Torn between 2 bikes - ZX14R and BMW S1000RR

[zx996]

I can't get my gen1 to stop wheeling in the first 2 gears at -1 and the flies out.can just imagine the new beast.

[chuck a]

14 all the way

[Powergroove75]

two completely different bikes made for completely different uses.

I'd say if you've got a bunch of straight lines and you want that "pull your arms out of their sockets" feeling... get the 14. But if you EVER have the intention of getting in a trackday or hitting up twisties... get a ZX-10... er uh... wait... you said BMW.

[chuckus]

Originally Posted by Powergroove75

two completely different bikes made for completely different uses.

I'd say if you've got a bunch of straight lines and you want that "pull your arms out of their sockets" feeling... get the 14. But if you EVER have the intention of getting in a trackday or hitting up twisties... get a ZX-10... er uh... wait... you said BMW.

I'm with PG..............why mess with a Beemer, get a 10........if your that set on twisties.........I'd take a 10R over a Beemer anyday, though my next bike (next summer) will be a ZX-14 without question.......

Just my $0.02

[rrzxter]

Originally Posted by TheGunCollector

In this region it's mostly straight roads and hardly any tight twisties. We do have some decent curvy sections, but they are higher speeds, and the risks are great - usually a cliff or armco rail. There is quite a bit of long, straight roads out of the valley here to get "anywhere".

This is a ZX14, all day long.

Originally Posted by TheGunCollector

There is also a slight
possibility of doing some track days at Miller Motorsports Park. I raced from 1995-2000, so the track environment isn't all that unfamiliar to me.
More than likely, the bike will be for spontaneous jaunts of a few hours or less. With a business, wife, house and newborn, I don't have the free time to go on epic multi-day rides. I'd like to get the wife on the back ( ZX would be better I guess in this situation), but there is a chance that she will not be interested in it, or we just won't be able to both get enough free time to take off together. I also have a KTM 950 Adventure as a two -up mount.

If you will be pressed for riding time, you will be pressed to start a new track habit.
Also, the 14 will be a lot nicer for 2-up than the KTM.

Originally Posted by TheGunCollector

I want something exciting, but also comfortable and nice looking. I'm 145lbs, so the weight of the big ZX worries me.

Again, the 14.
It is a bit heavy, but the seat is lower than a track bike and really not hard to maneuver when standing still. It's balanced nicely and once moving, it feels light as a feather.

Originally Posted by TheGunCollector

BMW S1000RR is the ultimate race bike for the street.

That's an oxymoron

Originally Posted by TheGunCollector

What would you buy?

If I was 10 yrs younger and didn't have 3 kids to support and could afford a track habit?....... I would have a new litre bike or even a 600.
I actually did have a 600 for 3 yrs and my intention was to start a track habit.
Life didn't allow me to, so, it ended up being my daily commuter.
I loved it, but wish I woulda got a 14, looking back.
In my honest opinion, I think you would love either bike.
But, considering your situation and what you really want out of a bike and being realistic and thinking long-term, I think you would be happier with the 14.
See if you can manage some test rides.

[1000RR]

They've pretty much covered it... very different bikes for different purposes although there is some overlap. A buddy of mine rides a ZX-14 and I'm on an S1000RR, we both enjoy the twisties, but I'll leave him in them. Now, no one here take offense, but on the top, the S1 kicked the ZX-14's butt. This was an '06 ZX-14 and I had my GoPro going (pointing backwards) watching it. Can post it if ya want, but don't think it's the prudent thing to do in this company

Anyway, he loves his ZX for the comfort. If you get to Denver and you decide you want an S1, PM me, I've got my 2010 up for sale right now although I may have a pending sale (will know today). I spend too much time at the track, so not enough time to ride on the street (and the S1 was my street machine). It is loaded up with about everything you could imagine from full Akra, to PCV to AutoTuner, to Carbon Fiber, to rearsets, heated grips, and the list goes on and is VERY deep. Plus I'm just South of you.

Anyway, good luck with your search. It's hard to go wrong with either bike as long as you are buying it with the intent and advantages that particular bike offers.

[rrzxter]

What kind of bike do you ride on the track?

