ROADTOAD's new ride

ROADTOAD1340 said:
Straight up , stock vs stock , The stock ZX14R is quicker , probably handles better for the most riders , it was a newer bike design , and Kawasaki had 2 goes at it , before it finally beat the stock Gen2 Hayabusa where needed .
In the real world however , comparing and choosing between a Gen 2 Kawasaki and Gen 2 Hayabusa , really comes down to what you prefer , and what matters most to you with your motorcycle ride needs and wants . Both make oodles of grunt , share factory limited top speed , and with a very good lightweight rider , can hit around the mid nines or maybe less from standing start . The Kawasaki makes more power everywhere , and is slightly heavier wet weight , the Busa is outright more aerodynamic and generally has more performance modification updates available to buy . The Kawasaki is quicker to restricted top speed , stock , but unrestricted examples of both have mostly shown that the Busa will claw back any top speed deficit given enough room .
The Kawasaki feels like and is the newer tech to ride , helped mainly because the weight is definitely held a fraction lower on the bike , but the Busa isn't what I call top heavy , just feels slightly higher up . Both bikes have different ride feel , mainly because of the frame designs , the Busa sporting the traditional twin spar perimeter frame and the ZX14R the unique monocoque casting . The ZX14R suffers from top of motor to frame clearance , example ; it is harder to access the coil sticks and plugs etc. because of this , but with the right tools , it is still all do able , you can remove enough to get the job done okay . No such problems with the straight forward Busa , and that excellent hinged tank design . But , having said that , both machines share a rather technical , interesting interlocking body panel system , which thankfully once learnt is straight forward .
Both machines have pretty good front suspension , fork adjustment , the rear suspension is okay . Front brakes on the Kawasaki are much superior over the 08-12 Busa , the abs isn't too obtrusive either , on the street anyway .
I originally chose the Gen 2 Busa over the ZX14R for a number of reasons , firstly , I love Suzuki big cc in line fours , and the Gen 2 is just a honest respectable horsepower powerplant , with gobs of grunt . Secondly , the chassis , that perimeter frame and braced swingarm ( something I missed on stock ZX14R ) , just love that structural design and setup . Thirdly , the fairly extensive aftermarket options available for the Busa , always nice to have options . Lastly , the Busa overall shape , design , while not beautiful , was unique and very slippery .
I added the Zed14 some years later as we know , the draw of easy obtained 200 bhp and matching fat torque , the major draw for me . The bonus surprise , was it handle very well , and I knew I was going to have a lot of fun with this bike too .
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And the Kwacker is a good looking bike too....

That green is the best color...
 
Bumblebee said:
And the Kwacker is a good looking bike too....

That green is the best color...
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Thanks Sarge , it does seem to stick out like dogs balls nowadays ... I was telling Mythos how quite a few peeps come over to chat when i park it , whereas they didn't ever before . I do not think they are coming over to see the prime specimen riding it , but you never know . :rolleyes:
 
ROADTOAD1340 said:
Thanks Sarge , it does seem to stick out like dogs balls nowadays ... I was telling Mythos how quite a few peeps come over to chat when i park it , whereas they didn't ever before . I do not think they are coming over to see the prime specimen riding it , but you never know . :rolleyes:
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You never know, maybe they are trying to get close to you and using the bike for an excuse.
 
ROADTOAD1340 said:
Thanks Sarge , it does seem to stick out like dogs balls nowadays ... I was telling Mythos how quite a few peeps come over to chat when i park it , whereas they didn't ever before . I do not think they are coming over to see the prime specimen riding it , but you never know . :rolleyes:
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Hi. I was thinking of getting a sport tour for longer trips. I am looking at Gen 2-3 and the 2016 to 18 ZX14. Only mods will be pipe unlock Ecu and tune. As for the ZX 14 have they fixed the # 3 rod bearing problem yet? I had a ZX 11 with a 1300cc kit and NOS it let go a 195 MPH big fire ball when oil hit the pipes. It spit the rod through the cases. I did ride it home about 20 miles. I have all of the big Kawi's from 82 on up to the ZX 12's. I would like a ZX14 but?
 
