Was a lurker for awhile and here I am! Thought about getting a 14 a few years ago, passed on the option after they sold the one I wanted, and admittedly had a test ride on an Aprilia Tuono V4R, now I am ready to get out of Italy and on a 14. Looking at a couple different options but hope I will be riding one very soon!

Welcome spiff and good luck! You won't regret it!

Go for it!

Been there, done that. "Just do it and don't look back". That statement is what a co-worker told me in the spring of 2015. Minutes later I was on the phone finalizing financing a 2015 and I have not regretted it since. First bike ever owned and last time I rode one was in 1980 and it was a Kawasaki Z-400 LTD. I was so intimidated by the 14 that I rented a U-Haul to get it home from the dealer. Come to find out that there were no tie down anchors to properly secure the bike so the dealer delivered it at no charge.
23,000 miles later and I have NOT looked back. Just do it man!

Thanks for the welcome, waiting on the dealer to get back to me with what they want to offer me on my Aprilia. Most dealers out here don't sell them so it's been a chore. Also diligently looking at exhaust to see what I want to get. Money will be tight after the purchase but hopefully I can swing something. Kind of liking the look of the dual system, however, I got used to my full system on my Aprilia, wonder if I will miss it if I go with slip on's? Not looking to break the bank on Brocks, although they look nice, I have no intention of taking this bike to a track or strip. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

* Last updated by: CaptaiSpiff on 2/21/2017 @ 3:13 AM *

M4 retro drag if you go with slipons

I'd wait and get a full system Brocks or Akrapovich

Get a full system from Brocks like Rook says. Go to ZX1441R.com and get ahold of Lee Pritchard - Smokinzx14- he'll set you up with a Brocks exhaust at a great price. That's what I did a couple of years ago.

both M4 and Brocks are superb. Had the M4 for a bit then switched to the Brocks system and totally loving them. Fit, finish quality and sound are insanely EPIC !

Bike I am looking at is a 14, matte black and red, with 181 miles. Question I have is, what is break in like on these bikes? I know with the Italian I own currently break in was kind of specific, but on my older jap bikes it wasn't too bad. Any chance of this 14 having sat for too long with that low of miles and screwed the engine up? Thanks. Kawasaki newbie here :)

Kawasaki break-in is 600 miles 4000 rpm tops, change oil at 600 mile service. Next 400 max 6000 rpm. Break in debate is as old and contreversial as ever... those that say it matters and those that say it don't. I followed the traditional break in, and have no regrets.

Why does the bike only have 180 miles on it? Does wear and tear reflect 180 miles? Do the tires still basically look like brand new tread? Are the tires scuffed to the edge or is there still 3" chicken strips? Do brake rotors still look brand new? Any scrapes on the lowers or touch down sensors (balls on the bottom of the pegs)?

About the only thing you can do is try to assess the bike's condition and owner. Does it still have break in oil? Was the bike broke in with some "rapid" method? If you can figure out the break in method, it's just up to you at that point to say it matters or it doesn't. IMO evidence supports rapid break-in may cause more issues as the bike ages/mileage, with issues appearing as little as 20k miles.

What's probably more important, at the immediate time, is how the bike was stored. Was the oil changed for storage? Was the bike put away with ethanol fuel? Hydraulic fluids should've been flushed too.

What year was that mat black? I don't remember there ever being matt black and red? Custom fairings + 181 miles = dropped. If it's passion red/semi-gloss black lowers and foremans, that's a 2006. First year. Good bike but I would definitely want to see it get started when cold.

Either way, that's a lowball. If it seems as though it was meticulously stored and starts good, it's probably like new. I'd offer 4k. If something is wrong, it's fixable.

You can break in how you want. I've done it both ways and I don't think there is any noticeable difference.

It's the matte black with red fins on the side. It's a 2014. An older gentlemen, the dealership told me in his 60's, purchased it for him and his wife and his wife hated it, so he traded it in on a new Indian. Was purchased brand new last year is what they are telling me. After talking to the dealership they say they start it weekly to let the fluids cycle through it and to not let the fuel sit in it. Picture for Rook :) I do have to say you guys are some of the friendliest bunch I have found on motorcycle forums.

* Last updated by: CaptaiSpiff on 3/12/2017 @ 3:03 PM *

That Foreman is not a matching part to that color scheme. possible it was replaced because it was dropped or maybe the guy just liked red fins. I'd say unlikely that he did much personalization with only 800 miles. The lowers would be damaged too if it got dropped. A dropped bike is no big deal to me if it's used. It is a good angle to take advantage of for bargaining though. All of the fairings look like they fit well. The small gap between the foreman and the fuel tank cover was normal for the gen1. If you can look at a brand new Gen 2 and see no dif in the fairing fitment, I'd be satisfied it was undamaged if it was in fact dropped. Look underneath the RH muffler for signs of a drop.

