I have had a 2015 ZX14r for two years, it's a bike that you can't not love ,the longer you own it....power comfort and she likes to get thrown around and never loses her grip..... nothing takes off quicker that a zx14 at the traffic lights
About to get one for Christmas. Been eyeing the bike for more than three to four years. Took me that much time to save up and finally pull the trigger. My last bike was a Suzuki GSX-R. Thank you for the review. (California)
I have a 2012 busa with the same slip on exhaust and a K&n air filter. the street version. man that's all you need just for street. I like the fact that you give respect to other bikes too. I can't stand when people act like they have the fastest bike on the planet. it really come down to the rider and how much you are willing to put in the bike. you can make any bike 1000cc and up into a beast if that's what you are after. keep it up bro. and great looking bike.
Hayabusa1340 I have a Honda superblackbird that can beat your bike 😂just joking just love ridding it I'm saving for a kwakv1400zzr now nearly got a busa before the bird just saying 🤔 ride safe bud 🏍xx
Bought one yesterday. Same year, color, etc. (Love the Brembo goodies and braided lines) Any doubts I had before quickly disappeared when I felt how comfy the seat is, but especially when I twisted the throttle at 70mph for the first time on the way home. Dang.
Mr Barlow, I have to thank you for this review and the one for your H2. As an owner of 4 deliberately very different bikes, I wanted to step up from a 2012 Kawasaki Concours to a more serious performance model. I do also enjoy owning a 2013 Ducati Diavel which is an odd but enjoyable design but wanted the advantages offered by a more aggressive chassis and riding stance. Your honest comments comparing your real world ownership experience helped me decide on the ZX14R over the H2 or ZX10R. Since day one I've enjoyed it beyond words and now that she has over 9000 miles on her, she seems to be loosening up and making even more power. Its combination of weight, wheel base, geometry and smooth power delivery build rider confidence easily. It's just very difficult to make myself behave while riding since it always feels so controllable and of course, excess acceleration is always right there for the asking. This level of power is so addicting, I'm now considering trading in the Ducati Diavel for an H2. Do you find that owning the H2 is a little redundant since the ZX14R is so similar in performance or does the thrill of its supercharger and it's quicker handling provide sufficiently different handling to merit enjoying both. I ask because I do appreciate the very different riding position (more comfortable), style and attitude of the Diavel so that each bike fills a different niche in my little fleet. BTW my other two bikes are big USA V-Twins... a custom Victory Jackpot Chopper (yes, I'm a 70s dinosaur) and the other is a 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour (for 2-up touring). Sorry to ramble... almost feel like I'm chattin with a great friend who helped steer me to the best bike purchase I've ever made!
well let me see, thanks for the compliments, basically to get right to it, the H2 and 14 are different bikes. I will say to me that the H2 is more aggressive in both riding position and power delivery, for me it's not an everyday ride, definitely not one for long rides, but it will satisfy for sure! don't know if you can find one at a dealership to test ride one first or at least get to sit on one, just to see if you will even like the riding position. I will make some more vids when I get the chance. ride safe bro.
Thanks for the review. Nice blacked-out ZX-14! I noted that you said that you have a ZX-12r also. I ride a '04 ZX-12r and absolutely love it compared the uncomfortable liter bikes. Mine is stock with a pc3 & full Akro header/pipe: And dyno'd at 180+ to the ground. I am 'thinking' of getting a ZX-14r but not sure of the pros/cons of trading. Many YT videos show the 12r & 14r running head to head in terms of top speed & acceleration. What do you think? Is the extra power of the 14r diminished by the extra weight? Etc.?
Sweet bike man. Just got the new Ninja 1000 abs but am already looking at the 14. lol Was using Mobil 1 4t but just switched to Amsoil. If you study all the tests it is superior oil. What color light did you put on?
Best color for this bike in my opinion and also looks so much better in person especially when next to the other colors. I was just wondering how tall are you? because i'm 6'5 210 looking for a more comfortable super sport bike. I currently have an 08 GSX-R 750 but not gonna get rid of her, lol. But she's not practical for rides over an hr for me. Also, can you put the rear seat cowl over the Sergeants seat?
