Motorcycles are so much more than spec sheet numbers, only thing that matters is are you comfortable and the bike makes you feel good, don’t try to impress anyone be real with your self
I bought the 2022 zx-14r too. I'm up to 2000 miles. I can say for sure .... It is stupid fast and easy to ride . The power is endless. And it's butter smooth. I love modified everything but this thing stock is an animal
Yeah, its not like it needs more power. I do the ECU flash to make sure its running properly, with the air filter and exhaust I put on it... Its a very comfortable bike...
Thanks for the video.I've had many motorcycles in my life.Started riding in 63 and was racing bikes in 65 on Triumphs and Harleys. Then i quit riding in 2000.My last two sport bikes were Yamaha's,88 and 90 FZR-1000's.Fast forward 21 years and i decided to get one more motorcycle before i passed and decided on a 2021 ZX-14.I couldn't have picked a better bike than this one.Fast and comfortable and i have back issues also but feel better after the ride.You probably have the last year for this bike,since it doesn't pass Euro 5 specs.I know one thing,the guy in the Hellcat Challenger didn't know what hit him,when he jumped on me,he would have freaked out even more,if he knew i was 73 years old,lol.
Kawasaki engineers created magic with this bike. It does everything. I got 195 rwhp stock. Ricky Gadson pulled a new one right out of the dealership, just removed the exhaust cans and got into the high 8’s. At one time is was listed as the fastest accelerating production bike. Handling is out of this world. I was overtaking zx6r and R6 in turns. Heavy as can be to move around but the weight disappears as soon as it starts rolling. I went with Yosh slip ons, HeliBars clip on risers and an MRA sport tour shield with the holes in it. I put the factory center stand and passenger grab rail on. It’s getting a tail tidy and that is it. So glad to see a vid from another owner that recognizes what it is. I like that it was designed for drag racing and has a more traditional sport bike look instead of the current Transformers look. Passengers love having more than 3 square inches to sit on and that they don’t sit 2 feet above me. It will literally do whatever type of riding you want it to do and very well. You really need to spend a day with one to appreciate what it does and how it does it. If you know, you know. Thanks for the vid. Can’t wait to see more.
Ultimately, the 600's are better track weapons. Rider skill being equal, they are more agile on tight technical stuff. But when it comes to drive off the turns, or rocketing down a straight or just eating up mile after mile in comfort and speed, the ZX14R is hard to beat. I do wish it had more updated electronics, but it's brilliant nonetheless...
hi, i have a 2014 zzr1400… (UK)… i have left mine absolutely standard.. i’m never selling it, you really don’t need to modify these bikes as they are already totally out there… enjoy it, you will…
@@SquireSCA I do have the touring screen, frame sliders & tail tidy! I also have heated grips, it gets cold in the UK even in summer. So, not completely stock. I'll leave the exhausts & ECU stock. I'm looking forward to your next video ☺️
I love my older 2009 special edition. Have the 55 on the back and it does help. Full exhaust done with carbon fiber yoshimura pipes. Removed 2nd butterflies and pare valve. Power commander with autotune. Whew... think that is about it. It is super planted with the ugly winds that we get in the foothills and no matter where you are you have amazing power on tap. Let alone the beautiful sound this machine makes. 4 hour rides are a breeze also! There needs to be more bikes this.
Wow! congrats... I look forward to seeing you on the bike. The ZX1400......now you are a getting a bit more proportionate. Cool color...... Your local cycle shop must love when you walk in the door! :>)
You get that 14r flashed and set up with a pipe correctly and you may rethink your thoughts vs your R1. I owned a ZX10R prior to my 14R and had it set up and for me that 10R was no where near as fast as my 14R. Just my opinion :) 😃
Got some slipons installed, a BMC air filter and had Chris at Moore Mafia do the ECU flash... It's crazy fast... It just doesn't FEEL as fast as the R1... The R1 is all drama, wheelies and bouncing around.... The ZX14R just goes WOOOSH and you are gone...
