The 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
83My Husbands Dream Motorcycle- The 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
This will be my first attempt at a product review on a motorcycle- (lets just call it a wives review)... specifically on the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14. Being that my husband has been living and breathing the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 motorcycles for the last few months, I figure I might as well get the skinny on this bike- straight from him.
The last few months he has been visiting just about every Kawasaki dealer in the San Francisco Bay Area, him and my stepson, in search of the perfect bike. Knowing diddly squat about motorcycles, I figure the best way to get a good review on the bike is go straight to the fans- and devotees- of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 motorcycles.
The 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14
Dragged to the Kawasaki Dealer
Now after being dragged down to the Kawasaki dealer, I was quite surprised to find that there are actually ALOT of motorcycles to choose from- so I thought it quite interesting that my husband had decided on this one particular bike - The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14. Not being motorcycle savvy myself, I wondered what it was about this particular bike that had captured the heart and mind of my husband. (he even has the bike as his screen-saver on his computer- imagine that)
The one thing I can testify to is that sitting on the back of the bike was actually quite comfortable (promising news from a woman with a bad back!) The motorcycle itself is quite visually pleasing too.. ( Kind of reminded me of one of those transformer toys my sons used to play with) I could see why my husband was smitten.
So after seeing a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 motorcycle in person, I ventured to the internet to get further information about this upcoming new member of our family (specifically the 2009 bike that has my husbands current adoration)
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14- "Awesome & Shocking"
Now for a brief description of the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX14 straight from Kawasaki:
Description: For riders looking to shock and awe their rivals, the sinister looking special edition Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-14 Monster Energy® is the sportbike of choice. Dressed in all black, it promises a cranked-up heart rate for anyone with a pulse, thanks to the black bodywork, frame and pinstriped wheels, highlighted by an aggressive Monster Energy graphics package.
Now you did notice that sentence in the intro: "TO SHOCK AND AWE THEIR RIVALS!!) After reading Kawasaki's intro on this motorcycle I do have to admit just the thought of being on the back of a motorcycle that was going to cause "Shock" and "Awe" did give me a moment of pause ( I think just being the passenger is enough shock for me thank you very much!) After reading Kawasaki's intro I was definitely beginning to get the idea of why my husband likes this motorcycle ( this is a man that loves speed, has even broke his back on a very bad motorcycle wreck but is itching to get back to motorcycle riding)
So obviously this is a very fast bike ..... I especially took notice of the "cranked up heart rate of the pulse of the rider" (which gives me more pause to wonder- does this mean the passengers heart rate too? )
So....yeah...anyway...I'm really glad I'm doing this review now so I can learn and prepare for this upcoming "awesome and shocking bike".
OK....
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 on EBay
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Kawasaki Deluxe Cover Ninja ZX-6 ZX-7 ZX-10 ZX-14 R
Current Bid: $132.69
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Kawasaki : Ninja ZX-14 Pearl White "Special Editon Flame"
Current Bid: $5977.00
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KAWASAKI ZX14 ZZR CENTER KICK STAND 2006-09 NINJA ZX 14
Current Bid: $179.99
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NEW Pair Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja Replacement Mirrors
Current Bid: $111.69
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Kawasaki : Ninja zx-14 Kawasaki zx14 zx 14 Apollo Nasa Tribute Bike
Current Bid: $4000.00
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KAWASAKI ZX14 ZX 14 NINJA METER GAUGE BRACKET NEW 06-09
Current Bid: $49.99
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A Mid-Life Crisis?
So I have decided this is obviously a mid-life crisis for my husband- why he wants a bike that goes well over a hundred miles an hour is beyond me - but he swears this is the one and that it's the best bike for his needs.
The main reasons he is sold on the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14:
(1) The design, particularly the boldness of the bike
(2) The comfortable seating
(3) The color-options (he is particular to the Sapphire Blue color which looks black at night)
(4) It's big enough for him and I (Oooohhhh.... SCARY!!!)
