ZX14 vs FJR comparo

[Texan]

I've been riding my new ZX14 every day this week. Thank God that the FJR is inanimate or she might get jealous. I absolutely love the FJR and have been so happy with that bike. The ZX14 is completely different and does a fantastic job of putting a smile on my face. The riding positions are different and the feel of the bike is much more performance oriented. The 14 feels much more like a part of me. It's slightly smaller and compact (although the seat height is actually a tad taller). The response of the bike is spectacular - I can't imagine any bike could respond more quickly to the throttle, brake or steering input. You simply need to look where you want to go, and boom - there you are.

So, which bike is better? Here's the comparo on a scale of 1-10:

Ergonomics

2005 FJR1300: 9 (sore ass after 5 hours)

2008 ZX14: 7 (knees too bent, but not bad)

Turbulence

2005 FJR1300: 9 (great cowling)

2008 ZX14: 5 (why did they even bother making the windshield clear?)

Low end torque

2005 FJR1300: 7 (good above 5k)

2008 ZX14: 9 (excellent above 3k)

Pure Petro Powered Ecstasy

2005 FJR1300: 7 (twist and shout)

2008 ZX14: 10 (twist and scream)

Zero to 60

2005 FJR1300: 7 (nice and fast)

2008 ZX14: 10 (holy spit, batman)

100-130

2005 FJR1300: 9

2008 ZX14: 10 pulling very hard

130-150

2005 FJR1300: 4

2008 ZX14: 10 still pulling very hard

>150

2005 FJR1300: TBD (maybe never)

2008 ZX14: TBD at the Texas Mile in October

Handling

2005 FJR1300: 8

2008 ZX14: 10 (look where you want to be and suddenly you are there)

Beauty

2005 FJR1300: 8 (best in blue)

2008 ZX14: 7 (strange fins, best in blue)



Huevos Heater

2005 FJR1300: 7 (with the heat fixes)

2008 ZX14: 7 (I guess all fire powered engines get warm)

Iron butt capable

2005 FJR1300: 9

2008 ZX14: 7 (I'm just guessing, because I haven't been more than 200 miles in a stretch)

Cargo capacity

2005 FJR1300: 7

2008 ZX14: 3 (as long as you wear a backpack)

Bang for the buck

2005 FJR1300: 7 ($10500 new if you shop)

2008 ZX14: 9 ($8500 new if you shop)

Cruiser strafing capability

2005 FJR1300: 7

2008 ZX14: 10 (what was that thing that just flew by, Jethro?)

Makes you feel 20 again

2005 FJR1300: 7

2008 ZX14: 10

Final Tally

2005 FJR1300: 114

2008 ZX14: 114 (which is why you need both)

Comparo pics coming this weekend.

 

[rammer9460]

Funny that I should find this post today. I was made an offer I couldn't refuse on an '09 Candy lime green ZX-14 and picked it up yesterday. The bike is PURE EVIL, scary fast and silky smooth.

 

[UselessPickles]

Low end torque 2005 FJR1300: 7 (good above 5k)

2008 ZX14: 9 (excellent above 3k)

Considering that 5k RPMs is just about right in the middle of the RPM range for the FJR, how can "above 5k" be considered for "low end torque"?

 

[Texan]

Low end torque 2005 FJR1300: 7 (good above 5k)

2008 ZX14: 9 (excellent above 3k)

Considering that 5k RPMs is just about right in the middle of the RPM range for the FJR, how can "above 5k" be considered for "low end torque"?

Hmmm. good point. Maybe the FJR should score lower for low end torque. The ZX14 redline is 12K so, when power starts to build at 3K I consider that low end.

 

[Texan]

Funny that I should find this post today. I was made an offer I couldn't refuse on an '09 Candy lime green ZX-14 and picked it up yesterday. The bike is PURE EVIL, scary fast and silky smooth.

The breaking is frustrating - bike wants to be let loose. I like that color - definately will get attention.

 

[Zorlac]

Pure Petro Powered Ecstasy

2005 FJR1300: 7 (twist and shout)

2008 ZX14: 10 (twist and scream)

OH baby, that was my exact impression when I demo'd one at Americade not long after they came out, getting on the short freeway run we took I was actually laughing out loud in my helmet as the front end started getting light when I cracked her in third getting ready to merge with traffic, a religious experience!

Final Tally

2005 FJR1300: 114

2008 ZX14: 114 (which is why you need both)

Thanks Glen, I need a larger shed and $8500 now. B)

 

[Wicked Webby]

Rammer,

Had the exact same color on my '00 ZX12R...

Definately a love/hate color.. No in-between.

Ride safe,

WW

 

[Fred W]

Low end torque 2005 FJR1300: 7 (good above 5k)

2008 ZX14: 9 (excellent above 3k)

Considering that 5k RPMs is just about right in the middle of the RPM range for the FJR, how can "above 5k" be considered for "low end torque"?

