ZX14 vs ZX9R around Pukekohe

[Biggles08]

Thinking of my next bike and wanted to get some others feedback on what they think performance wise between these two bikes. The ZX9R is mainly bred for sports use whereas the ZX14 is more sports/tourer IMHO. I was thinking about possibly owning two bikes in the future...one for sunday arvo blats...maybe a ZX10R, and one that will be a solid tourer suitable for 2 up, the ZX14 maybe. Then again, if the ZX14 would be as sporty as the 9 maybe I wouldn't need another bike.

I'm really happy with the ZX9R and still haven't come anywhere near to outgrowing it (performance wise) but I'm sure at some stage in the future I'll be wanting to trade up so might as well start thinking about it now:yes:

Hit the poll to let me know what you think.

[imdying]

If you've got the dosh to keep two bikes, might be worth having the touring one as the best touring weapons you can get (without losing too much sportiness), say the GTR or FJR?

[NZsarge]

Rode a ZX14 a while back and was well impressed (for my skill level which ain't that flash) I'd say give a 14 a good lookin' at.:rockon:

[Scouse]

Maybee you could keep your present missus as your sports missus and get a bigger fatter missus as a touring missus

[terbang]

Oooh and those 14's look great in black too...!

[cowpoos]

Thinking of my next bike and wanted to get some others feedback on what they think performance wise between these two bikes. The ZX9R is mainly bred for sports use whereas the ZX14 is more sports/tourer IMHO. I was thinking about possibly owning two bikes in the future...one for sunday arvo blats...maybe a ZX10R, and one that will be a solid tourer suitable for 2 up, the ZX14 maybe. Then again, if the ZX14 would be as sporty as the 9 maybe I wouldn't need another bike.

I'm really happy with the ZX9R and still haven't come anywhere near to outgrowing it (performance wise) but I'm sure at some stage in the future I'll be wanting to trade up so might as well start thinking about it now:yes:

Hit the poll to let me know what you think.
unless your planning to race the bike...why do you give a dam what is faster around pukie ???

[Biggles08]

unless your planning to race the bike...why do you give a dam what is faster around pukie ???

Its a simple question cowpoos! Why do you give a damn (note correct spelling ;-) why I do?


Maybee you could keep your present missus as your sports missus and get a bigger fatter missus as a touring missus

:lol::clap: Maybe!

[cowpoos]

Its a simple question cowpoos! Why do you give a damn (note correct spelling ;-) why I do?
well...get a zx-14 and your zx-9 to pukie on a test day...and I'll come along and we'll find out huh? :)

[Biggles08]

well...get a zx-14 and your zx-9 to pukie on a test day...and I'll come along and we'll find out huh? :)

But that would rely on my skills as a rider...and I'm not that confident that I'm any GP rider. The idea of the poll was simply to see where people saw the crossover between a 'sports' bike and a 'sports tourer.' The reason for using Puke as an example was because its a high speed track and obviously the ZX14 has more hp...but would this outweigh the handling disadvantage (if there is any) of the bigger bike. Just a thought provoker really to see others opinion.:yes:


Rode a ZX14 a while back and was well impressed (for my skill level which ain't that flash) I'd say give a 14 a good lookin' at.:rockon:

I will definitely give it a close look...its just when. I think I need to become a little older and wiser before I get a ZX14 though...I'm still happy pretending to be a racer :headbang:

[HDTboy]

If you can afford two bikes why not get a proper sports bike, and a proper tourer?

[BarBender]

I will definitely give it a close look...its just when. I think I need to become a little older and wiser before I get a ZX14 though...I'm still happy pretending to be a racer :headbang:

Your dilemna sounds familiar...

The 14 is not a racer. Its supension is too soft and while that may be good for a good cruise with the missus-it doesnt work if you want to do regular track days. The softness also doesnt allow for feedback and makes the bike rather misleading to ride....i.e.it handles too well if you catch my drift. So an after-market suspension would need to be fitted.

Once the suspension has been sorted - you may just have yourself a great sports/tourer option. The 9 might have a slight edge (if any) on feel and handling due to comparative size and weight but it would be minimal. On the other hand a well ridden 14 on a track like Puke with good suspension will swallow it...especially on anything sweeping and straight.

I've ridden a couple of stock 9s and while they're great bikes...they're relatively 'gutless' compared to its bigger bro.

If you're thinking about a next bike...you should also consider a 12.
I owned a B4 12 before the 14 and I consider it the superior bike...because it covered that sportsbike/sports tourer gap better than the 14.

