Why C14 instead of ZX-14?

[AZBob]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. Over the past month of motorcycle shoppin', readin' & dreamin' about 'em, my "likes" have progressed about once a week, evolving from the '13 FJR -> '12/'13 C14 -> '12/'13 ZX-14R -> to now ... . . . .. a '12/'13 Yamaha YZF R1 

Try to get a ride on it for about 30 minutes. The ergonomics on the R1 are, let's say, "race-ready."

Have you thought about a Honda CBR1000RR? It's a bit more comfortable than the R1, and has more low-end torque than the R1, so if you're not screaming around a track, it's actually a bit quicker around town. And those weird headlights on the R1 freak me out. :-)

[pistole]

- if you are keen on the sportsbike thing, but still would like something comfortable for a bit of the odd distance ride , maybe test the Kawa Z1000SX.

http://bikerholic.com/2010/10/07/2011-kawasaki-z1000sx-and-z1000sx-abs/

.

[Conniesaki]

Try to get a ride on it for about 30 minutes. The ergonomics on the R1 are, let's say, "race-ready."

I've ridden an R1. Yeah, it's racey for sure.

Have you thought about a Honda CBR1000RR? It's a bit more comfortable than the R1, and has more low-end torque than the R1, so if you're not screaming around a track, it's actually a bit quicker around town. And those weird headlights on the R1 freak me out. :-)

I love Honda's. The two CBR900's I had were designed & built to the same high quality standards that Honda cars are ... but the CBR1000RR has some things I just don't like. First, it's called a Fire Blade. That sounds so gay to me! HAHA! Seriously. "Fire Island" combined with "Zorro, the Gay Blade." Not good. Let's just say Honda's attempt at establishing a "Ninja"-like name is not working for me. Heck, I don't even like the name Ninja, but it's tolerable. And the front of the CBR, I dunno, looks kinda like a big ol' forehead to me. Just doesn't look as good as the YZF. Oh, & the half-cut low shorty tailpipe ... not for me.

[Conrad]

snip...

And the front of the CBR, I dunno, looks kinda like a big ol' forehead to me. Just doesn't look as good as the YZF. Oh, & the half-cut low sorty tailpipe ... not for me.

A big forehead! I know what you mean.   

But wait, now here's a big forehead.

[Mojoh]

OK, from the start! 1) 197x Honda XR70 as a ~8 y.o. boy  ; 2) 197x Kawasaki KV100 as a pre-teen; 3) 198x Honda CB125 at age 15 until age 16 when I could finally drive a car!  ; 4) 1993 Yamaha FZR600, awesome! but I really really wanted a Honda CBR900RR but was trying to be "reasonable"; 5) 1994 Honda CBR900RR, when I found I just could not live with the FZR knowing the big CBR existed, & kept this CBR for about 2 years then sold thinking I wouldn't miss it; 6) 1998 Honda CBR900RR when I discovered I did miss it, & kept this one for a 2-3 years not sure. So I've been away from bikes altogether since about 2000-2001.

All during that decade+ I never missed 'em. But ... then ... I ... started thinkin' ("a cheap used enduro might be fun! & easy!"). And lookin' ("Honda's XR650L would be good, very torquey!"). And thinkin' some more ("how much am I REALLY gonna ride offroad? Really prob never"). "Hmmm ... but something simple for the street might be fun again, maybe a used 600. But if some is good (600), more is better? So, maybe a 1000?? used, still could be fairly cheap. And might as well get something comfortable for long trips! Hey the FJR was always pretty striking. WOE $14K!! Ouch! Ah but I can get a leftover new one for quite a bit less, etc etc etc " ... then decided buying new means I don't have to deal with somebody's else problems & abuse they inflicted on the bike. I've never been too good at compromise 

There's prob a medical term for my affliction, but I can't think of it right now     Indecisivitis?

I know only I can make this decision - just laying out the facts in case anybody wants to read 'em. [/book]

This screams DL1000 V-Strom to me....

[Madcow]

First, it's called a Fire Blade. That sounds so gay to me! HAHA! Seriously. "Fire Island" combined with "Zorro, the Gay Blade." Not good.

Honda should have kept the "Hurricane" name for their sport bikes.

[stevewfl]

The Honda "Rebel" name I've always found interesting

[Rhino]

You meet the nicest people on a Honda 

[katata1100]

Really depends on what you'll do with it. If you don't have time to tour on it, I think a zx would be a better bike.  I mean, what's the point of having a big, sport tourer with saddle bags and comfort that can take you on 12 hour rides when you'll only ride it maybe 10 minutes to get sixpack at the store?

[daveyboy]

I too considered a ZX-14 before I bought my new C14 a few weeks ago.

As many have already noted, the factors that swayed me were:  comfort, insurance, and storage.  If money was no object, I would have both, but I knew that the novelty of having such a powerful bike would wear off after awhile, I would rarely use its speed capability, but I'd still be saddled with the high insurance payment.

I will probably only do minimal touring on my C14, but I really like the convenience of the hard bags.  I will ride much more since I can easily bring my gym clothes, lunch, protective gear, and other things to work.  I think my Z1000 will be relegated to the days when I KNOW I really don't need to carry anything.

[ZG]

Really depends on what you'll do with it. If you don't have time to tour on it, I think a zx would be a better bike.  I mean, what's the point of having a big, sport tourer with saddle bags and comfort that can take you on 12 hour rides when you'll only ride it maybe 10 minutes to get sixpack at the store?

I drink more then 6 beers in a sitting, hence why I bought the ZG instead of the ZX...