[1000RR]

Originally Posted by rrzxter

What kind of bike do you ride on the track?

Just picked up AMA rider Taylor Knapp's '09 ZX6R. Prior to that, I was running a couple R6's.

[rrzxter]

Originally Posted by TheGunCollector

What would you buy?

Honestly, I think you should buy a 14, sell the KTM and get a used ZX6R for when/if you wanna do track days. Maybe even an R6.
You will have everything covered with those 2 bikes and be under the cost of the BMW and keeping the KTM.
Just a thought.

[185EZ]

Very true, indeed.^^^^

[preybird1]

those beemer's came out before the ZX14r there is no side by side test.
I raced one of those beemer's up the canyons and smoked it like a stale cigarette. My ZX10R is faster and i proved it when i passed the beemer at 168 mph and shifted into 6th gear. I would like to see one of those beemer's do a 9 second 1\4 mile stock no mods!

[rrzxter]

Originally Posted by clarkmanning

Buy the beemer.
You are still interested in corner carving.

Originally Posted by mad

S1000RR: Better for twisties ridden solo.

They ALMOST fill two different niches to me. 14 for street and 1000 for track and THEN we're talking.

Originally Posted by Powergroove75

two completely different bikes made for completely different uses.

I'd say if you've got a bunch of straight lines and you want that "pull your arms out of their sockets" feeling... get the 14. But if you EVER have the intention of getting in a trackday or hitting up twisties... get a ZX-10... er uh... wait... you said BMW.

Originally Posted by TheGunCollector

My situation:

In this region it's mostly straight roads and hardly any tight twisties. We do have some decent curvy sections, but they are higher speeds, and the risks are great - usually a cliff or armco rail. There is quite a bit of long, straight roads out of the valley here to get "anywhere". There is also a slight possibility of doing some track days at Miller Motorsports Park.

More than likely, the bike will be for spontaneous jaunts of a few hours or less. With a business, wife, house and newborn, I don't have the free time....

Why are you guys telling him to get a track bike?
There are no twisties where he lives.
He will barely have time to ride for more than a few hours at a time,
why does he need a $17k track bike for riding at a track in another state,
that there is only a SLIGHT chance he will even go to?
I don't think he meant, what bike do YOU want....but,
what bike would you get, if you were in HIS situation?

[1000RR]

Originally Posted by preybird1

I would like to see one of those beemer's do a 9 second 1\4 mile stock no mods!

The S1's are already running 9's stock, been doing it for 2yrs now. The following was done w/an exhaust and PCV and the bike lowered (not much in the way of mods, but still some). His best before he stretched was a 9.3. He stretched it 6" and is now doing high 8's.

The new ZX14 looks like it should put down some good times for sure! And with the displacement, hands down that thing is gonna rock with a little work done to it!!!

[zx996]

I drag raced one of those beemmers a couple of times.I was alway a couple tents quicker but he always trapped 2mph higher. They are top end bikes,midrange Rollins aren't even close 14 is gone.i don't care if it passes me at 160mph.the new 14r is close to 30hp stronger than old one.don't think I would worry about being passed bye beemmer on one.

[1000RR]

Yep, the new 14 should perform VERY well

[zx9rmal]

Originally Posted by preybird1

those beemer's came out before the ZX14r there is no side by side test.
I raced one of those beemer's up the canyons and smoked it like a stale cigarette. My ZX10R is faster and i proved it when i passed the beemer at 168 mph and shifted into 6th gear. I would like to see one of those beemer's do a 9 second 1\4 mile stock no mods!

Check some of the mag road tests for the 2010 model. You'll see 9's.

[TheGunCollector]

Originally Posted by rrzxter

This is a ZX14, all day long.


If you will be pressed for riding time, you will be pressed to start a new track habit.
Also, the 14 will be a lot nicer for 2-up than the KTM.

Again, the 14.
It is a bit heavy, but the seat is lower than a track bike and really not hard to maneuver when standing still. It's balanced nicely and once moving, it feels light as a feather.

