ZX14 LSL Bar Kit.... : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

MotorcycleFred · 10-08-2009, 03:13 PM

I turned my ZX14 into a 9 second touring bike today.....

I added Buell pegs last week and today I finished installing the LSL bar kit which consisted of a new upper triple clamp, longer braided brake lines, handlebars and a few other assorted goodies. The installation took a long time.....I took it to my friends shop where he has been bike wrenching for almost 30 years and we spent all day yesterday and several hours today getting it bolted on. There are tons of little details that needed to be worked out and the directions look as if they are "universal" at best. So being the first time either of us has attempted this job it took a little longer.

First ride report......this thing is as comfortable as my old ZRX1100/1200!!!

Its almost a straight up riding position now........wooooohoooooooo

The kit was about $449.00 and my discounted labor rate was a tad under $200.00 (thanks Steve)...

Was this worth the total cost of over $600.00? In my opinion...absolutely yes!!! I'm 45 years old and not as limber as yesterday......now I can ride all day with total comfort.......

Here are some before and after pictures at different angles......

louichie · 10-08-2009, 03:20 PM

s a c r a l i g e o u s

juicey69 · 10-08-2009, 03:53 PM

imo you should powder coated in black so it can still match the rocket

BULLDOG · 10-08-2009, 04:14 PM

Looks cool, not my cuppa cha but it is all down to the individual taste, i think it should feel different on the road now.

185EZ · 10-08-2009, 04:53 PM

I agree on the function but it definately needs powder coating or ???. It looks like old bike handlebars.

Metro · 10-08-2009, 04:58 PM

j/k , just stretch every morning and put those bars back down.

MotorcycleFred · 10-09-2009, 07:20 AM

WOW...

I never expected to hear this......

I'm not gonna change it back....nope...not going to happen....

At 6'7" tall this is the mod for me to be able to run 500 plus mile days and come home with that springtime fresh feeling.....

I do kind of wish the kit came black though.....

jollyroger · 10-09-2009, 07:43 AM

You mean,like this?......

One of the best upgrades I ever made to my baby!

BULLDOG · 10-09-2009, 07:53 AM

I forgot mate at 6'7" I can see this set up being way more beneficial to your riding posture and overal comfort too, I'm a midget compared to you 6"3" and i found the Heli risers to get me where i wanted to be on the bars, I'm still guessing your new setup might feel a bit odd at first though.
Keep us informed as to how you like them after a decent sized run please.
Color PC them RED hahaha.

2WheelWillie · 10-09-2009, 12:25 PM

Not my cup of tea, but I am not 6'7 either. SO I would have to agree with you on your choice, but def powder coat black. 2WW

185EZ · 10-09-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotorcycleFred

WOW...

I never expected to hear this......

I'm not gonna change it back....nope...not going to happen....

At 6'7" tall this is the mod for me to be able to run 500 plus mile days and come home with that springtime fresh feeling.....

I do kind of wish the kit came black though.....

When my wife rides with me, I add on an extra set of footpegs. Keeps her more comfortable and her heel doesn't hit the exhaust. A happy wife is a fun day of riding.
They take less than a minute to put both on and go in place of the exhaust hanger bolt. Everyone said they didn't look good BUT they worked and I still use them.
Glad the bars are working for you.

MotorcycleFred · 10-09-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185EZ

When my wife rides with me, I add on an extra set of footpegs. Keeps her more comfortable and her heel doesn't hit the exhaust. A happy wife is a fun day of riding.
They take less than a minute to put both on and go in place of the exhaust hanger bolt. Everyone said they didn't look good BUT they worked and I still use them.
Glad the bars are working for you.

My wife doesn't ride with me anymore......

She had a leg amputated so now she slides right off the bike......She wants me to buy a goldwing with the passenger armrests so she will feel secure. I told her that it wasn't my time to be a goldwing rider......

zaneyzrex · 10-09-2009, 05:21 PM

thats the only way i would own one of the chiropractors dream bikes .... gsxr1000 with that kit and id be in heavan !!! talk about LEVERAGE .... lol thats what every person thats rode my zrx said when they got back.....HOLY CRAP THAT THING TURNS!!!

