Looking for opinions

[Sal Paradise]

TweetI've got a new bike in sight as the one I bought for the wife doesn't get used.
She doesn't ride it because she's too afraid and it's too damn small and uncomfortable for me. It hurts may back and hands go numb after 20-30 minutes.

I'm looking at a ZX-14.
The price is average, 9900 I think. It's a showroom new 2008.
The seating position seems very comfortable on my back - that the main reason I won't ride the other one much - it's a pain on my back and after two surguries that's of utmost importance.
It's also little 650 Suzuki cruiser style.

I've had two other bikes a 96' Suzuki Intruder 1400
and an older Yamaha 1100 - don't remember the year, etc but that was not a sport bike either.

I'm looking at this as I have no intention of racing or overly agressive riding, never have so the smaller bikes that handle better in curves and don't push isn't an appeal. Also the shorter wheel base kills my back with my feet up on the pegs add in the lower handle bars and it just won't do.

So I settled on this as about the best option thus far.

I also want to go with a sport bike because the position of my back is much flatter when seated and the cruiser style just hurts when I hit bumps in the road anymore. It seems a more natural and suitable position with my pelvis and low back - no more rounded back with the transfer of bump impact going right up through my tailbone into my lower back.

All that being said I know sh!t about sport bikes and this included.

I am told it's longer wheel base, heavier and will push if taken to hard in a corner. That's fine as I mentioned I don't ride agressively anyway. If I do it's open straight away and more top end stuff. Not twisties - I save that for car driving.

Also, I'm told the longer wheel base will keep the front end down more and wont rise much unless the cluth is popped.

Being a heavier bike is also a plus in my mind as I do like to travel and there would be a good of interstate travel - might even use it when traveling for work in the better months and i do a lot of traveling.

So if I could please impart on your wisdom and experience with this it would be a great help.

The thing I'm looking for is advise on any problems that may be unknown to me, general thoughts on sprots bikes vs. cruisers, etc. I know some of it is just preference but any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

I'm just wanting to get more info and this would be a large purchase for me but the other bike is just a waste of money right now and I really do enjoy being back on a bike after the past two are no longer around.


Thank you all in advance,
Sal

[mighty]

Tweetthe zx bikes have always been good in my opinion. ive had 3 bikes a cbr600, gsxr750, and gsxr1000 but im a suzuki man but i do really like the zx bikes. i think it would be a good buy my friend. let me know when you get it and you can let me try it out. lol

[TexSon]

Tweetsorry. my philopshy on bikes is simple - is it suicidal.

The most horsepower I can get at the rear wheel for the least amount of weight.

And that is why I drive a Yamaha R1.

185 top speed outta the box
140-160mph wheelies without effort

Note: not for the faint of heart

[Sal Paradise]

TweetI've been doing some reading online and everyone toutinghow powerful it is and fast and blah, blah, blah.

I know that and it's all fine and good - i just want a comfortable bike that can travel decent with a little bit of attitude and have fun doing it.

I'm sure everyone that has a sporty bike will test themselves once in a while, I think that's a given but I want some of the "professional reviews" I read to be about more than the "most powerful" or the "fastest production" kind of hype.

I do suppose that's a sellng feature being able to brag a bit....I'm sure I will too. LOL!!


Sal

[FUZO]

TweetGET A CRUISER THEN. A BIKE THAT HAS THE SPEED IF IT WANTS TO BUT SOMETHING VERY COMFORTABLY FOR YOU AND YOU CHICK WIFE OR WHAT EVER.I MYSELF I'M STILL A GSXR750 GUY AND I LOVE MY BIKE. ITS JUST RIGHT FOR ME IT FITS GOOD RIDES HOW I LIKE IT AND IF I WANT SPEED I HAVE IT IF I DONT THEN I JUST CRUISE.

[Sal Paradise]

TweetThanks FUZO -
That's kind of how I ended up where I'm at with the selection.
The smaller SS bikes just don't fit - I'm just too tight on them with my back.
The other bikes I've looked at have my sitting in a position that gets too much impact on my back.
When on this bike it just "FITS".
Legs are comfortable, my back is in a very nice position with a tiny bit of arch to it - like a good position for doing barbell rows.

I haven't seen anything else that seems to fit what it is I'm looking for and goldwings and stuff....forget about it.
Way too much $$ and I aint old...well that old - yet.

BAsed on what I've mentioned and what you know about the current bikes, do you have any other suggestions for some thign I should look into to??

THanks FUZO.


Sal

[TexSon]

TweetAll kidding aside, a bike has to fit you - period. It has got to be comfortable.