(5) Quoting my husband: "The speed is awesome to know it's there if you need it " (And why ever would you need that much speed dear?)
(6) The price is right, compared to other motorcycles he has looked at ( around $12,000)
So in closing this wife's review of the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14, I have to say that all you motorcycle aficionados will have to go the the Kawasaki link to get ALL the information about this bike ( torque,speeds,etc.) but if any of your wives -or husbands- want to get an idea of what this motorcycle is all about... well this was a good place to start. Just do me a favor- Please don't shock and awe your passengers, K?
And Just For a Little Tease Before You Go...
Underneath its chilling exterior are the winning traits riders have come to expect from a ZX-14 – massive torque, effortless power, agile handling and comfortable ergonomics – reflected in the 1352cc Ninja’s sizeable collection of open class sportbike victories.
This article brought to you...
by Dorsi Diaz, professional writer and Climate Change reporter for the San Francisco Examiner at: http://www.examiner.com/x-5236-SF-Climate-Change-Examiner
Do you like to write? Join me here at HubPages where you can make revenue from Adsense, EBay, Kontera and Amazon on your pages. JOIN HUBPAGES TODAY - SIMPLY CLICK HERE...
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Products
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Fisher-Price Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX Ninja Ultimate Terrain Traction
Price: $219.99
List Price: $199.99 |
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04-08 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6 ZX6R ZX10 ZX10R Carbon Mirrors
Price: $29.99
List Price: $37.90 |
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Maisto 1/12 07 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (Assorted Colors)
Price: $9.55
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Kawasaki Ninja Motorcycle Ride On
Price: $39.99
List Price: $39.99 |
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Two Brothers Racing V.A.L.E. M2 Slip-On Exhaust - Kawasaki Ninja 650R - Fits Year(s): 2006 - Aluminum
Price: $393.98
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Kawasaki: 454LTD/LTD450, Vulcan 500 and Ninja 250 - '85 to '07 (Automotive Repair Manual)
Price: $25.00
List Price: $42.45 |
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Motorcycle Cover, Perfect fit for Kawasaki Ninja500-1000, Black, Large
Price: $22.99
List Price: $49.99 |
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Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 1:12 Maisto
Price: $7.99
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Comments
Well done. I have always been scared of motorcycles but I see how passionate others are about them...
Enjoyed reading about your process andthe bike looks cool
Wow thtat's an expensive bike even for a midlife crises! I ride a scooter myself: neither my partner nor I can handle ridding pillion - its a trust thing and once you get used to riding being a backseat driver on a bike is just way too hard!
IDK Dorsi, hub is great and interesting to read, and may even bring you some money :)
As for buying such a bike - I personally wouldn't. I don't know what is your husband's biking experience, and if it is minimal, I strongly urge you to use all your subtle girly tricks to make him settle for something way less powerfull. I am serious, this thing is for race track, not for public road.
Close friend of mine owns this bike, this is a great bike for speed fans. Thanks for the great hub.
Even that I hate bike, I can say that I love this one. Nice Hub
Wow, that is so nice. I know how to drive motorcycles but can say I'm not an expert.
wow!
me also love ninza.
I am fortunate enough to have two very generous and caring sons, who gifted me with a ZX-14 on Father's Day this year. It is a 2007, and had only about 400 miles on it. After putting another 4000+ miles on it since then, I have to say that riding it is by far and away the most fun I've ever had. There may be something to this mid-life crisis thing -- I dunno. Every time I ride it I feel younger. (I am 62 years old.)
We are in Colorado, and had some fantastic rides this summer. Got it up very briefly to 155 mph on an open highway. It had so much more to give.
Hope your husband sees his dream come true very soon. Awesome ride!
I just saw Misha's comment above, and I totally disagree. This is the best road bike there is. It is very easy to control.
The only caution I would have is if you're going to ride as a passenger, hold on REALLY tight <grin>. -bg
Can we ever see these creatures in Indian roads.??