I still miss it...:cry:

[MVnut]

The 14 would lap Puke faster than the 9:whocares:

[BIGBOSSMAN]

But that would rely on my skills as a rider...and I'm not that confident that I'm any GP rider. The idea of the poll was simply to see where people saw the crossover between a 'sports' bike and a 'sports tourer.' The reason for using Puke as an example was because its a high speed track and obviously the ZX14 has more hp...but would this outweigh the handling disadvantage (if there is any) of the bigger bike. Just a thought provoker really to see others opinion.:yes:

I'll make my opinion based on a good day of riding each bike. 1st up: Biggles ZX9R! Who's going to offer their ZX14 to me, eh?
B.M. out. :woohoo:

[Biggles08]

I'll make my opinion based on a good day of riding each bike. 1st up: Biggles ZX9R! Who's going to offer their ZX14 to me, eh?
B.M. out. :woohoo:

I'll lend you my ride if you lend me yours....bikes that is!:msn-wink:

[Biggles08]

The 14 would lap Puke faster than the 9:whocares:

Not according to the poll!?:dodge:I would actually think that too (the 14 being quicker) but its an interesting debate.

[Biggles08]

If you can afford two bikes why not get a proper sports bike, and a proper tourer?

I will if I can afford that when the time comes. :yes:

[MVnut]

Not according to the poll!?:dodge:I would actually think that too (the 14 being quicker) but its an interesting debate.

Maybe I should take them both round Puke.........been round there once or twice:scooter: I reckon the 14 would be quicker in the wet too:yes:

[Biggles08]

Maybe I should take them both round Puke.........been round there once or twice:scooter: I reckon the 14 would be quicker in the wet too:yes:

Whats the power to weight ratio on the 14?

[beyond]

Having ridden a ZX14 a couple of times and one time a three hour test demo, they handle great in the tight stuff and and love sweepers.
I havent ridden the 9 but have ridden the latest K7 GSXR1000 and in the tight stuff I much preferred the ZX14.

I ride nakeds though and find my GSX1400 a good handler in the tighter stuff. The ZX14 is every bit as good in the twisties but heaps of straight line grunt at higher speeds of course. Throttle on too hard coming out of a corner on the ZX and you don't get a second chance.

In my opinion the ZX is a great all rounder and would lap quicker on the Puke circuit.

[orangeback]

buy my zx10 an you bet them both:yes: :yes:

[Coyote]

The ZX14 has too many headlights

In my vain opinion...

[BarBender]

I havent ridden the 9 but have ridden the latest K7 GSXR1000 and in the tight stuff I much preferred the ZX14.

Yeah Paul - I remember you saying that and thought about that when I test rode a k7 recently also. My conclusion was that on the road - the 14 was better through the twisties.

But I wonder if thats because we both ride big bikes and our styles warrant a more upright riding style? While the k7 is 'slightly' more upright than the k5/k6 I still didnt feel comfortable being hunched over......too much bodyweight contributing to the front end compression if you know what I mean.
:shutup:

[Hitcher]

Around Pukekohe seems a strange comparison, given that you appear to want two different bikes to do two different jobs. Auckland to Wellington with a pillion and only one fuel stop allowed would be a good comparison too...

[zzrriders]

Hi i have a zx14 and its an awesome bike in every respect ( im not skiting, its just a fact) but its not a racer, as our friend pointed out.It eats miles in a fun way , handles very very well for a big bike. If you use it to join the cafe racers on the coromandel loop it wont serve you well and you would miss the point of the beast. Its hard to classify what the damn thing is but we love it.
We have put a custom seat on it to make it better for two up touring and a double bubble screen is going on soon . hope this helps

[Biggles08]

If you're thinking about a next bike...you should also consider a 12. I owned a B4 12 before the 14 and I consider it the superior bike...because it covered that sportsbike/sports tourer gap better than the 14. I still miss it...:cry:

Thats a fair point actually BarBender...funny enough, your the second to suggest that in the last few days. I hadn't really even considered the 12. Still not sure but I think I'll hold on to the 9 for a while until I can afford a 10 and a 9, 12 or 14. I think I need two bikes, racer and tourer....honestly honey... its the most sensible option:yes:LOL

[Big Dave]

Ummm - I don't think the ZX14 is a very good tourer. If you are over 6' anyway.

It is remarkably fast and tractable and has one of the most amazing engines I've ever ridden.

But I didn't find it all that comfortable - the seat to peg height is litre sportsbike standard and it's got drop bars - and I don't think it handled the twisties particularly well either (that isn't to say badly at all - but there are more nimble bikes). High speed stability is its forte. Probably the best there is, but in light of some of its competition I've tested since...

Also no luggage.

Haven't tested a 9 - have done a ZX10 - I would kill me on the 14 around Puke riding the ten.