Hey Slim, I'm about 5'10 190, but I know ZX14 riders as tall as you and that is one of the reason's they brought the 14, it's diffidently the bike I choose for my "long" rides. no can't put the cowl on with the Sergeant's seat, however the seat's comfort more then makes up for it, and as I mentioned in one of my videos, that cowl will scratch up the paint, so I would have taken it off eventually.
The slip ons won't void the warranty? I was going to hold off on getting some coffman shorty slip ons because thought it might void the warranty. I am about to get a leftover 16 same as yours.
This bike with this color is super class. I just love it. Is it a special edition for 2016 in US ? cuz we don't have it like this in Switzerland. Thanks for the video
yes, it's the special edition for 2016. I didn't know they made it all black until I walked into the show room at the Kawasaki dealership and just had to buy it. lol
Insurance is going to depend on many factors, your age, driving record, sex, location, ect, right now I have State Farm, for me it was one of the lowest companies I could find, but I would say shop around your area, just because State Farm is cheap here doesn't mean it will be cheap where you are at.
Congrats bro, there are a few that you can get to replace it, I like either Brock's or Two Brothers, just have the Two Brothers slip on's on mine for now, but will be getting a Brock's full exhaust later this year.
they are holding up just fine, I have the full exhaust on now, like the look, but frankly I only purchased the two brothers because at the time they were on sale super cheap and I like the carbon look, my opinion get what you think sounds and looks good to you, in the HP gain area all of these slip on's are just about the same regardless of what the manufacture says!
@@mrbarlow673 Same here, I just had their carbon fiber silver series put on with a PCV. Caught them on sale at Amazon for $650. Very pleased with the deep note these deliver. Thanks for the respond! Keep those Kawi's rubber side down lol ride safe brother.
Hey, I'm curious, what's the difference in insurance cost on your ZX-14R versus your H2? Because of my area, Progressive quoted me $250 PER MONTH on a ZX-14R! That is insane. They told me they go off of the size of the engine, so I'm curious if the H2's 999cc would make a difference. Thanks
Josh Lambert well it also depends on the age of the bike, so for example I pay $87 for my H2, $60 for my ZX14, but my 2000 ZX12R I only pay $17 a month. keep in mine though I'm old lol
Mr Barlow Yeah, I'm old too. That's the scary thing about my quote! I have no tickets or moving violations, but apparently my zipcode has a high number of motorcycle accidents. I don't know, we'll see. I'm not that close to getting my bike. I'm going to do some serious shopping around for insurance, when the time comes. What are your thoughts on the rumors that Kawasaki Heavy Industries might have a Supercharged ZX-14R coming?
Or you can get the Brocks ECU Flash 2, and they'll open much sooner while giving you more on top than if you eliminate them. ;) They open slowly from the factory for safety reasons.
Mr Barlow Picking up my new ZX14R SE next weekend near Galveston. After I flash the ecu and install my Brock's titanium Alien Head pipe I'll be riding up near Buffalo and Centerville right off 45 breaking her in!
+Dar Tice I was cruising between 80-90 depending on traffic. But the low fuel is conservative. It's atleast 1 gallon maybe more after the range goes blank.
+Mr Barlow That's correct, in town my range is the same. But if you ever get a chance for a road trip the range goes easily. I have taken my zx14r from LA to Sacramento in a day and it was comfy and I only stopped for gas. No back pain or wrist pain on the trip and that was 6plus hours.
don't know, I just got mine in march, but I did change the plugs on my ZX12R, it was a pain and took awhile but I was able to do it with dropping the motor.
HUGE! the seat is 100% more comfortable and softer than the stock one, not to mention it changes your riding position..for the better, one way it keeps you off of the tank, especially when you have a passenger! with the stock seat after riding a few hours I'm doing the cheek shuffle,but on the sergants seat no issues I can keep riding there are other seats that you can buy, but for me after doing some research and reading reviews I picked this seat. I made a short vid on it when I first got it.
