little things that bugged me, fit and finish is one of them besides, come on now, no I4 is going to match the growl of our V4. but over all, if one wasn't fussy, it's not a bad ship to sail the seas on. Oh did I mention it likes tires? It's is on its' 3rd set and this beast only has 12K on it.

 

I am with RVFR

A good friend bought an 06 Busa. I took it out and I was impressed. Great bike, but when I got back on my VFR, I knew what I would lose in buying a bike like that.

It's all in what you want though. If you want to get a ZX-14, then do it.

The question to ask is: "What type/ style of riding do you like, and will the 14 meet those expectations?"

Good Luck!

BZ

 

There's a thread over at sport-touring.net about a guy who did a 270* flip on his ZX-14, just by getting on the throttle a little too hard. He was an experienced rider, too. He gave it too much gas, it came on at 7K or so and next thing he knew the nose of the bike was planted on the pavement and he had a crushed vertebrae.

Granted, I'm coming from a perspective where my 4th Gen VFR is my "big bike" (it has all the power I could ever dream of)... but why do you need 150 HP? Seems to me that that kind of power is more of a liability than an asset.

Of course, I'm sure people were saying that back when 100 HP was an insane amount of power...

 

Interesting information - sounds like some of the stuff I heard about with the Hayabusa. I agree - 150 + hp is not necessary. Both the ZX14 & Hayabusa are longer bikes that make riding two up more comfortable. The throttle issues do scare me - especially when the stuff happens to a rider with more experience than me with a sportsbike. Some bikes just do not like to stay on the ground. I rode my friend's Suzuki Bandit 1200 and on straights and on a turn the front wheel came up on me. I am not a stunter so that type of behavior from a bike not concern me especally if I have a passenger on the bike. I am curious if a Power Commander would help tame the beast.

 

A ZX14/Busa/liter bike is just way too much power for the street. Why ride a bike you can't wrap out in each gear without endangering yourself or others? Btw a Bandit 1200 is more than 50 hp down on this bike - totally different world.

 

Why wake up in the morning??? geeesh

 

I go back and forth between the VFR and Blackbird (a Busa/ZX14 sized liter bike) on a regular basis. They're quite different, but once you get going and used to it, you'll do just as good on the twisties as you did on the vfr. As a matter of fact, riding the Blackbird has made me more confident on the VFR.

What I like most about the bigger bike is the comfort and stability cruising down the highway. I get blown around quite a bit on the VFR, which isn't so fun when you're fully loaded on a roadtrip. It's not nearly as noticeable on the Blackbird. The ZX14 should be much the same.

Things I like about the 14: Great engine, big comfortable size and there just aren't too many on the road. I like he new look, some ugly things are pretty hot. Don't let the George Foreman Grill jokes get to you and you'll be fine.

 

they are totally different rides man.

 

Let me elaborate on my original post. I don't own a bike for straight line accellaration. I wouldn't even have bought a bike at this point in my life if I hadnt happened to have moved to Colorado, but the roads here are simply out of this world for biking. Straight line accellaration alone is boring to me, the VFR is all the power I need to keep up with anyone I've rode with so far and then some. I might feel different if I lived, for example in the midwest (where I came from and will never return) where straight accellaration and wheelies is about all there is.

 

Buy a CBR1000RR and put converter bars on it, it is a fantastic super sports touring bike, the speed of a ZX14 with agility to boot. A lot of guys who buy the CBR1000RR do not like to think that it is agreat touring bike but if you can handle the ZX14 setup the CBR 100RR with converti bars is very close. The CBR also comes with much better tires. Corsa.

 

That's the most redonk thing I've ever heard... Rather then buying the sport touring bike, you want him to buy a RACE bike with a 1/4" thick cardboard seat just because it has better tires?

The ZX14, Busa & Blackbird all have GREAT agility, you just have to learn how to ride.

Get the ZX14 man. Just not the white with red flames, it's pretty ugly.

 

You GOT to be kidding me right?

It all depends on your riding style...
But really when it comes down to it.... They are the same bike...
The VFR will be more agile. The 14 will have more balls and not as nimble in the twisties. But you can still do x-counrty on them both.

Me? I'd keep the VFR... That sound is worth it to me in the long run.. And do you REALLY need to go that fast in a straight line? No...

 

Oddly enough just got back from a 1200mile all twisty ride with a guy who suffering severe wrist pains due to house renovation added riser bars and double bubble to his '04 R1, jokingly he compares it to an Electra Glide now.

Seriously the convertor bar'd R1 is probably a better bet as an ST than the CBR1000RR due to its comfier seat and slightly roomier leg room, mind would probably go for the ZX14 if power was of prime importance.

 

Funny as with my previous comment, went away on a 1200mile 3 day all twisty Alpine ride with a couple of mates, ( lucky for me my third time in 4 months ) one extremely entertaining section of the ride is sign posted as 90km's of Winding road, meaning the road is tight and twisty for the next 56 miles.

My R1 mate, having grown up on dirt bikes before racing RGV250's in the early '90's then 600's before riding R1's since 2002 made the interesting comment afterwards " no wonder people get hurt on these Litre Superbikes " as when carried away with the moment had found his self very easily hitting silly speeds before whistling hard under brakes in the short straights before throwing it fully over for the next set of twisties on this tightly wound road.

 

CBR1000RR is the very best street bike for the riders who like to lean, and tour. But I have a CBR600RR which makes the CBR1000RR very comfortable for me, but I am fit, and in shape, so it depends on your fitness level.

I find the CBR very comfortable, I considered the ZX14 but you cannot turn in as fast as the CBR1000RR.

Edit: removal of inflamatory remark by vman38

 

I'm pretty envious of your garage, you have a CBR 600 and a CBR 1000, must be hard to choose which one to ride... :noidea:

 

The Ninja 250 will even out turn the CBR1000, so why don't you get one of them? If that is all that is important to you?

There are plenty of fit people who would never dream of touring on a CBR1000; that just isn't what it is designed for, nor its forte'. There are many far better touring choices. And will be for a very very long time.

Edit: Inflamatory remark in quote removed by vman38.