Hmmm. good point. Maybe the FJR should score lower for low end torque. The ZX14 redline is 12K so, when power starts to build at 3K I consider that low end.

Don't you have those rpm points reversed? In other words, the FJR should be good above 3k and the ZX excellent above 5k.

 

[Stephen]

You might have a problem with your ZX-14..........

My '08 is strong anywhere from 0 rpm to redline! :yahoo:

A truly religious experience. B)

 

[Texan]

The ZX14 redline is 12K so, when power starts to build at 3K I consider that low end.

Don't you have those rpm points reversed? In other words, the FJR should be good above 3k and the ZX excellent above 5k.

The 14 pulls very hard at low RPM - 3K or even a bit lower. With my FJR, you can definately feel the torque increase as you get near 5K. I love the FJR, but it's a noticeable difference between the two bikes.

You might have a problem with your ZX-14..........
My '08 is strong anywhere from 0 rpm to redline! :yahoo:

A truly religious experience. B)

Must be all that polishing you did to your bike. Maybe I gotta try some of that!

 

[bramfrank]

My experience with a stock 14 is that the FJR pulls better to about 5K and the 14 has it over the Feej above that.

I find the ZX14 to e very cramped, but almost butter smooth - same as the C14 in that respect.

Pulling the secondary butterflies on a ZX14 makes it a powerhouse from 2.5K onward, mind you and handling is 'better' in the sense that it has a lower center of gravity, but the FJR feels more neutral.

If touring, leave the ZX14 at home.

 

[Gramps]

Funny that I should find this post today. I was made an offer I couldn't refuse on an '09 Candy lime green ZX-14 and picked it up yesterday. The bike is PURE EVIL, scary fast and silky smooth.

So Erik did you trade in the Wing? She's a beauty...now you be careful not to piss off any of those good looking Wisconsin Sheriff types.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Very cool comparison. I'm not sure it's a real apples to apples comparison but, the FeeJ hung in there well. :yahoo:

Good job on the write up, thanks for sharing.

 

[FantasticJohnR]

Texan, I was coming home from my bluebonnet ride last Sunday and was behind a ZX-14 on 2222 heading back towards 620.

Now I am wondering- was that you? He turned right at 620 and I headed left...

 

[Texan]

Texan, I was coming home from my bluebonnet ride last Sunday and was behind a ZX-14 on 2222 heading back towards 620. The traffic was a bit congested and the ZX-14 and I had to change lanes back and forth to break free. We then came up to the hill- Tumbleweed hill- and the guy on the ZX-14 moved over to the right lane and slowed a bit and then began downshifting. I pulled up next to him to give a wave- he looked at me and then hit the throttle- it took me a couple secs to see he wanted a little race, I was still in 4th and just twisted the 'ole throttle; it only took me 1 sec to fly past this guy going up the hill- mostly because I am crazier than this guy.
Now I am wondering- was that you? He turned right at 620 and I headed left...

Racing on 2222? That is brave. Twasn't me. Racing on either bike would be a heart-stopper.

I hope we get some sunny weather tomorrow.

 

[Stephen]

Texan: I will agree with you that the FJR (an '04, in my case, with a kajillion farkles) is a very nice sports-touring bike with a very cool enphasis on "sports". Since I had my oil changed to full synthetic, a chassis tuneup and a engine tuneup, my feejer runs very 'nicely'....... however:

It is not even close to being the smooth powerhouse hyper-bike that the ZX-14 is (especially the '08 & '09 models). Yes, my ZX-14 puts out nearly 200hp at the shaft, but even a stock ZX-14 isn't chickenfeed.

I know what you you're trying to say, but wait until you have the bike broken in. Hang on, grip your thighs to the tank, lean forward and let 'er rip. Note: Do NOT attempt it on cold tyres. Very bad!

 

[Texan]

Here are the comparo pics.

Another observation about the ZX14. It feels electric. The torque is so instantaneous, it does not feel like any other internal combustion vehicle I have ever driven. Twist the throttle at any speed in any gear, and the bike instantaneously pulls forward. And it pulls hard.

If you're in Austin and we go riding together, take a spin on my bike and see what I mean. (but please don't drop it )

 

[Texan]

Another observation. The FJR is prone to speed warnings by the LEOs. But the ZX14 is not so lucky. Bandera County Constable stopped the ZX14 and said 87 in a 65. Time for defensive driving and note to self: do not forget the radar detector again!

 

[Stephen]

Another observation. The FJR is prone to speed warnings by the LEOs. But the ZX14 is not so lucky. Bandera County Constable stopped the ZX14 and said 87 in a 65. Time for defensive driving and note to self: do not forget the radar detector again!

Absolutely correctamoondo on all accounts! :yahoo: