zx14 as a tourer

[zzrriders]

Hi , ive just bought a zx14.I liked the big old zzr1200 and my wife and made a fair tourer out of the loveable brute but now we have the zx14. My question is to those out there that have one.How have you found it over a distance with a mama on the back and what do you think could be done to improve it?

[Holy Roller]

Trade it on a ZG1400A8F Tourer.
I'll just have to wait a few years for it reach my price range

http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/media/pdfs/ZG1400B8F.pdf

A workmate has the ZX1400 awesome machine.

[The Pastor]

my under standing is the zx14 has almost 180-190hp??? You want it to go better??? err? Am i missing somthing?

[zadok]

I'm with H.R on this one. The GTR1400 would be my pick if I had the moolah.

[skelstar]

Quasi has one, and toured down South doing so quite long kms. Not two-up though...

[Hitcher]

Concourse. HR has the nail concussed.

[Big Dave]

It needs a grab rail - or something for the girl to hold on to - and job done.
(luggage of course)
It's one of those bikes that makes virtually no difference if you carry a passenger.

My comfort on a long trip was more the issue than hers.

[BarBender]

Good bike to tour on. Rides well - is stable and eats miles.

Pluses are -

Comfortable pillion seat
Heaps of torque - any gear 1st - 6th it'll pull the same
Very manoeuvrable for a big bike even at slow speeds
Low seat height which is good for stability at a standstill and when rider is keeping the bike still for the pillion to get on and off
Not to bad on gas. (depending on how your ride it)

Possible negatives -

Pillion footpegs and rider footpegs are close so if you both have big feet, you're be bumping into each other
Depending on size of paniers you could be touching the pipes with the weight you're talking about
As mentioned - no pillion grab rail
If you are tall (rider) you will feel it in the knees and back after a long haulEnjoy

[MaxB]

The Euro version aka ZZR 1400 has a grab rail like here:

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kawasaki_zzr_1400_2006.php

Don't know if you can retro fit one to yours. I find grab rails v.useful as an atachment for luggage as well as for the pillion.

Ride safe

[NZsarge]

Don't know if you've already had this idea but if you want to raise the a bit for a little less race in the riding position (though i found it not to bad when i rode one) check out how the clip-on bar are mounted (3 bolts), just get a piece of alloy machined and drilled to match say 15 to 20mm deep and get the appropriate length bolts and you're golden.:2thumbsup

[zzrriders]

Im fitting new set of bars from a hamilton firm so hope that gives the same effect. I agree that about that gap would be useful.

[branco]

A question bout your old zzr1200. 28,000km's. Any known probs. shop wants 10 grand for it. Should i buy it as i live way down south and can't get to see it. Your honest opinion is sought, cheers.

[zzrriders]

We loved our zzr1200. It was a good touring machine. sold it at 28K and got $12000 for it. Awesome,awesome midrange power -eye watering.its a bit of a brute compared to a sports bike.
It has a vibration around 3.5 grand to 4 just where your 100-110 km cruise range is..er supposed to be!. Is not much but when you are doing a 4 hr ride it make you tingle a bit.
Great brakes but you get a bit more physical rather than flick when handling in the twisties. Having said that we spent a lot of time rocking around the Coromandels and the bike loved the action. 4 huge carbs.major accerlation and not too bad on the juice.
The standard seat is crap so we had Ian McDonald from TGa build a seat for us which is just magic for both touring and rocking.
engine at 28000K is just getting to its sweet spot..never had an ounce of trouble anytime , anywhere, strong as a horse.Had no other problems of any sort either. enjoy

[Butterfly]

The Euro version aka ZZR 1400 has a grab rail like here:

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kawasaki_zzr_1400_2006.php

Don't know if you can retro fit one to yours. I find grab rails v.useful as an atachment for luggage as well as for the pillion.

Ride safe

Yes you can fit a grab rail - have done that with mine. Standard part from Kawasaki NZ.

[zeocen]

Re. the seat on the zzr1200, don't suppose you'd want to sell that separately would you? From one well known sore arse to another well known sore arse from the stock seat. :)

[zeocen]

Also, I'll throw my 2c in for the ZZR1200 being one hell of a sport tour bike. Infact with suspension set up right it is a cornering machine!! It _always_ amazes me with how easy it tips in and how well it handles at slow speeds. At 54,000km and only a head bearing needed changing, it's still going strong with no signs of giving up.

There is notable buzz at 4 - 6 rpm but it can easily cruise at 2 - 3rpm with significant pull in any gear so you will experience it if you're getting a bit serious in the corners, playing with the gears etc.. however with an ER6F parallel twin in tow, the buzz is nothing! haha.

Only gripe is the seat, boggles the mind why they have such an awful seat on such a great sport tour :(

[Hitcher]

I was that close to buying a ZZR1200 when I got my FJR. Almost a toss of a coin decision it was. Barry New's smile was the clincher.

[banditrider]

Linky: http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=27&TID=41175&set_time=1218773916

or http://www.hannigansidecar.com/content/hpsidecars.html ;)