That's not enough oil. You will soon join the main bearing journal spun crew. You need to top it off till the window is full. Look on TH-cam about the noise it makes and the owners don't know shit...kinda like you. Owners with 2012+ 10k miles, bought from new and tick, tick, tick.....gotta be like 20+ videos of the same noise. Spun bearings is common on zx14, top it off more, or join the club. You been warned.
I have had a 2015 ZX14r for two years, it's a bike that you can't not love ,the longer you own it....power comfort and she likes to get thrown around and never loses her grip..... nothing takes off quicker that a zx14 at the traffic lights
I thought having 2 bikes was enough (2005 screaming Eagle vrod/2020 Zx14r). Your insurance rep must love you.
About to get one for Christmas. Been eyeing the bike for more than three to four years. Took me that much time to save up and finally pull the trigger. My last bike was a Suzuki GSX-R. Thank you for the review. (California)
That's Awesome Bro, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.
I have a 2012 busa with the same slip on exhaust and a K&n air filter. the street version. man that's all you need just for street. I like the fact that you give respect to other bikes too. I can't stand when people act like they have the fastest bike on the planet. it really come down to the rider and how much you are willing to put in the bike. you can make any bike 1000cc and up into a beast if that's what you are after. keep it up bro. and great looking bike.
There are a lot of great bikes being made nowadays, think if I were rich like Jay Leno I'd have a garage like his lol,
Hayabusa1340 I have a Honda superblackbird that can beat your bike 😂just joking just love ridding it I'm saving for a kwakv1400zzr now nearly got a busa before the bird just saying 🤔 ride safe bud 🏍xx
Bought one yesterday. Same year, color, etc. (Love the Brembo goodies and braided lines) Any doubts I had before quickly disappeared when I felt how comfy the seat is, but especially when I twisted the throttle at 70mph for the first time on the way home. Dang.
congrats bro, yeah a lot of new 14 owners have the same reaction lol! pulls hard all the way to redline.
Yeah I love this color too. Was going to get it until I saw the 30th Anniv Edition and fell in love with it.
Yes that two tone on that model looks good.
I bought in Feb the same! Love It!
it's an awesome bike! congrats bro!
Who makes the side tank protectors on your bike?
85 to 90 to a tank 😱 looks nice
nice bike, I had one a few years ago...
Great colour scheme.
love your review. I am torn between the Kawasaki zx14r or Ducati Diavel or bmw s1000rr.
really love this bike
Thanks!
How much faster is your H2 to your ZX14R?
Mr Barlow, I have to thank you for this review and the one for your H2. As an owner of 4 deliberately very different bikes, I wanted to step up from a 2012 Kawasaki Concours to a more serious performance model. I do also enjoy owning a 2013 Ducati Diavel which is an odd but enjoyable design but wanted the advantages offered by a more aggressive chassis and riding stance. Your honest comments comparing your real world ownership experience helped me decide on the ZX14R over the H2 or ZX10R. Since day one I've enjoyed it beyond words and now that she has over 9000 miles on her, she seems to be loosening up and making even more power. Its combination of weight, wheel base, geometry and smooth power delivery build rider confidence easily. It's just very difficult to make myself behave while riding since it always feels so controllable and of course, excess acceleration is always right there for the asking. This level of power is so addicting, I'm now considering trading in the Ducati Diavel for an H2. Do you find that owning the H2 is a little redundant since the ZX14R is so similar in performance or does the thrill of its supercharger and it's quicker handling provide sufficiently different handling to merit enjoying both. I ask because I do appreciate the very different riding position (more comfortable), style and attitude of the Diavel so that each bike fills a different niche in my little fleet. BTW my other two bikes are big USA V-Twins... a custom Victory Jackpot Chopper (yes, I'm a 70s dinosaur) and the other is a 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour (for 2-up touring). Sorry to ramble... almost feel like I'm chattin with a great friend who helped steer me to the best bike purchase I've ever made!
well let me see, thanks for the compliments, basically to get right to it, the H2 and 14 are different bikes. I will say to me that the H2 is more aggressive in both riding position and power delivery, for me it's not an everyday ride, definitely not one for long rides, but it will satisfy for sure! don't know if you can find one at a dealership to test ride one first or at least get to sit on one, just to see if you will even like the riding position. I will make some more vids when I get the chance. ride safe bro.