If this is being sold by a dealership, you won't get it for $3000. they are probably asking $10k. Personally i would just buy an unused one for 12K instead. I'd offer $7000-maybe 8 if they throw in a tire change. Tires probably have no wear on them but they are three years old. I would say you have reason to expect the rims to have not a scratch on them after the tire change. $9000 is too close to the cost of a new 14.

Everything I am seeing online says that was a stock color option for the 2014 model. I will get a Vin # and do some checking. Brocks Street Meg exhaust, how is it?

US '14 were metallic black (MSB) and metalic green (GBG) or sunburnt orange. That might be SE paint for '14s.

Brocks Street Meg exhaust, how is it?

The fact it has an aftermarket pipe is further evidence it was dropped in the driveway. Probablt was. No big deal. Used bike. I dropped my busa twice. If all fairings fit right, no harm. But bring on the hurt when you negotiate. If this bike is selling for 10K like I think it probably is, you might as well buy a brand new unmolested one...as unmolested as 800 miles is, used has got to be cheap or it isn't worth your time. buy an old Gen1 for 3000 if you want to go cheap. Mine runs like a mutha'fer and it has 49000 miles on it.

The bike has not been dropped. It also is completely stock except the zero gravity windshield on it. I am not sure if it is listed as SE, but here in the states they offered three color choices in 14, green and black, orange and black, and flat ebony and ebony, or the red you see above. Here is a spec sheet I found...

2014 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS Specifications

Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valve per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement: 1,441cc
Bore x stroke: 84.0 x 65.0mm
Compression ratio: 12.3:1
Fuel injection: DFI® with four 44mm Mikuni throttle bodies
Ignition: TCBI with Digital Advance
Transmission: Six-speed
Final drive: X-Ring chain
Rake / trail: 23 degrees / 3.7 in.
Front tire: 120/70 ZR17
Rear tire: 190/50 ZR17
Wheelbase: 58.3 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 43mm inverted cartridge fork with adjustable preload, 18-way compression and 15-way rebound damping adjustment / 4.6 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Bottom-link Uni-Trak® and gas-charged shock with adjustable preload, stepless rebound and compression damping adjustments, adjustable ride height / 4.9 in.
Front brakes: Dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs with dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers and ABS
Rear brakes: Single 250mm petal disc with twin-piston caliper and ABS
Overall length: 85.4 in.
Overall width: 30.3 in.
Overall height: 46.1 in.
Ground clearance: 4.9 in.
Seat height: 31.5 in.
Curb weight: 590.9 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 5.8 gal.
Color Choices: Golden Blazed Green / Metallic Spark Black,
Candy Burnt Orange / Metallic Spark Black,
Flat Ebony / Ebony
MSRP standard ABS / SE ABS: $15,699 / $16,199
Warranty: 12 Months
Kawasaki Protection Plus: 12, 24, 36 and 48 months

It has 181 miles on it, all stock minus the wind screen. Only reason I was asking about exhaust is, I kind of likes the look of the street meg better, especially since I can get it in black :)

Well go for it then but if it were me, I'd take a brand new 14 unless this gently used one is much less expensive or if you really have to have that color. Do consider asking for new tires if they're 3 years old. I just know dealerships try to rape you on used bikes. There's a slight advantage to buying from them if there should be a problem with the bike as soon as you take it but if it's covered by warranty still, I doubt that even comes into play with a bike that has this few of miles.

red gills were stock on the matt black model

New 14s run about 15 out here, this one is running right at 10. I will check the tires for sure. Also, this is the only dealership I have found that is giving me a fair shake with my Aprilia, nobody else seems to want it.

well...after all those specs and such,how much do they want for it.no way msrp...no way...it's used.they would like it gone.deal with em.

I've heard of people walking out with last years model 0 miles for 11k. MSRP is around 15k but what would they sell a brand new previous year bike for? Probably around 11 maybe 12 if they could get it.

Last year's all matte black model is going for 15.5 out here at my dealership, they will only go down to 13. I told them now way. Cheapest I have found last year's model for is 12.5. Could be this part of the country.

well...12.5 better than 13...i think you must go lower.it's used.if you tried to sell it...you wouldn't get 12.5 for it.

We will see, I will be heading down there this weekend. They aren't budging on price over the phone, but they want to put their eyes on my Aprilia, trade difference and me walking away will probably get a lower price. Question on brocks exhaust, looks like they give you a red cap to use as a the pair block off. Is this required or just suggested? Never had a brocks exhaust so apologies in advance for a lot of questions.