That is, unless it is an R1 - then it only needs to be scary fast.

Gotta say, though, the R1 is not a comfortable bike, but most of the time it doesn't matter because I am too fear stricken to notice anyway.

Inscription on the back of my helment, "Live thru this". Kinda my disclaimer for anyone stoopid enough to climb on that joke of a back seat and ride with me.

[deepsouth]

TweetWell I started off on dirtbikes and graduated into street bikes . I have ridden and owned Honda 650 Nighthawk-1100 Sabe/ Yamaha 650 and 750 Maxim and the last streeter I had was an 84 Honda Interceptor 1000- very fun bike to ride. I had a co-worker selling his Suzuki TL-1000 and I took it out for the weekened- let me tell ya I must be getting old. My wrist hurt from leaning over and my back wasn't much better- after about 30min on it- I was ready to get off. My Brother-N-Law stopped by with his new HD NightTrain and let me say this- OMFG- that was a very nice comfortable ride!!!!!! I loved the lower center of gravity and no lack of power. I honestly think I could have ridden all day with no problems. If I decide to buy another(the wife will kill me)- it will definately be the night train!

[horsepwr]

TweetFrom what you're saying Sal, it sounds like the bike for you. I can't ride a cruiser for long either because the bumps transfer right up my spine as you said. Yet on a sportbike, the shock is off of your back, as you mentioned. And, I'm just not a cruiser guy. I ride for different reasons. The bigger, "hyper-sport" bikes i.e. ZX-14, Busa... are definitely built more for comfort, cruising, and such. They are not track bikes. That's why you feel more comfy on one. The rider is positioned slightly more upright, but not so much as to put all the shock from bumps straight to your spine as does the true cruisers. It really sounds to me like you've found yourself a winner. If it feels good to you, and that's really what you're looking for, I say go for it. From your description of what you're after, the bigger "hyper" bike seems to make perfect sense for you. And you can still have fun on them. Just remember you have a couple hundred more pounds than sport bikes if you ever end up on a ride with some guys.

Have you sat on or ridden a Hayabusa? A friend of mine was right where you are. He wanted a more relaxed, comfy ride, and he settled on the '08 Busa. It is a world of difference than a true sportbike, as well, when it comes to riding position, triple tree, foots-pegs, the list goes on and on.

[Sal Paradise]

TweetThanks guys.

I was at another local shop today and looked at a few used units.
It's funny because depending on the sales guy (which in my opinion is a poor salesman) would show me stuff HE liked not necessarily what I was looking for.
I don't know but he was hype on the honda 954 - I think it's a more agressive bike than what I was looking for and the other guy was showing me HIS favorite which was a ST1300.

The first guy is a stunt rider and the other guy is close to 60 so it was obvious they were only pushing what they liked. At least it seemed that way to me.
Both very nice bikes but one is too racey and one is too touring.

But I am going to do a bit of checking about adding hard bags onto a ZX if possible.
The Concourse is a near winner but too much $$$ and I may still want something a bit more sporty for the majority of riding. I can pack an overnight bag on my back.

I wouldn't mind having something I could do an overnight on with a change of clothes and some camera equipment so an add on bag would be a huge plaus without having full touring package on it.

I like the place I first went to because the guy would listen to what I wanted for 30 mintues before he started popping me on bikes.
Then he woud show me the specific differences between them and why.


Thanks again for the input all.
I'll keep all posted.


Sal

[deepsouth]

Tweetdefinately climb on a Busa before making a decision- that is one nice bike and you can find some lightly used ones that have been stretched that are very sweet

[horsepwr]

TweetI do know there are soft saddle bags available, and then you have the tank pack for added storage. My buddy got those for his Busa. He bought the bike from some friend of his that has a bike shop in Chicago, and rode it back to the Gulf Coast. I'm sure the ZX-14, like the Busa, has about 5 times the trunk space of sportbikes as well.

Good luck with your shopping. I can't wait to see the pick.

[scotch_03rr]

Tweetthis might be the bike to look at like i suggested in the pm. this could meet all your needs and they are a blast to ride.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...QQcmdZViewItem

[mighty]

TweetSal have you checked the tree wheel bikes that are out now. 2 in front and 1 in back. they look sporty and very comfortable

[deepsouth]

Tweet

this might be the bike to look at like i suggested in the pm. this could meet all your needs and they are a blast to ride.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...QQcmdZViewItem

clean bike- but price is a bit high for the age to me- I used to ride an Interceptor- very nice bike- buy it now is high is what I mean