ZX14; 2006 model vs 2008 model?

[bounce]

Hey, getting close to thinking about grabbing a zx14 and hoping to get the thoughts of some owners on here;

I have ridden both 2006 and 2008 I found the 08 model had a heap more bottom end power - pretty comparable to hayabusa type clout. But apparently removing the intake butterflies on the 06 model pretty much sorts this out as well...

So, is an 06 with flies removed every bit as good as the 08?

I guess I'd need power commander or something to correct the fueling. Who in wgtn (or close by) is a good choice for that sort of work?

And can it be tuned to have the same really smooth fueling of the newer model or am I best to save up the difference?

cheers!

[Stylo]

Hey, getting close to thinking about grabbing a zx14 and hoping to get the thoughts of some owners on here;

I have ridden both 2006 and 2008 I found the 08 model had a heap more bottom end power - pretty comparable to hayabusa type clout. But apparently removing the intake butterflies on the 06 model pretty much sorts this out as well...

So, is an 06 with flies removed every bit as good as the 08?

I guess I'd need power commander or something to correct the fueling. Who in wgtn (or close by) is a good choice for that sort of work?

And can it be tuned to have the same really smooth fueling of the newer model or am I best to save up the difference?

cheers!

Wish i could help mate, looked at a new '14 earlier this year but ...the numbers did'nt stack so i saved myself a few bucks and went for a new 'Busa . No fuelling issues at all , good luck

[PSYCHO]

And can it be tuned to have the same really smooth fueling of the newer model or am I best to save up the difference?

Is the 06 with the flies removed abit nasty? or the stock 06?

[bounce]

hoping that 06 with flies out and power commander installed can be as smooth a machine as the 08 model in standard trim. Possible do you think? Guess it comes down to the map a bit eh..

[DMNTD:Me]

hoping that 06 with flies out and power commander installed can be as smooth a machine as the 08 model in standard trim. Possible do you think? Guess it comes down to the map a bit eh..

Got an '07 with b'flies out, Power Commander,air filter, quick turn throttle, -1 front sprocket, yada yada etc.
Linear power curve with a horrendous fuck-off arse puckering yee ha factor!
OR...it can be ridden as a simple sport tourer due to its divine torque.
I've owned a few bikes now and have to admit that this is the best all round road/fun bike I have had bar none.
Just ticked over 50,000kms and it just gets better and better.
We chose the ZX14 over the Suzuki simply due to riding position and its lower centre of gravity. The Suzuki is a bloody good bike and they both have extremely similar power.

[bounce]

I've owned a few bikes now and have to admit that this is the best all round road/fun bike I have had bar none. We chose the ZX14 over the Suzuki simply due to riding position and its lower centre of gravity. The Suzuki is a bloody good bike and they both have extremely similar power.

sweet. yeah I agree. I had a hayabusa for a while. had a power comamnder but whichever map was on there had made fuelling really snatchy. low speed stuff in the wet was just a bit more work than it should have been. Was hoping that I would not end up with similar situation with a flies out ZX.

Totally. I really enjoyed the busa. The new one is fantastic as well. Perfect fuelling, forget the 3 power modes, not needed at all. But I did have a chance to ride an 06 zx14 and the riding position was a better fit. Plus I thought the braking was superiour as well - just the bottom end was terrible!! No punch at all. I was sure there was something wrong. Flies sounds like the answer. Don't get me wrong, I don't need 170bhp all day every day but I do expect to not need to change down to 3rd gear to overtake on a 1400cc bike .

Plus I like the ninja's as well anways.. I'm on a 636 at the moment and will be doing some longer treks up the line. hoping a 14 will be spot on. How would you rate the pillion capability of the zx by the way?

[DMNTD:Me]

Don't get me wrong, I don't need 170bhp all day every day but I do expect to not need to change down to 3rd gear to overtake on a 1400cc bike .