That's an oxymoron



If I was 10 yrs younger and didn't have 3 kids to support and could afford a track habit?....... I would have a new litre bike or even a 600.
I actually did have a 600 for 3 yrs and my intention was to start a track habit.
Life didn't allow me to, so, it ended up being my daily commuter.
I loved it, but wish I woulda got a 14, looking back.
In my honest opinion, I think you would love either bike.
But, considering your situation and what you really want out of a bike and being realistic and thinking long-term, I think you would be happier with the 14.
See if you can manage some test rides.

Thanks for your advice.

You're probably right that I just don't have the time, or the opportunity to get away for 2-3 days to do a track day. Plus, the $1K between tires, entry, fuel, lodging, etc can certainly be spent better elsewhere. With that said, I still wouldn't mind attempting to make a track day, whether on the 14 or with the Bimmer.

I have the KTM mainly for exploring dirt roads out here in Colorado. There are more miles if dirt roads than paved, the the KTM Adventure owns in this category. The fact that it can do 2-up is merely a bonus.

Like you said, I'll enjoy either bike. $4k more for the Bimmer, when I'm not going to exploit it on the track or in the twisties, seems rather foolish now that I type it. I still like the bike - from the looks to the specs.

The ZX, well, I didn't really find it all that nice looking to begin with, but the green is certainly growing on me. I was over at Brocks website, and seems like some guys are getting over 200hp out of these things. That's just amazing. Me, at 145, doubt I'll need much more power than these bikes make stock, but like many, usually just cant leave well enough alone.

[clarkmanning]

Originally Posted by rrzxter

Why are you guys telling him to get a track bike?
There are no twisties where he lives.
He will barely have time to ride for more than a few hours at a time,
why does he need a $17k track bike for riding at a track in another state,
that there is only a SLIGHT chance he will even go to?
I don't think he meant, what bike do YOU want....but,
what bike would you get, if you were in HIS situation?

The s1000R is not a track only bike. you will see more 600s at the track than 1000s. your 600 was a track bike. Didn't you enjoy riding on the street? my reasoning was he had another bike to ride 2-up. he's only going to go out riding for a couple hours at a time. He used to be a racer so he really likes high lean angles, fast transitions, good braking and acceleration. At 560+ lbs. wet, the 14 is a monster with acceleration and super smooth and comfortable, but not as good at the literbike in performance. He's concerned with the weight of the bike. He never said his height, but the seat height of the 14 is a little lower than the typical literbike. I think more than half of the riders I've known with 14s have lowered them; some have stretched them a little too. It just makes the bike more civilized.

The '12 14 is a little heavier and has an even bigger motor. It looks like kawi is really out to dominate the dragstrip here. The '12 beemer has also been redesigned. the electronics are better, the bike is a little lighter and narrower. The complaints from previous riders have been addressed. I have to admit I've never seen a rider smaller in stature riding a 14. These riders have been on Busas, 600s or 750s, sometimes on a literbike.

i read the post to mean what bike would I buy if I were him in his situation with his backround and priorities. Seems to me, he just wants to buy an escape machine. You know, just go out by yourself and forget about the world for awhile. Recharge the batteries. A rider could do this on either bike, actually any bike for that matter.

[zx9rmal]

Originally Posted by TheGunCollector

Thanks. Found the link over there.

Sent you PM.

[TheGunCollector]

Originally Posted by zx996

I drag raced one of those beemmers a couple of times.I was alway a couple tents quicker but he always trapped 2mph higher. They are top end bikes,midrange Rollins aren't even close 14 is gone.i don't care if it passes me at 160mph.the new 14r is close to 30hp stronger than old one.don't think I would worry about being passed bye beemmer on one.

That's what I keep saying to myself. I've been seeing the 2012 ZX's dyno at 190+, and some 200+ with tuning. I know the prior gens were much less it appears.

Not sure what the Bimmers are truely dynoing, but I recall seeing 180's. My issue with the Bimmer, after looking at various dyno sheets, is that it makes it's torque at 8,000rpms+, and then it's what, 80-something lb/ft?

I mean, are these dyno numbers on the 2012 ZX that I've seen around different forums pretty accurate? 190-ish RWHP and 115-ish lb/ft torque? I know I'll have less for being at altitude, but we all suffer, so that is a non issue.