Bike Shopping (Well, Window Shopping)

jtemple · 07-20-2012, 03:55 PM

Next spring, I may buy a new bike. I'm beating up the Husky by racking up so many pavement miles on it, and I'd like to start doing some road trips again.

I'll be keeping the Husky.

I'll be buying new. I'll be keeping whatever it is I buy for a long time.

I want either a Hayabusa or a ZX-14R, but I'm not sure which.

I want hard bags; SW Motech racks w/Givi bags.

Hayabusa:

read a lot of complaints about brakes, but they're probably good enough for me
aftermarket is pretty unbelievable; they have everything
bags, bolt them on and go
no word on what's coming for 2013

ZX-14R:

better brakes than Hayabusa
traction control
hard bags require some ghetto exhaust modification and there are currently no plans for an update from SW Motech for racks that work off the shelf
exhaust I'm eyballing (Brock's Alienhead) should clear the bags, but points right at one of them - worried it might melt the bags
faster than the Hayabusa (unless Suzuki releases an update for 2013)
reading reports that frame sliders do more damage than good, breaking engine mounts off of the frame in a crash

I like both bikes, but of course the 14R excites me more, being the faster one of the two nowadays and with better brakes and traction control.

Discuss!

OneSickPsycho · 07-20-2012, 03:59 PM

Concours 14 will most likely be my next bike purchase.

shmike · 07-20-2012, 04:09 PM

I think per board rules, you have to purchase a BMW once you are over 30 years of age as evidenced by the upcoming posts from...

Trip: Buy a BMW GS, they do everything.

azoom: He doesn't need a GS, Trip but he should definitely buy a BMW. I have ridden every BMW ever made and it is the only bike that anyone should buy, ever.

Troy: I loved my BMW motorcycle. Now I have 17 BMW cars.

G-Rex: I've ridden to all 56 states and 9 other continents. My BMW is the best bike ever.

Trip · 07-20-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I think per board rules, you have to purchase a BMW once you are over 30 years of age as evidenced by the upcoming posts from...

Trip: Buy a BMW GS, they do everything.

azoom: He doesn't need a GS, Trip but he should definitely buy a BMW. I have ridden every BMW ever made and it is the only bike that anyone should buy, ever.

Troy: I loved my BMW motorcycle. Now I have 17 BMW cars.

G-Rex: I've ridden to all 56 states and 9 other continents. My BMW is the best bike ever.

This is awesome.

pauldun170 · 07-20-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I think per board rules, you have to purchase a BMW once you are over 30 years of age as evidenced by the upcoming posts from...

Trip: Buy a BMW GS, they do everything.

azoom: He doesn't need a GS, Trip but he should definitely buy a BMW. I have ridden every BMW ever made and it is the only bike that anyone should buy, ever.

Troy: I loved my BMW motorcycle. Now I have 17 BMW cars.

G-Rex: I've ridden to all 56 states and 9 other continents. My BMW is the best bike ever.

goof2 · 07-20-2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I think per board rules, you have to purchase a BMW once you are over 30 years of age as evidenced by the upcoming posts from...

Trip: Buy a BMW GS, they do everything.

azoom: He doesn't need a GS, Trip but he should definitely buy a BMW. I have ridden every BMW ever made and it is the only bike that anyone should buy, ever.

Troy: I loved my BMW motorcycle. Now I have 17 BMW cars.

G-Rex: I've ridden to all 56 states and 9 other continents. My BMW is the best bike ever.

Nicely done!

I agree with most of what's been posted about the speed issue. They are both faster than just about anything this side of a Veyron and there is about a hair of difference between the two. If you want to base your decision on telling people what it can do go off performance. If you want to base it on what you do with it use the other factors.

OneSickPsycho · 07-20-2012, 05:24 PM

I think it's Cortech that makes hard bags for the Busa that are color matched and follow the same lines of the 2nd gen tails... pretty fucking slick looking.

And you can always try out a set of Buell pegs on the cheap to drop them 1"... very common mod.

jtemple · 07-20-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

I think it's Cortech that makes hard bags for the Busa that are color matched and follow the same lines of the 2nd gen tails... pretty fucking slick looking.

And you can always try out a set of Buell pegs on the cheap to drop them 1"... very common mod.

That's Corbin. I looked into them (they make some for the previous gen 14 as well). They're ridiculously expensive ($1800), take some time to install/remove, and don't hold much.

jtemple · 07-20-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

I think per board rules, you have to purchase a BMW once you are over 30 years of age as evidenced by the upcoming posts from...

Trip: Buy a BMW GS, they do everything.

azoom: He doesn't need a GS, Trip but he should definitely buy a BMW. I have ridden every BMW ever made and it is the only bike that anyone should buy, ever.