@@SquireSCA lol, they're great bikes, cruise all day long, get up and go when you need it to, even in 6th it will pull like no other. Maybe it doesn't feel as fast due to its size, as you said you don't realize how fast your going on that thing lol
@@beerwulf6770 Oh, I get it... I think it is as fast, but yeah, it doesn't FEEL as fast because its so smooth, and there is no drama like the R1 had...
i will say both zx14r 13 and 15 had new steels and fibers installed with brocks hot street clutch springs within 1000 miles stock clutch would not hold 3rd gear roll ons without blowing through the clutch ..I had 11 bikes in past 9 years and had 5 bikes at a time never a clutch issue on any other bike just letting you know my experiance .Other than that they are some of the best most comfy bike i ever owned ..i did 8 inch delkevic carbon fiber slip ons with the baffle installed sounded great looked great and big weight savings ....I just bought a 22 s1000rr and did helibars on it and vortex rearsets to lower the foot peg 15mm and im in the same boat as you i am going to go back and get a zx14r again the best overall bike for everything with comfort even without all the electronics its fantastic !!!
Its literally like that. haha The Ninja is like being shot out of a giant sling shot... Just smooth and relentless, elastic almost... The R1 just goes bonkers and it more like an explosion... They achieve the same result, but in different ways...
@@SquireSCA I kinda understand the drama of the R1. I have an FZ10, and am in the market for a ZX14. I'm still worried about the front wheel going into orbit, so the 14 might be right up my alley.
@@taitorhead4168 Yeah, it's amazing. Get the suspension set up for your weight, and when you replace the rear tire, get a 190/55... it will help it turn in a little better.
Had a 2012. Loved it. Keep looking at another one. I just wish they would give it a little update. Quick shifter. Different dash. Would be perfect. Forget the h2 sx. No replacement for displacement
You are going to absolutely love your ZX14R and the handling. I have had 3 of them. I hope you continue to communicate your thoughts. You may want to run Q3 Dunlaps for your tires. Once you get the new exhaust it handles a lot better.
I run Q3+ on my sportbikes typically, but I was thinking about running a good sport touring tire on this one... The Michelin Road 6 in a 190/55 should work really well, and give me a decent bit of mileage...
@@jonasbaine3538 Love them. Stick very well and I have no concerns even taking them out for a track day. They are an excellent tire. Now, I put the Road 6 on the Triumph Speed Twin. On the big 14, I decided to go with Dunlop Q3+
@@jonasbaine3538 It all comes down to the rider. Yeah, its a big bike, but it's still a Ninja after all. Get the suspension set up, put on good tires and go to a 190/55 for the rear for better turn in... I have plenty of videos of me getting on it, and it does very well in the twisty bits. If you aren't keeping up on the road with the other guys, its more likely to be the rider than the bike. It's an amazing machine.
If you had to steady your 14R, is there an area or spot (grab rail) to grab the rear of the bike, like when moving it in the garage or up on a stand? Maybe under the rear seat cowl ?? Just curious ? Thanks. When you are my size it's a must! Hard to tell with the gloss paint.
That's a good question, I need to pop the seat cowl off and see if there is a strap there or not. What I have been doing to get it on the rear stand, is to put the front into my Baxley wheel chock first, to hold the bike steady while I put my Pitbull stand on the rear swingarm spools and lift it up to clean the chain or whatever...
I feel yer comparison's amigo' I drive an H2' SE-SX and after a few years am looking at picking up a used late model ZX14R fer the differences you described
Not sure about that... I mean, they made it for what, 15 years? There are a lot of them out there... But you never know... So many of them are crashed up and butchered and stretched and slammed and they don;t even drag race it... haha
Thanks for your review…!! I was raised on Yamaha… wanted the R1… but picked up a 2018 Kawasaki Z900… but I need.. want bigger… was trying to decide between ZX10 and ZX14 but after hearing your thoughts… definitely going for the ZX14
I have a 2020...Love it!! That thing is a land missile. Definitely have to get rid of the trumpets. A have the Hoffman slip-ons with the baffles out. Man, that thing sounds Bad-Ass. I wanted something different than the other pipes everyone else have. Enjoy!!
Not a fan of the stubby cans on this bike, like Coffman or Voodoo... They are basically Autozone exhaust tips, and they lose torque... There is a good loud, and there is bad loud... They tend to be the latter. haha
I'm just now seeing your video 1 year later. What do you think now? Welcome to the 14R family. Put 50k miles to my last one, including magical backroads/canyons in California and..2 cross country trips. I'm getting my ducks in a row to grab a '23 model shortly. Just the bullet train of bikes👍.
@James on How much do you weigh? I am about 250lbs with gear, a bit more if I am wearing full leathers... I was able to get the stock suspension set up pretty good for me, but I probably could get it better with different shock and fork springs for my weight. Find a local race shop that has legit suspension guys on staff, and go pay the $80 to have them set it up for you. My bike is fun in the corners and I have done two track days on it and despite its size and weight, it handles very well...