170 rwhp would be rather disappointing out of a breathed on '14 man
Last dyno we had just over 180 rwhp.
-1 on the front sprocket will let it over take in any gear from about 70kmph

Just gave our a 50,000km birthday. As we won't sell it, thought we may as well paint it something slightly different.
It's the Holden colour "Crunch"...rather apt for me apparently

[bounce]

It's the Holden colour "Crunch"...rather apt for me apparently

bike looks mean as. are those the M2 or the M5 two brothers?

[NZsarge]

will be doing some longer treks up the line. hoping a 14 will be spot on.

14's love long trips mate, serious mile eaters.

[Owl]

Just gave our a 50,000km birthday. As we won't sell it, thought we may as well paint it something slightly different.
It's the Holden colour "Crunch"...rather apt for me apparently

Great choice of colour! Very very nice indeed

[DMNTD:Me]

Great choice of colour! Very very nice indeed

Cheers mate....changes big time in differing lights and as we won't be selling this bike we thought we may as well personalize it

[Stylo]

[QUOTE=Captain Crunch;1129833272][B]Got an '07 with b'flies out, Power Commander,air filter, quick turn throttle, -1 front sprocket, yada yada etc.
Linear power curve with a horrendous fuck-off arse puckering yee ha factor!
OR...it can be ridden as a simple sport tourer due to its divine torque.
I've owned a few bikes now and have to admit that this is the best all round road/fun bike I have had bar none.
Just ticked over 50,000kms and it just gets better and better.
We chose the ZX14 over the Suzuki simply due to riding position and its lower centre of gravity. The Suzuki is a bloody good bike and they both have extremely similar power.

Have to agree CC re the riding position , on my second Busa now '09 and it's faultless apart from the cramped cockpit. The ZX14 is so much better in that respect I agree but ! ...

Not sure why the 14 has to change it's Torquing and Power curves every year, seemingly, ?

Suzuki seem to get it right every time, Kawi did it with the KX500, why not the 14 ? 5 cents

[DMNTD:Me]

Have to agree CC re the riding position , on my second Busa now '09 and it's faultless apart from the cramped cockpit. The ZX14 is so much better in that respect I agree but ! ...

Not sure why the 14 has to change it's Torquing and Power curves every year, seemingly, ?

Heh...not sure about that one mate. I was only aware of the noticeable difference '08+ tbh.
I'm never content with anything 'out of the box' anyway whomever may make it so quite happy to tweak away.
Once the '14's motor starts wearing out I'll be going for a 1540 big bore kit and considering a super charger or similar

[bounce]

Have to agree CC re the riding position , on my second Busa now '09 and it's faultless apart from the cramped cockpit. The ZX14 is so much better in that respect I agree but ! ...

yeah teh 14 feels quite a bit like my '06 zx6r.. just bigger and more relaxed. I had a busa previously as well. much better than a 600 for distance of course - but being only 5'9 the reach to bars resulted in a bit more weight on the wrists than need be I recon. Zx14 on the short ride i have so far had seemed spot on for me. Will know for sure this weekend

Not sure why the 14 has to change it's Torquing and Power curves every year, seemingly, ?
Suzuki seem to get it right every time, Kawi did it with the KX500, why not the 14 ? 5 cents

nah just 2 versions I think. believe initial version (06/07) was pretty neutered <6000rpm so that rookies wouldnt come unstuck on it I guess - it seems they listened to the complaints and corrected it for 2008. I hear the 08 is pretty solid. The only 08 I have ridden had full twobros and juice box and that definitely wouldn't have been giving much up to my '03 busa for low end. Not sure how close to that the stock 08 is though..

[NZsarge]

yeah teh 14 feels quite a bit like my '06 zx6r.. just bigger and more relaxed. I had a busa previously as well. much better than a 600 for distance of course - but being only 5'9 the reach to bars resulted in a bit more weight on the wrists than need be I recon. Zx14 on the short ride i have so far had seemed spot on for me. Will know for sure this weekend

There are 20mm bar risers available for the 14 that if you get the black ones they look stock, makes all the difference over a long distance.