Something Followed Me Home : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

cjd223 · 10-10-2009, 05:10 AM

Well I drove up to north Alabama yesterday afternoon with intentions of buying a very low mile (1280) '07 Yamaha FZ1. Had cashiers check in hand. I test rode the FZ and decided that I did not like the feel of the bike - no where near as nice as my '08 Bandit. As I was getting ready to leave the salesman asked if there was any other bike I was interested in. I jokingly mentioned the '08 ZX14 I noticed sitting in a corner. It had 1428 miles on it.
He said their dealership really did not like to stock used sport bikes. The original owner had traded it in on a cruiser. They had tons of dirt bikes, 4 wheelers and cruisers.
Bottom line - I paid $1500 more for the '08 ZX14 than the already ridiculously low price I was going to pay for the '07 FZ1. I am a happy camper!!!
The only thing missing is the owner's manual. Is there somewhere I can download one on the net?

juicey69 · 10-10-2009, 05:23 AM

congrats!!!

mad · 10-10-2009, 05:41 AM

Nice! You'll love it. When you change tires go to a 190/55 rear. Better turn in, ground clearance for max lean...and a more accurate speedo.

Poky · 10-10-2009, 06:37 AM

Man, there is a world, what am I saying, a universe of difference between a Bandit and a 14. (Rode them both.)

Just be totally careful about the power of your new beast and please, please, play it cool for the first few weeks.

I was in the same situation a little more than 2 months ago and I've been friendly advised by the few guys from the dealership who got to ride my 14 to be really, really "gentle" for the first month.

Am I glad I listened because NOW, I know what there were talking about :

I would also like to put my hands on the owner's manual. Haven't found anything about it on the Net. The absolutely necessary service manual is easily available though (and I only found out about a free version after I've paid $25 to get it from some site out there).

Anyway, be safe, we all want you to be around in one piece for a long time.

185EZ · 10-10-2009, 06:47 AM

Congrats! You'll love it.
I have a manual but I'm having a hard time posting it. If you want to pm me your e-mail address, I'll send it that way

BULLDOG · 10-10-2009, 07:02 AM

Well maybe someone was looking down on you
that day brother.

**Shifty1** · 10-10-2009, 07:19 AM

Congrats on the purchase.

If I were you, I would just get the Service Manual. Everything in the Owner's Manual is in the Service Manual.

185EZ · 10-10-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty1

Congrats on the purchase.

If I were you, I would just get the Service Manual. Everything in the Owner's Manual is in the Service Manual.

Actually that's what i just sent him. I didn't think he would mind all the extra info.

OldPete2112 · 10-10-2009, 08:09 AM

Congrats and welcome to the board. Sometimes that is just how it happens.

Please take the advice of the others, and be VERY careful, this bike behaves like no other out there, it is one BEAST, and we all love our beasts, we just need to learn how to control them.

Only one other thing to add:

without pics! Post up some photos of yourself with your new 14!

OP

Rock · 10-10-2009, 09:13 AM

[quote=OldPete2112;204230]Congrats and welcome to the board. Sometimes that is just how it happens.

Please take the advice of the others, and be VERY careful, this bike behaves like no other out there, it is one BEAST, and we all love our beasts, we just need to learn how to control them.

Yes, welcome to the forum and get to know your ride before you grab too much throttle. The 14 is very docile on the low side...but be very wary of the "dark" side of this monster. The front brakes are very unforgiving if you grab them while on anything other than concrete and asphalt...leaves, pine straw, and sand will leave you second guessing what went wrong! Enjoy! Rock

SredZx6r · 10-10-2009, 09:31 AM

Nice purchase...

(insert this thread is worthless without pics smilie)...

Flyingwarrior · 10-10-2009, 09:50 AM

congrats get them pics up though

jollyroger · 10-10-2009, 11:19 AM

Yer gonna LOVE it!Congrats on that!

bdruggan10R · 10-10-2009, 11:31 AM

You did a good thing! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

2WheelWillie · 10-10-2009, 01:35 PM

Welcome to your new addiction. Ride safe, ride responsibly and keep her shinny side up. 2WW

cjd223 · 10-10-2009, 02:17 PM

I will get some pics up soon. Thanks for the warnings, but I am a very cautious rider. I learned a long time ago that cars and bikes only go as fast as you want them to. A couple of my cruiser buds kind of laugh at me when we go for a casual cruise. They are riding in blue jeans, tee shirts and half helmets. I just shake my head at them. I ride with armored leather jacket, leather pants, boots, full face helmet and race gloves.
I did a low side crash at Talladega, when I was young and invincible, diving into the infield at over 120 mph on a TD1C - thank you Bates! Bike was toast, but no harm to me. Those things tend to stick in your memory.
I really like the way you sit on this bike - not too leaned over. I plan on adding some bar risers and a taller windscreen. It appears that the ZG Touring is the ticket for a little more wind protection. Is there a better option?

185EZ · 10-10-2009, 02:57 PM

To the guys who wanted the manual, it seems to be too large to send. That's why I couldn't post it in the forums.
Shifty, I need your help.

185EZ · 10-10-2009, 03:04 PM

Try this, just click on "free user"
http://rapidshare.com/files/18900708...ice_Manual.pdf

cjd223 · 10-10-2009, 03:13 PM

I could not get that link to work.

185EZ · 10-10-2009, 03:16 PM

I found the thread.
Hope this works.
http://www.zxforums.com/forums/servi...nual-free.html