[Sikorsky]

Speaking from 2-3000 km and 2-3 months ownership, the ZX-14 is a phenomenal bike. I saw 5.6 l/100km on it, smoothness was unbelievable as was the power and it was a pussy cat in all weather conditions. As soon as it was moving the weight and wheelbase were not an issue. Mine had Givi bags and heli-bars and was OK in the comfort. I found the seat/tank interface a little wide but got used to it after awhile.

I got rid of it because a better deal came along and it was as attractive as a V-Strom (in my eyes). But as a mile muncher, it was great.

 

[CHIA]

Yes and no. It's a great bike, but a lightweight. My girlfriend has put about 60,000 miles on hers including a trip to Labrador and another to North Carolina. Reliable as a rock. She did Winnipeg to Vancouver in a day which is about 1450 miles / 2300 Km's. And she does a fine just of keeping up with my FJR.

http://www.ldrider.ca/2007AtlanticCanada/the-ride/2007-07-atlantic-canada_102.JPG

http://www.ldrider.ca/2007AtlanticCanada/the-ride/2007-07-TCGold.JPG

That's awesome!

 

[K-rod]

That's awesome!

I shall gladly remain a certified NON-member of that club. :spinsmile

 

[K-rod]

it was as attractive as a V-Strom (in my eyes).

Some people think V-Stroms are quite attractive, and then - there's this club in L.A. where only women who weigh more than 300 lbs are allowed in (FAT women) ... and apparently there are many men who frequent the place, hoping to 'hook up' with one of them (some guys find even obese women sexy).

Me - I'll stick to athletic European hotties, no matter how tempermental or costly they may be.

 

[Mighty Kentor]

V-Stroms aren't heavy.

 

[avocet]

no way there is a place like that. what was the name?

i am going to give my biased vote of vfr800.

awesome bike, but a little more HP sure would be nice. am barely 150lbs, so its ok, and i rarely ride with the SO, who is under 110.

other than some already mentioned honda electrical issues, a little lovin to the suspension and an oem/givi hardbag setup, i am ready to roll! don't forget the escort and garmin, though!

Some people think V-Stroms are quite attractive, and then - there's this club in L.A. where only women who weigh more than 300 lbs are allowed in (FAT women) ... and apparently there are many men who frequent the place, hoping to 'hook up' with one of them (some guys find even obese women sexy).

Me - I'll stick to athletic European hotties, no matter how tempermental or costly they may be.

 

[SHANE]

now if only fz-1 came with shaft drive mmmmm

 

[taoofdavid]

Since I just bought myself one before Christmas, I'm gonna have to say a VFR800 as well

 

[MerlotMax]

When I first started to look at getting back onto a bike, the VFR800 was at the top of my list. Seems like a great all around bike and damn good looking too. Things changed a bit and a lot of riding would now be two up. Just felt the VFR might not fair well for this.

So many bike in the category have become bloated, over accessorized beasts. Rented a FJR1300 for a good days ride and came away impressed. Then narrowed down my choice of a new bike to a Triumph Sprint GT. Still a bit heavy, but a nice straight forward sport tourer with more of a lean toward the sports side.

With a cross boarder move coming up in a year and wanting to get riding again, I had to put the new bike on hold. Found a nice low kms. 2001 Suzuki 1200 Bandit S for sale and pulled the trigger last week. Have not been able to get too many kms. on her yet. It seems like a good all around bike, from what I have read, and should fill the role adequately. A bit less HP than the VFR but more room the my lady and I. Looking forward to some good summer rides.

 

[vstromgreg]

That's awesome!

Awesome?? So close to impossible it is almost BS in my opinion.... Holy Fack? averaging 80KPH for three solid days? with no fuel stops or sleep if stopping for either means your Average speed has to be even higher??

KUDOS!!!!!

 

[vstromgreg]

V-Stroms aren't heavy.

they are when I'm on one....

 

[bakwheeltango]

I had the 2006 Triumph Sprint ABS for 4 years a great bike. Did everything perfect.
I just needed a change. My buddy has my old one and loves it.

The VFR800 doesn't have enough balls.
The FJR's are too big.
The 1050 Sprint is bang on.

 

[MerlotMax]

I had the 2006 Triumph Sprint ABS for 4 years a great bike. Did everything perfect.
I just needed a change. My buddy has my old one and loves it.

The VFR800 doesn't have enough balls.
The FJR's are too big.
The 1050 Sprint is bang on.

That is what I came up with, until then I will try to put some kms. on the Bandit S.

 

[David Morrow]

Awesome?? So close to impossible it is almost BS in my opinion.... Holy Fack? averaging 80KPH for three solid days? with no fuel stops or sleep if stopping for either means your Average speed has to be even higher??

KUDOS!!!!!

I thought it was impossible too when the ride was first sanctioned by the Iron Butt Assn. I spent many evenings with maps and Excel working out routes, gas stops and time. Since then, I've done it in 84 hours, 70 hours and 70.5 hours. So yes, it can be done if you do it intelligently. Having an auxiliary gas tank is a huge help. Typical day is to depart around 4am and arrive around 10pm which means minimal riding in the dark and traveling east to west so you ride with the sun to maximize daylight.

 

[Commuter Boy]

Typical day is to depart around 4am and arrive around 10pm which means minimal riding in the dark and traveling east to west so you ride with the sun to maximize daylight.

The reeeely hard part IMNSHO is keeping the pace up three days running while maintaining concentration. Most people are good for a day, or two, but then completely lose the plot after that.

I've done the ride a number of times in a cage going back to the Maritimes, sometimes with a group sleeping in shifts. Three days solo piloting is pretty hardcore.

 

[mike_123]

I had the 2006 Triumph Sprint ABS for 4 years a great bike. Did everything perfect.
I just needed a change. My buddy has my old one and loves it.

The VFR800 doesn't have enough balls.
The FJR's are too big.
The 1050 Sprint is bang on.

i to found the vfr had no balls
i found the sprint to small
the fjr is bang on

 

[David Morrow]

The reeeely hard part IMNSHO is keeping the pace up three days running while maintaining concentration. Most people are good for a day, or two, but then completely lose the plot after that.

I've done the ride a number of times in a cage going back to the Maritimes, sometimes with a group sleeping in shifts. Three days solo piloting is pretty hardcore.

The last day, of the last ride, was Winnipeg to Vancouver with just gas stops. The icing on the cake was getting home around 2am or so and finding that it wasn't my eyes that caused my vision problems, it was learning that both headlights were burned out !

 

[reckless]

Back to the original question.
ZX 14, Corbin seat with back rest for your passenger, the wife is 6' tall had has no problems, Givi hard luggage, only weakness is if you want to ride hard on sticky rubber it will eat rear tires very quickly.
Put on some Michelin Roads and enjoy.

 

[David Morrow]

Back to the original question.
ZX 14, Corbin seat with back rest for your passenger, the wife is 6' tall had has no problems, Givi hard luggage, only weakness is if you want to ride hard on sticky rubber it will eat rear tires very quickly.
Put on some Michelin Roads and enjoy.

I'm interested to know what the gas range is like on the ZX14 ?

When it was looking like my FJR's engine was toast, I was seriously looking at the ZX14 as a replacement. Considering the reputation it has for top end and quarter mile speeds, it gets rave reviews as a Sport Touring bike.

 

[reckless]

240-260kms before the light comes on. It's a 21 litre tank, 18 litres till the light comes on with 3 for reserve. If you are casual you can get 300km's from a tank, if you are charging expect the light around 200 and red and blue lights in the mirrors.