ZX14 vs ZX9R around Pukekohe

**Biggles08** · 23rd June 2007, 11:09

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

Hit the poll to let me know what you think.

**imdying** · 23rd June 2007, 11:44

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** · 23rd June 2007, 11:49

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.

**Scouse** · 23rd June 2007, 12:05

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

**terbang** · 23rd June 2007, 12:07

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

**cowpoos** · 23rd June 2007, 12:28

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 23rd June 2007, 13:12

Originally Posted by cowpoos

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?

Originally Posted by zrxer

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

Maybe!

**cowpoos** · 23rd June 2007, 13:34

Originally Posted by Biggles08

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** · 23rd June 2007, 13:40

Originally Posted by cowpoos

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**HDTboy** · 23rd June 2007, 14:21

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

**BarBender** · 23rd June 2007, 16:29

Originally Posted by Biggles08

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

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...

**MVnut** · 23rd June 2007, 19:29

The 14 would lap Puke faster than the 9

**BIGBOSSMAN** · 23rd June 2007, 19:33

Originally Posted by Biggles08

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.

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.