OldPete2112 · 10-09-2009, 07:02 PM

Hey that looks like it was a LOT of work.

When are you putting the FLOORBOARDS on it??

Just kidding, so long as it works for you it is great. I am about 5-9, so no problem for me to tuck into this thing stock. Thinking about putting rear sets on it just because I can. My best friend is 7 foot 2 inch, so I understand the challenges of being tall without have to live with it everyday like you do. He does not ride, I think nothing really fit him except the Vstrom DL1000.

I would think that high speed days are over for the bike now, there is no way I could hold on to those handlebars are speeds over 120. I would bet that the airflow is so disrupted by the vertical position that it would actually be very dangerous to even try such high speeds with that seating position.

I know of some guys who figured out the hard way that changing to a ZX10 "shorty" front fender creates front end lift past 120/130. Kawasaki designs aircraft, and they should know a few things about aerodynamics, so changing things from stock can create some unwanted or unanticipated results. The wind tunnel these things for a reason.

As a member of the ST board, I can tell you that some police departments found out the hard way that adding a lot of equipment including top cases had resulted in a few fatalities because the handing characteristics of the bikes changes at high speeds with modifications.

Also the input on the bars will be completely different now, so please be very careful until you get used to it. Want to make sure we hear from you now and in the future.

OP

185EZ · 10-09-2009, 08:13 PM

So true, OP.

jollyroger · 10-10-2009, 10:39 AM

Ya,when I mentioned the lift action with mine with the zx10 fender-I got a major helping of ridicule.Didn't occur for me till I hit about 150.No thanks.Removed the zx10 fender the next day!LSL bars-just wonderful-ya-they take some getting used to(looks-wise),but handling and aerodynamic action is neutral.I've run my bike all the way up-no handling issues with the LSL's.Leverage is very good.I can do a full tuck and corner as good if not better with these on my bike.Mine are a bit different than MotorcycleFred's there.I've got "Superbike" high bars.Compared to the stock clipons(though it doesn't LOOK like it)the angle of sweep is virtually the same+4" rise,7" pullback,which makes for a nice cruise configuration.Quick steering is definitely NOT a problem with this kit.

MotorcycleFred · 10-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyroger

Ya,when I mentioned the lift action with mine with the zx10 fender-I got a major helping of ridicule.Didn't occur for me till I hit about 150.No thanks.Removed the zx10 fender the next day!LSL bars-just wonderful-ya-they take some getting used to(looks-wise),but handling and aerodynamic action is neutral.I've run my bike all the way up-no handling issues with the LSL's.Leverage is very good.I can do a full tuck and corner as good if not better with these on my bike.Mine are a bit different than MotorcycleFred's there.I've got "Superbike" high bars.Compared to the stock clipons(though it doesn't LOOK like it)the angle of sweep is virtually the same+4" rise,7" pullback,which makes for a nice cruise configuration.Quick steering is definitely NOT a problem with this kit.

I just returned from a 260 mile ride and my bike handles better then before with the LSL bar kit on.....I have way more control over the bike with the added leverage....had no problem running 150 mph whatsoever.....I now own one of the fastest sport touring machines in the world and can say for sure that this is the single best mod I have ever made on any bike I have owned. I let two of my buddies ride the bike also (they have both ridden it with the factory clip-ons) and they both agree that the bike is 100% better with the LSL bar kit.

Here are some pictures of todays ride.....

Oops.....forget about that last photo.....I just added that one for fun....

jollyroger · 10-10-2009, 10:21 PM

Great pics Fred.LSL's

...Now...if ya want to compliment yer LSL's there-the Buell peg mod is the next for ya.The XB12's.Part #N0006.1AD-$29.00 Silvereagle Harley-Davidson.(comes with right and left pegs).

MotorcycleFred · 10-10-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyroger

Great pics Fred.LSL's

...Now...if ya want to compliment yer LSL's there-the Buell peg mod is the next for ya.The XB12's.Part #N0006.1AD-$29.00 Silvereagle Harley-Davidson.(comes with right and left pegs).

I installed them two weeks ago...

BULLDOG · 10-11-2009, 07:49 AM

Good addition then fred, glad they suit your needs bro, love that last picture.