Thanks for the review. Nice blacked-out ZX-14! I noted that you said that you have a ZX-12r also. I ride a '04 ZX-12r and absolutely love it compared the uncomfortable liter bikes. Mine is stock with a pc3 & full Akro header/pipe: And dyno'd at 180+ to the ground. I am 'thinking' of getting a ZX-14r but not sure of the pros/cons of trading. Many YT videos show the 12r & 14r running head to head in terms of top speed & acceleration. What do you think? Is the extra power of the 14r diminished by the extra weight? Etc.?
He did say that it keeps up with the H2. That says a lot about the power with the weight.
I have an '06 .Best to do your own servicing unless you have access to an extraordinary technician.
Are the tank knee guards on the tank, addons? my 2014 does not have them. Thanks. Beautiful bike.
thanks! and yes I put on the Knee pads purchased them from Revzilla, need to add a couple of more strips though.
Sweet bike man. Just got the new Ninja 1000 abs but am already looking at the 14. lol Was using Mobil 1 4t but just switched to Amsoil. If you study all the tests it is superior oil. What color light did you put on?
thx, it's different colors red blue green, I have a video of it LED lights on ZX14R SE
Best color for this bike in my opinion and also looks so much better in person especially when next to the other colors. I was just wondering how tall are you? because i'm 6'5 210 looking for a more comfortable super sport bike. I currently have an 08 GSX-R 750 but not gonna get rid of her, lol. But she's not practical for rides over an hr for me. Also, can you put the rear seat cowl over the Sergeants seat?
Hey Slim, I'm about 5'10 190, but I know ZX14 riders as tall as you and that is one of the reason's they brought the 14, it's diffidently the bike I choose for my "long" rides. no can't put the cowl on with the Sergeant's seat, however the seat's comfort more then makes up for it, and as I mentioned in one of my videos, that cowl will scratch up the paint, so I would have taken it off eventually.
The slip ons won't void the warranty? I was going to hold off on getting some coffman shorty slip ons because thought it might void the warranty. I am about to get a leftover 16 same as yours.
Hey Slim, I’m 6’4” approximately 250 and the zx14 is a comfortable ride. More comfortable than the Busa for long rides.
This bike with this color is super class. I just love it. Is it a special edition for 2016 in US ? cuz we don't have it like this in Switzerland.
Thanks for the video
yes, it's the special edition for 2016. I didn't know they made it all black until I walked into the show room at the Kawasaki dealership and just had to buy it. lol
wow. well i'm telling you something. If one day i have to buy a ZX-14R i might need to import one from the US with this color 😋
Great bike great video, I am shopping for bikes and I must say that I think I'm going with the 14R. How is the insurance? Any pointers?
Insurance is going to depend on many factors, your age, driving record, sex, location, ect, right now I have State Farm, for me it was one of the lowest companies I could find, but I would say shop around your area, just because State Farm is cheap here doesn't mean it will be cheap where you are at.
I got this same bike a week ago. you changed the exhaust? I'm jlblnot a fan of my stock exhaust.
Congrats bro, there are a few that you can get to replace it, I like either Brock's or Two Brothers, just have the Two Brothers slip on's on mine for now, but will be getting a Brock's full exhaust later this year.
Kawasaki 🖤🖤
cool man thanks, any other mods you have planned for it?
only thing I'll do once my warranty runs out and I have the money is, get a full Brock's exhaust and ECU flash.
what tank pad is that? i ordered techspec for my zx14 2006
It's on the ZX-14R by default
Are you finding the paint hard to keep looking clean?
at times yes,but a good wax helps.
How are those slip-ons holding up? Looking to order some for mine. Torn between these and the Yoshimura R77.
they are holding up just fine, I have the full exhaust on now, like the look, but frankly I only purchased the two brothers because at the time they were on sale super cheap and I like the carbon look, my opinion get what you think sounds and looks good to you, in the HP gain area all of these slip on's are just about the same regardless of what the manufacture says!