Troy: I loved my BMW motorcycle. Now I have 17 BMW cars.

G-Rex: I've ridden to all 56 states and 9 other continents. My BMW is the best bike ever.

Priceless!

You guys are right about the power differences. It probably won't make a damn bit of difference to me in that regard.

From a modding standpoint (luggage & exhaust), the Hayabusa wins out, I think. There's no denying the vast number of addons available for it. I do dool over that new 14R though!

The 14R sits you more upright than the Hayabusa. The pegs are lower; the bars are higher. Probably not enough of a difference to matter, especially when you consider that higher bars and lower pegs are available for both bikes.

I may put bar risers on, but I'll probably leave the pegs as-is.

G-Rex · 07-20-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

Trip: Buy a BMW GS, they do everything.

azoom: He doesn't need a GS, Trip but he should definitely buy a BMW. I have ridden every BMW ever made and it is the only bike that anyone should buy, ever.

Troy: I loved my BMW motorcycle. Now I have 17 BMW cars.

G-Rex: I've ridden to all 56 states and 9 other continents. My BMW is the best bike ever.

This made me laugh. Well done!

I'll give you a bit of info based on my knowledge of the Busa, which spans 9 years and 72,000 miles.

1) The brakes work well enough. They should be better for the caliber of bike they are on. Pads and stainless lines would be a good upgrade, especially once you add 75 or 80 pounds for touring gear.

2) Givi would be a good bag. Stay away from Corbin's Beetle bags, they are useless. Not much storage and a small opening. Waste of money.

3) My Busa has no changes to the ergonomics (stock seat, stock clip-ons, stock footpegs) and the bike is comfortable enough for me to log 1000 mile days.

4) Mine has been 99.9% flawless in the maintenance department. I've had to give it one battery, tires, chain/sprockets, oil changes, and fuel. The ONLY non-regular maintenance item to fail on the bike so far has been the right side fork seal, and that gave out at 65,000 miles. Not bad if you ask me.

I love mine. I have zero complaints with it. It's an amazing motorcycle in many ways. If you want to know anything else hit me up.

07-20-2012, 03:55 PM	#1
jtemple Geek Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Papillion, Nebraska Moto: 2011 Husqvarna TE630 Posts: 1,437	Bike Shopping (Well, Window Shopping) Next spring, I may buy a new bike. I'm beating up the Husky by racking up so many pavement miles on it, and I'd like to start doing some road trips again. I'll be keeping the Husky. I'll be buying new. I'll be keeping whatever it is I buy for a long time. I want either a Hayabusa or a ZX-14R, but I'm not sure which. I want hard bags; SW Motech racks w/Givi bags. Hayabusa: read a lot of complaints about brakes, but they're probably good enough for me aftermarket is pretty unbelievable; they have everything bags, bolt them on and go no word on what's coming for 2013 ZX-14R: better brakes than Hayabusa traction control hard bags require some ghetto exhaust modification and there are currently no plans for an update from SW Motech for racks that work off the shelf exhaust I'm eyballing (Brock's Alienhead) should clear the bags, but points right at one of them - worried it might melt the bags faster than the Hayabusa (unless Suzuki releases an update for 2013) reading reports that frame sliders do more damage than good, breaking engine mounts off of the frame in a crash I like both bikes, but of course the 14R excites me more, being the faster one of the two nowadays and with better brakes and traction control. Discuss!

07-20-2012, 04:09 PM	#3
shmike Follower Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,549	I think per board rules, you have to purchase a BMW once you are over 30 years of age as evidenced by the upcoming posts from... Trip: Buy a BMW GS, they do everything. azoom: He doesn't need a GS, Trip but he should definitely buy a BMW. I have ridden every BMW ever made and it is the only bike that anyone should buy, ever. Troy: I loved my BMW motorcycle. Now I have 17 BMW cars. G-Rex: I've ridden to all 56 states and 9 other continents. My BMW is the best bike ever. __________________ Racing For Smiles

07-20-2012, 03:59 PM	#2
OneSickPsycho Ride Like an Asshole Join Date: Feb 2008 Moto: nothing... Posts: 11,254	Concours 14 will most likely be my next bike purchase.

07-20-2012, 05:24 PM	#7
OneSickPsycho Ride Like an Asshole Join Date: Feb 2008 Moto: nothing... Posts: 11,254	I think it's Cortech that makes hard bags for the Busa that are color matched and follow the same lines of the 2nd gen tails... pretty fucking slick looking. And you can always try out a set of Buell pegs on the cheap to drop them 1"... very common mod.