Nice new bike! My friend has an earlier ZX1400, and he loves it. One issue, like every other heavy and powerful bike, it eats tires, especially the rear. My Tracer 9GT still has plenty of tread on the OEM rear tire at 4.5k miles, best I have ever done on a rear except my HD RGS.
Yeah, that's to be expected. I barely get 2k miles out of a rear on my R1, and it's been that way for years. For the ZX14R, I will likely get a good sport touring tire like the Pilot Road 6... should be plenty of grip in the twisties, but more mileage than the Q3+ that I normally run on sportbikes... You still have the Tracer OEM tires on? You are a braver man than I... I had them on for 300 miles and tossed them in the trash... Had the back end step out twice on a ride in the Mtns and that was it for me, I ran to Cycle Gear for Pilot Road 5's and tossed the almost new T32's in the garbage... They might last a long time, but I didn't like the handling and the grip was poor...
Its a nice bike, had a past ZX14, my particular generation being the 08 w an added dual ran fan just put out too much heat but it was brutally fast. I since moved to a 2020 H2 SX SE which is just ALOT better. Yes it may not have as much torque stock nor top speed but they both will take you too warp speed and back. The H2 SX SE just does everything better imho and just handles better. Flash it and it becomes a beast and I have not even bothered yet. Super comfortable as well w bar risers for me and the added slip on. Quickshift is great plus the other electronic suite. I just find the Zx14 so large but it is stable as heck. I agree the Zx14 is arm pulling fast, as fast as you feel you are in twisties an equal rider will pull it on the H2 SX series I believe, either way they are both great. What interests me in this series of bike is the new Busa but again just too big. For bigger guys I agree the ZX14R may be a better fit, I am 5'11 175 so the H2 SX SE fits me really well, the weight diff between the 2 is 20lbs stock but the H2 SX series hides the weight so well and you can lighten it up as well just like you can w the ZX14. The days of me riding the R1 /CBR type bikes are gone, just not as comfortable and like you said more work as they really are pure track bikes w lights
An H2 won’t pull the 14r, many videos and personal experience to back that statement. The 14r does everything the H2 will and does it better with less effort.
Get the handlebar risers for the ZX14R and it will really be comfortable then. I have a 2013 and still love it. Mine is flashed, Akrapovic exhaust and -1 front sprocket. It is very fast. I don't even want an H2. I don't need anymore speed than the 14 delivers and it's paid for too. H2's aren't comfortable like a 14 is also. I have a Bridgestone S22 on the back right now and like it very much.
I got the 1" risers and it made it less comfortable, believe it or not. I have something going on with my neck, where being lower and forward feels better than up and back. Don't know why!
I'm 5'7" 235 and I can run mine through the mountains just fine. Running with or even outrunning smaller, lighter bikes on roads I'm familiar with. If you have a chance to buy one, it's literally a no-brainer. Get it.
Very nice video!!! I have a versys 650, which I use to travel with my wife in the back seat, and a cbr 600 for me alone, and I tought in saling both and buy a zx14 2023 to have only one bike. My only question is how confortable is for the passenger to seat behind in long trips compare with a versys. If you use it with your wife in the back, maybe you can give me an idea. Thanks alot!!!! Martin
My 2 favorite bikes in your garage. I want a 14R. I have had 2 cross plane full exhaust and tuned R1s. I want the 14 for the speed and comfort. A hyper transport if you will. Still waiting to see if this will be the last year for it.
Nice bike, congratulations! Sorry to say but I’m glad you got rid of that Tracer. It was just boring. However I still miss the Z900RS (same bike I have)
Saw a comment about you thinking of road 6’s. Look into Dunlop Roadsmart 4’s. Great tire, and boast about being longer lasting than Michelins. It’s my go to tire now. Cheaper too
Yeah, that's an option. I used Roadsmart 3's on one of my Speed Triples and liked them a lot. But I have used Michelin Road 5's on two bikes now and they were outstanding, and the Road 6 is supposed to be a significant improvement over those...
@@SquireSCA they are absolutely a good option, definitely a reason Michelin sells so many! Too much money for me personally, especially since I ride in the desert. (No wet riding)
@@JP-pp9ke Tire prices have gotten crazy this past year... Used to be able to get a decent set for $200... then it was $350, and now its the better part of $500...
