Restricting a ZX-14?

Question

I'm 17 and I've never ridden a bike before, but I'm about to take the MSF course, and I want a ZX-14 for my first bike. I also dont want to die the first time I ride it. Is it possible to restrict a ZX-14 to about 70 mph?

Sheesh. Some of your answers have been harsh. But let me clear up some details:

1. I have enough money to buy the ZX-14 and pay for insurance.
2. I'm not really into speed I just want to ride that bike (I like the design). I'd have no problem restricting it to 30-40 mph, I just dont know what it will do to the engine.
3. I'm 6'1, 210 lbs (would that give me a leg up with saddle experience?)
4. I always planned to wear all the necessary gear when riding.
5. I want to actually restrict the bike, not just aviod shifting out of 1st gear.

Answer 1

wow you aren't kidding about these answers. kinda like swimming in shark infested waters!

the fact is the kawasaki zx-14 is not a starter bike. it's like learning to drive with a highly modified corvette zo-6 racecar or better. the zx-14 has earned the reputation as the worlds quickest motorcycle in the quarter mile. slightly modified bikes have run 1/4 et's in the 9.0's and 8.90's at around 160mph. think about it, 0-160 in under 9 seconds is crazy!!!

that being said it is also the friendliest motorcycle you will ever ride. a factory stock zx-14 has removable electronically controlled secondary restrictor butterflies that restrict hp/torque below 5500rpm. that makes this bike really easy to ride at low rpm's but watch out beyond that, it's like hitting a nitrous button because the bike will want to pull your arms out!!!

although most know of the kawasaki zx-14 ninja many have not ridden one. they think the bike is a beast because of the reputation of the hayabusa. those who have ridden it are sometimes disappointed with it's lack of low rpm grunt claiming most 600's and 750's feel better but nobody complains 7000rpm and beyond. you will get off the bike and head to the nearest kawi dealership to get your own.

whatever you decide on, be careful.

if you need more info try www.zx14.net the guys there are really cool!

Answer 2

you can restrict a ZX-14 to 70mph by never shifting out of 1st gear.
Other than that - OMG! Don't buy such a bike as your first! Really, I'm not kidding!
Get some cheap beater bike as your first bike, and learn how to ride. Trust me, the first time you crack the throttle hard, even on some old 750 sportbike, you'll have more than enough speed.
Let me put it to you this way - my first bike was a 1979 Yamaha XS-11 (1100cc). It (if I rode it hard enough) could do a 1/4 mile in 11.79sec. Know which production cars can do that?
NONE (except maybe that new $2million dollar thing from Bugatti)
And that, is a 1979 bike, my friend. The ZX-14 (or ZZR-14) can do a 1/4 mile in sub 10 seconds.
So do yourself, and everyone else on the street a favor. Get something smaller, cheaper and more disposable to ride. Or, buy the ZZR, I'll give you an old beater bike, and you give me the ZZR.

Answer 3

You may be able to change the sprockets so the engine revs same but wheel spins less, (slower) Smart move on MSF. Mastering the handling the bike isn't the end of it.

Sadly, what you need to learn is what to watch for in cars.
They cause ~66% of bike accidents. The threat of the high perfomance bikes is the speed you can come up to a car that hasn't made his attentions known, or has no clue as to what yours are! It's not your inability to handle it. Sure that's a factor, put rider error is around 10% of accidents. i just did a presentation of M/C safety at work, and the research/statistic blew me away.

The first few years is when you gain the skills at watching your surroundings. When the bike handling becomes natural, it lets your mind shift to watching the cars better.

Honestly, i have to agree with the rest. ZX-14 is not a good bike to start on. Like most here I went from 50cc->305->450->600->1000cc & stopped there. Spent about 40 days in hospitals during yrs 1-5, 90% was the cars fault but I was concentrating on the unfamiliar bike. 0 days years 6 to now.

good luck!
Wayne - Daytona Beach
M/C license since 1968!
www.naarden.biz

Answer 4

I really hope you're taking peoples advice here. You really couldn't pick a worse bike to learn on. Nobody here is trying to take the fun out of motorcycling for you. They're trying to help you survive long enough to enjoy that ZX-14 a few years down the road.

There's more to a bike than how 'mature' you can be while riding it. The first time you bobble the throttle you'll see what I'm saying. This bike wont tolerate bad inputs from the rider. And when you're learning, that happens a lot more than you'd believe right now. Take the MSF and ask the instructors what they think about you getting a ZX-14. They'll say the same thing everyone here is saying.

Answer 5

Yes, they have been harsh, but for a reason. They don't want you dead. My first bike was an old Honda CL360. At the time, it was about 14 years old, but since it had only 3600 miles, it was mechanically new. To compare that bike to a ZX-14 would be like comparing an old shetland pony to a thoroughbred racehorse. That old bike would stand up and take off! It's a wonder I didn't kill myself. Now, the 14, it's a whole different animal. Control inputs are very touchy. It will do things as fast as you can think it. To restrict an animal such as this would be like hobbling that racehorse. It's not the top speed that's an issue, but how fast things can happen. It's a lot easier to kill yourself at 45 mph in a curve than at 75 mph on the highway. You really would be better advised to go with something to learn your skill on, then go get the bike that can appreciate your skill.

Did you learn to swim by being dropped in the middle of the ocean? Probably not. Swimming pool and a class at the YMCA. There's a reason things are done in order. It keeps us (and you) alive.

Answer 6

Yes you can ride that bike if you want. The basic principles remain the same regardless if its capable of 186 MPH (which it is) or if it only can get to 70.
Practice is the key. Try to learn something from the MSF course, and don't be afraid to sign up for the advanced course in 6 months
Re read the MSF materials on a monthly basis and see if you are practicing what you were taught.
You may think the bike is cool, but there are faster bikes out there. Rocket III will get to 60 before you, and lots of custom bikes are quicker.
Ride safe and you will ride a long time

Answer 7

not trying to be harsh but it is a reality you will drop your bike when you first start riding don't wast your money on a zx-14 if you've never ridden. i dropped my first bike and i hate myself for it the scrach that's on it makes me want to buy a new bike everyday. start with 600cc and since it sounds like you have money trade it in after like 3 month if you just can't wait but man you need to gain some experience i've ridden a honda cbr1000 reacently and i started on a 600 and i couldn't beleive how powerful it was and your looking at the most powerful bike.
one wrong little twist on the throttle and you'll be on the ground
be smart everyone thats on here answereing your question is trying to keep you from getting hurt

Answer 8

Take heed to the most of the well written answers above. You need some riding experience before you climb on a bike of this type. When I was 16, I started out on a twin cylinder 200cc Yamaha and made many mistakes just learning how to handle one. No real injury's to myself, just the bike in dents, scratches, broken levers, mirrors, headlight, turn signals etc. It just takes time and practice on how to handle one. Even after learning to ride one, every time I changed bikes it would take me about 1 to 2 years riding it before it didn't give me any "surprises" and I really felt comfortable with handling it in every situation.

Answer 9

You need to buy a large trailer to secure the bike when it's not being ridden. When you do ride the bike tow the trailer behind the bike. To play it safe put Dad's Buick in the trailer while you're towing it. Yeah, that should restrict the speed.

Answer 10

Take it from a guy that has rode since he was 2.5, raced motocross for 10 years, and had a CBR900RR. Start on the dirt, on something like a XR 250, or something similar. Always wear your helmet, and gear, they make it for a reason. Also I can tell you right now, that you'll never pass the state required riding course on a sport bike, never having ridin one. Start out slow, be safe, and good luck.