2008 ZX-14 - Issues & Problems

Hi, I'm currently in the market for a second hand ZX14 - Love the Silver, but they were only made in 2008. However the black is growing on me, so will be looking for an 08' - 11'. I've been looking around for a bigger tourer being 6'4", and it seems the ZX14 is the only option that looks any good!

Sprint ST - GT - No Leg room
Aprilia RST - good - Too old to upgrade to.
Ducati ST - No leg room.
BMW K1300s - Too expensive.
Hayabusa - good - but ugly.

All of the rest look ugly or are too slow when you hit the twisties. I've got my SV1000s for sale and once she's sold, will be going for test rides.

I've been surfing the forums looking for issues that ZX-14's have had and the tell tale signs of what to look for when buying a second hand 14. So far I've come up with the following;
- Check for oil leaks around head gasket.
- Engine heat - around 1/2 bars for highway, 3/4 for around town at normal air temperatures - Head gasket problems resulting in overheating.
- knocking / grinding sounds from engine at low speeds.
- fuel economy around 13Km/l - 18Km/l for normal around town - highway.
- Colour of oil - black within 1000k's of riding after oil change - means rings are stuffed.
- Check the air box for oil.
- Loose bolts - easy fix.

I've read that the 06'-07' models have had recalls with cracked frames & engine failures, however only on the US forums. has anyone with a AU bike had either of these happen?

Can anyone add to that list, or let me know of any problems you've had?

There as tuff as nails dude. They don't even run on fuel. They run on crushed bricks.

ive got an 07 in blue< on a 30+ day will look like its overheating but its not , they run hot 1400ccs!!!! nature of the beast!! they also tend to chew rear tyres! got 3000kms from rear pilot pure again nature of the beast!! apart from that its the best bike I've ever owned!! and I've owned a lot!hope this helps ps my wife loves the rear seat.

ive got an 07 in blue< on a 30+ day will look like its overheating but its not , they run hot 1400ccs!!!! nature of the beast!! they also tend to chew rear tyres! got 3000kms from rear pilot pure again nature of the beast!! apart from that its the best bike I've ever owned!! and I've owned a lot!hope this helps ps my wife loves the rear seat.

They are a heavy bike, try a harder rear tyre than a pilot pure.

Road 3 or road 2?

You are running supersport/super bike rubber in a hyper tourer

ive got an 07 in blue< on a 30+ day will look like its overheating but its not , they run hot 1400ccs!!!! nature of the beast!! they also tend to chew rear tyres! got 3000kms from rear pilot pure again nature of the beast!! apart from that its the best bike I've ever owned!! and I've owned a lot!hope this helps ps my wife loves the rear seat.

They are a heavy bike, try a harder rear tyre than a pilot pure.

Road 3 or road 2?

You are running supersport/super bike rubber in a hyper tourer

and on top of that, the pure's are, how u say it.. crap

I think they are an 'acquired taste'

Issues and Problems?
Let's see....anything but black is shit!

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of course there could be bias in my comment

I think they are an 'acquired taste'

there prob ok on a lighter bike, say a 6 or something, tried them on the 7, never again, and im a mitchy fan

u should also look at a zx12 04 and up great bikes for big blokes .

I found the ZX14 to have no leg room. I would suggest looking at a ZX12 rather than the 14 too.

I have a 2006 ZX12R up for sale.

And they dont have any manufacturers issues that I am aware of after 2002

Anyway, I haven't had a ZX14 pass me yet

Last edited by Jonno on Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Don't listen to these idiots
Black 14 yeah , yeah, yeah!!!!!!

Lets see now, goes better, stops better, uses less fuel, still goes round corners, more/better pillion room, more comfortable than a ZX12r. What more is there to say???



Fred

I found the ZX14 to have no leg room. I would suggest looking at a ZX12 rather than the 14 too.

I'm 6'4" ......whatyatalkinboutwillis?

I found the ZX14 to have no leg room. I would suggest looking at a ZX12 rather than the 14 too.

I'm 6'4" ......whatyatalkinboutwillis?

I'm 6' and the ZX14 doesn't have enough leg room for me, much less anyone taller. The seat is waaaay too low. I can't imagine someone 6'4" being able to fit on one comfortably. The 12 has a higher seat height and a longer reach to the bars than the 14, which is why I made the suggestion.