What a bike, this in my opinion, is the best all round bike, if I had the money and a large garage, I would have the bikes you have.. Awsome.. Get rid of the cans and add some crash bungs. I do think they're not the best bikes for going around sharp turns, based on the limited handlebar turn. Unless they have changed this year. I bought the 2020 version, the last zzr1400 to be sold in my country, so had mine 2 half years, its a keeper brother. 👍👍👍
@@snakeman9902 I have tons of them. I am working on one now. Switched to a 55 profile tire, +1 rear sprocket which forced me to move the wheel forward and shorten the wheelbase...
I don't understand why Kawasaki keep attaching the worthless stock muffler which almost all the owners of ZX-14 throw away to attach a new muffler with additional money. Kawasaki should change its policy to give customers the right for choosing muffler as an option.
I think the issue its that they have to deliver the bike in an EPA and CARB compliant condition. What an owner does after that is up to them, but the manufacturer has to stay in compliance or face heavy fines...
Opposite ends of the spectrum. The Triumph is 175lbs lighter, more agile, handles better, has much better suspension and electronics, nicer dash, etc... The Kawi is long, low, heavy, etc... It's plush, whereas the Street Triple is a precision instrument. Love them both. In an ideal world, I would have both. haha
@@beefquiche For the money, I feel that the Street Triple RS is the best all around streetbike on the market. For just under $13k, you get Brembo and braided lines, Ohlins, TFT and LED lighting, quickshift and auto blip, 120hp at the wheel, weighs less than an R6, the list goes on... It's brilliant for tooling around, longer distances and does really well on track...
@@SquireSCA absolutely! I've test ridden it a bunch of times in Bangkok (dealer is a buddy) and it kinda makes most other bikes redundant. I am considering a Hypermotard 950 / Striple RS combo though - so that I have a couple of new bikes that are radically different to each other.
@@SquireSCA Hey Squire, did you go to a 15T front sprocket on the Triple RS? I'm likely picking up the new 2023 black/bronze version this weekend. Cheers!
Yeah, I have a video from this summer, doing a pull against a brand new Aprilia RSV4 1100 and I was able to easily walk away... And that Aprilia makes about 17hp more than an R1... And the other rider and I are about the same weight, to it was a fair fight...
guy that was weird you need counseling....just kidding ,I say my 2022 Harley fatboy with a 465 s&s cam is like hot rod chevy with a big block and my 2015 Kawasaki ninja 1000 is like a formula 1 race car, totally different but both great.
Yeah, it's nice having two bike at opposite ends of the spectrum... I have the ZX14R for track and goofing around, but then I have a highly modded Triumph Speed Twin 1200 for everything else...
No. It's the one thing about the ZX14R that is a little disappointing... It is quite lacking in the electronics department. Old school dash, basic ABS and traction control., no IMU, no quickshifter or cruise control. But at the same time, it is weirdly part of its charm... Its a barrel chested ape of a bike, with just enough nannies to keep you from immediately killing yourself, but not so much to remove you from the brutality that it can deliver...
my 2013 made 204rwhp 111tq with just slipons my 2015 made 206/ 113 same slip ons ....put heli bars 1 in risers on it the difference is night and day !!!
Those readings are a bit high for slipons... Dyno probably reads high... We have a dyno like that in the Atlanta area... Every bike that comes through there reads 10-15hp higher than everyone else's...
I doubt it I am no stranger to Dynos and I don’t like fake numbers my E.Ts and mph back up the hp , fastest pass no strap no mods other than slip on and Bmc filter on my 13 zx14 was 9.18 151 and my 2015 was same mods went a 9.07 153mph in slightly cooler air at sea level here in NY LI and I can ride the shit out of these bikes I’m 6”1 220lbs
@@SquireSCA To be honest with you I never really knew what they were supposed to make I knew they were 200 or 210 hp at the crank and in the past I’ve had a few cars that have been underrated So I assume this may be normal or slightly better than the average I never really looked into it or questioned it the bike was fast enough for me to begin with I had a 2016 ZX 10 R done by Guhl performance And at the time of 2016 S 1000rr My ZX 14’s were actually set up to be comfortable that’s really what I used it for
At this time I’m 48 years old I just bought a 22+1000rr BMW It’s about a month old I put Heli bars on it And Vortex rearsets On it to make it more comfortable and give me some room along with some frame sliders and Undertail . I love the bike I think it’s really great but I think I’m looking for a touch more comfort again so I think I’m either going to get a 22 zx14r Or BMW K 1600 GT