michael parris heuberger said:
Hi. I was thinking of getting a sport tour for longer trips. I am looking at Gen 2-3 and the 2016 to 18 ZX14. Only mods will be pipe unlock Ecu and tune. As for the ZX 14 have they fixed the # 3 rod bearing problem yet? I had a ZX 11 with a 1300cc kit and NOS it let go a 195 MPH big fire ball when oil hit the pipes. It spit the rod through the cases. I did ride it home about 20 miles. I have all of the big Kawi's from 82 on up to the ZX 12's. I would like a ZX14 but?
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Either the choice of the three you list would fit the bill as a comfortable sport tourer Mike , and also as good bikes for carrying pillion , imo .
As for the fix for Kawasaki rod bearing failure potential , I am ignorant of any knowledge of this occurring to the 14's . If you are able to contain yourself to your stated mods you would employ on that choice of ZX14R ( lmao ) , with perhaps the added oil pump billet plate , gear and pick up kit like I added , you should be okay .I also added a Brocks clutch kit to cure some detected clutch slip .
You will be running similar setup to myself , but later model , with better Brembo M50 calipers stock .
 
Another beaut day to get a ride in , this time ventured a bit further away down south , to eventually get too some real nice servery . The lads were riding Gen 3 Busa , Triumph Rocket 3 GT ( different to other mates 3R previous ride ) and 2009 F4 312R classic Italia .
I also got a ride in on the Gen 3 today , and although that bike is set up for a lot lighter rider ( my mate is 85 kg vs me 130kg ) we swapped bikes .
Well , I got to say it does indeed feel a lot smaller pyhsically than my Gen 2 Busa , the seat and tank and everything feel closer , everything seems at least , more compact . You always feel you sit in a Busa , but the Gen 3 seems more so to me , but jumping from the Zed14 (that you sit on feel) might have exemplified this . It also feels pretty comfortable , better than I remember my first ride on the Gen 2 , the bars are closer as we know , but the pegs are lower as well . Suspension , as mentioned was soft setup , so I was surprised I never encountered any sign of corner wallow or even some vagueness , the suspension coped very well with the moderate to high speeds I subjected it , and at times , on very crap road surface . Suzuki have done a number on the rake / trail , and / or changed the triples offset , but I tell you now , initial turn in is neutral and quick , love it . Front and rear suspension coped well , considering my fat ass was aboard , and I only let up in trafficked corners .
Brakes felt very good , what you would expect from Brembo Stylimas mated to 320mm rotor , abs only felt under really hard braking from speed , so I like that .
Quick shifter is the best , I love it , so smooth and quick , unbelievable , better than my Cordona on my Busa .
The motor , this example still fitted with standard exhaust and ecu , but run in very nicely , is just lovely . Super smooth , builds power quickly from low end through the responsive fat midrange , then powers on the cam to redline , fast enough to enjoy the rush , and bonus of more to look forward too once the tuner unlock the beast .
My mate had a bit more trouble with my ZX14 , the suspension is set for me , so he took it relatively easy , but got to sample the power and was pretty impressed with that monster motor .
I like the Gen 3 , I can imagine how good it would be with the suspension mods and wheels like I run on my Gen 2 , and piped and tuned .
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michael parris heuberger said:
As for the ZX 14 have they fixed the # 3 rod bearing problem yet?
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That was something I read about occasionally on ninjaforums but it was the Gen1 that had oilling issues to one of the rod bearings. I did hear about Gen2 ZX-14s spinning a rod bearing once or twice. I'd ask over there if Kaw took measures to fix the problem on the Gen2. I believe they did add an oil port where lubrication had been lacking. I never had a problem with my Gen1 ZX-14 in 50,000 miles. I've heard the busa has been known to throw a rod too but my busa hasn't done it. If you ask me, it's just one of those risks you accept if you ride one of these bikes.