@@mrbarlow673 Same here, I just had their carbon fiber silver series put on with a PCV. Caught them on sale at Amazon for $650. Very pleased with the deep note these deliver. Thanks for the respond! Keep those Kawi's rubber side down lol ride safe brother.
Hey, I'm curious, what's the difference in insurance cost on your ZX-14R versus your H2? Because of my area, Progressive quoted me $250 PER MONTH on a ZX-14R! That is insane. They told me they go off of the size of the engine, so I'm curious if the H2's 999cc would make a difference.
Thanks
Josh Lambert well it also depends on the age of the bike, so for example I pay $87 for my H2, $60 for my ZX14, but my 2000 ZX12R I only pay $17 a month. keep in mine though I'm old lol
Mr Barlow
Yeah, I'm old too. That's the scary thing about my quote! I have no tickets or moving violations, but apparently my zipcode has a high number of motorcycle accidents.
I don't know, we'll see. I'm not that close to getting my bike. I'm going to do some serious shopping around for insurance, when the time comes.
What are your thoughts on the rumors that Kawasaki Heavy Industries might have a Supercharged ZX-14R coming?
Here in New Zealand i pay $550 a year for full cover on my ZX14R
you can remove the secondary butterflies and you will have more of that on demand power you refer to about the h2
Or you can get the Brocks ECU Flash 2, and they'll open much sooner while giving you more on top than if you eliminate them. ;) They open slowly from the factory for safety reasons.
Photo314159 yes very true and ya good ol government making sure we are safe smh😒
yep! which is why as soon as I get me tax return money, full exhaust and ECU flash!
What part of Texas bro. I'm DFW with the same bike
I'm around the DFW area too
Get a room
Mr Barlow Picking up my new ZX14R SE next weekend near Galveston. After I flash the ecu and install my Brock's titanium Alien Head pipe I'll be riding up near Buffalo and Centerville right off 45 breaking her in!
If you are experienced enough to own a bike like the 14,you should have enough savvy to do routine maintenance yourself.
Or enough money to let someone else get their hands dirty.....
I can get 150 miles per tank easy, but I have to keep down around 80 or 90 to get that.
I have had mine all the way to 200miles before stopping for gas, headed to Las Vegas on a trip and I was surprised.
Wow! 200 miles that's really good!
+Dar Tice I was cruising between 80-90 depending on traffic. But the low fuel is conservative. It's atleast 1 gallon maybe more after the range goes blank.
I average around 150 -180, but regardless on my H2 still only get around 80-90.
+Mr Barlow That's correct, in town my range is the same. But if you ever get a chance for a road trip the range goes easily. I have taken my zx14r from LA to Sacramento in a day and it was comfy and I only stopped for gas. No back pain or wrist pain on the trip and that was 6plus hours.
how difficult is it to change spark plugs on these?
don't know, I just got mine in march, but I did change the plugs on my ZX12R, it was a pain and took awhile but I was able to do it with dropping the motor.
opps meant that I didn't drop the motor!
How much of a difference does that seat make?
HUGE! the seat is 100% more comfortable and softer than the stock one, not to mention it changes your riding position..for the better, one way it keeps you off of the tank, especially when you have a passenger! with the stock seat after riding a few hours I'm doing the cheek shuffle,but on the sergants seat no issues I can keep riding there are other seats that you can buy, but for me after doing some research and reading reviews I picked this seat. I made a short vid on it when I first got it.
Thank you,where can I buy one?
Dave Cowdrey I purchased mine from Revzilla.com
Meant tank pads...
i ff thru video NO START? WTF..................
Birds.
birds??
Get a proper bloody mike
That's not enough oil. You will soon join the main bearing journal spun crew. You need to top it off till the window is full. Look on TH-cam about the noise it makes and the owners don't know shit...kinda like you. Owners with 2012+ 10k miles, bought from new and tick, tick, tick.....gotta be like 20+ videos of the same noise. Spun bearings is common on zx14, top it off more, or join the club. You been warned.