 
My old mates recently made the 3300KM journey back down to Sth. Australia from Darwin NT , to pick up his stored drag Busa from my place . We picked up the freshened up motor from another old mates bike shop , and we fitted it at home . After a bit of a wrestle , we got the donk all fitted and eventually the bike was prepped for run in and dyno tune . It then went off to another fella's dyno , because old mates dyno recently broke something , and was tuned by another mate who got 210whp and 113ftlb on 102 octane fuel . The motor has been freshened , the pistons are standard Busa and remains 1340cc , but has been flowed with new valve springs and ti retainers , slotted cam sprockets and a set of cams , manual cam chain adjuster . Bodywork received a new lustrous coat of wild paint , from another mates new shop . I went through the bike fitting a chunk of ti and aluminum bolts , to round out the freshen up . Oh , and he picked up a couple of redback spiders holed up on his bike while it was at my joint ... they were a another Sth OZ bonus ....
Looking forward to the new race season , still a couple of weeks off .

Big Als Busa.jpg
 
ROADTOAD1340 said:
My old mates recently made the 3300KM journey back down to Sth. Australia from Darwin NT , to pick up his stored drag Busa from my place . We picked up the freshened up motor from another old mates bike shop , and we fitted it at home . After a bit of a wrestle , we got the donk all fitted and eventually the bike was prepped for run in and dyno tune . It then went off to another fella's dyno , because old mates dyno recently broke something , and was tuned by another mate who got 210whp and 113ftlb on 102 octane fuel . The motor has been freshened , the pistons are standard Busa and remains 1340cc , but has been flowed with new valve springs and ti retainers , slotted cam sprockets and a set of cams , manual cam chain adjuster . Bodywork received a new lustrous coat of wild paint , from another mates new shop . I went through the bike fitting a chunk of ti and aluminum bolts , to round out the freshen up . Oh , and he picked up a couple of redback spiders holed up on his bike while it was at my joint ... they were a another Sth OZ bonus ....
Looking forward to the new race season , still a couple of weeks off .

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Hi. What can you say, that looked fantastic. BEST OF LUCK TOO.
 
ROADTOAD1340 said:
Well , bought myself another bike to mess with , and I really wanted something a little different , before I jump back into continuing my L2's next evolution , and at least one more other Busa . So I scored a 2013 ZX14R , only done under 4800 km , and is unmolested !! It is my first Kawasaki , and since the ZX14 and the Busa is the only Hyper bikes made by anyone , I feel I got a couple of historically special motorcycles !! I will be looking at swapping out a few things ... like a full exhaust and pc5 pretty soon..... man those mufflers are huge !! Thinking maybe Brock or Akrapovic for this beast .
The bike feels like it is going to be a good base to build from , and now I realize how razor sharp my L2 actually is , but that is what you would expect with the L2 upgrades .
I am going to see if I can dial in the suspension a bit , but it won't be able to be set correctly , till I get it all attended to . I plan on riding it around for awhile , see what I think will be best suited mod path for my needs .

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Woaaw,,, Just loved your bike :)
 
It is winter here , so I sent my Zed14 away to my tuner , for him to do some more fine dyno tuning . We got some good results , still running 98 unleaded , CT exhaust , so pretty happy . The power spread from 8600rpm to 11500rpm has improved , so has the overall torque curve . Looking forward to summer rides .

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ROADTOAD1340 said:
I am picking it up tomorrow , got an 80 km ride home , so might be able to get some idea of the improved ride . My tuner says it now feels like a different bike , so I am eager to ride test it .
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We'll be awaiting your report on the difference after the final tuning. Speaking of ride reports have you ridden your mate's gen3 at all? I know you brought it up begot but real curious to see what your thoughts are compared to the L2.
 
Dopey said:
We'll be awaiting your report on the difference after the final tuning. Speaking of ride reports have you ridden your mate's gen3 at all? I know you brought it up begot but real curious to see what your thoughts are compared to the L2.
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I got a ride on the Gen 3 back in march , post #386 on this thread , there is a bit of a ride impression write up . I will be riding the same road home today on the Zed14 .
 
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