If the Customers are interested it will be On roads in that country..
Thanks everybody for stopping by and the comments. I am honestly afraid to be on this bike, it's going to take alot of patience on the part of my husband to get me to ride far- after all, I'm no spring chicken anymore!
that doesnt sound like a real wife, sounds like someone (male) from kawasali, but i could be wrong
Texas Guy, it really is a wifes review. I haven't ridden on the bike yet so I can't say much about that yet...lol....
Wonderful review.
Thank-you Madison Coast!
Dorsi, good gas for you, being so interested in your husband's joy, enough so to put it on a hub.
I have a similar machine, 114 mph in second gear, within a few seconds. I know, it is crazy, but life is short and it is about enjoying the best there is and spoiling oneself, rather than a mid life crisis.
Some spend almost the same on a carbon fiber bicycle, which comes without a motor, while others spend big money on the best set of golf clubs.
Some of us like to live average, while others want to push the envelope, just tell husband to be careful, his new machine can purr like a tame little kitten, but twist that throttle and life becomes a gruesome wild lion with things blurring past.
Let him figure out a few hundred miles before you hop on the back and tell him to save the rush for the drag strip, or the track, where all of us are nuts anyway.
Oh, finally, for his first track day, if he uses white underwear, put some bleach in the grocery basket.
This is too much speed for my taste, but it looks good. My hubby's looking at trading his current in for a Goldwing so we can travel more comfortably. I guess that's what age will do to ya'!!
How's your son?
After reading your blog I thought you were talking about my husband. My husband has ordered this bike as well "Special Edition" and well be in at the end of the month. I myself do understand the excitement of this bike as he now has a ZX11 and has had a bike since we met. For the first year I road on the back as a passenger but then decided since he was such a speed demon I should get my own bike. I now have a CBR600 and love biking as much as he does, so now we can enjoy the midlife crises together lol.
I hope you enjoy riding on the back of the ZX14, but you should give some thought into getting your own license, you have no idea how exciting it is riding your own bike.
As for the screen saver I have been looking at it since October, but I can't actually blame him I have my bike as a screen saver at work as well.
Have an awesome summer riding, I know we will.
Dori, the same bike bit me it must be a snake. I am a woman with 15 years of riding time. I put the bike on my screen saver too. I'm not buying yet. I want to hear the rest of the story.
Dorsi, thank you for your review, I have been looking at the ZX-14 for a while now and you really made my decision easier, I hope I enjoy this bike as much as I have my last 2 ZZR's, just a shame they only come out a ZZR in england :( would have been nice to complete the trio.
Anyway, thank you again.
P.S have you had any issues with your bike as yet? no matter how trivial I would like to know, as you have had it for a while now, if it were to have any problems they would have surfaced by now.
Thanks everyone for stopping by and making comments about the Kawasaki ZX-14. My husband hasn't got one yet but has his sites set on this bike. As far as he is concerned this is the one! Glad to be of help!
As a fellow sportbike rider and enthusiast, I can understand your husband's itch. I've been on bikes for decades and while I don't necessarily care for open-class sportbikes (too big and heavy), I do ride a CBR1000RR as my scoot. I don't give rides on mine because it's just not a comfortable 2-up bike and I really don't like having a nervous passenger countering my lean in the turns.
As an aside, if this is his first bike, it's an awful lot of bike for a beginner. He'll need to take it really easy and learn the bike before he starts to test it. Liter and open-class sportbikes have blinding speed, so you need to know what you're doing before you twist that right wrist too far. Not sure about an open-class scoot (they are a bit larger and heavier), but my 1KRR wheelies with little provocation - tell him to take his time feeling the bike out.
nice motorcycle. I think enjoy ridding this motorcycle.
I own the 2008 Ninja ZX-14 and love it! Your husband will to. I got mine almost one year ago (June 12th 2008) and I haven't stopped smiling yet.
Great hub and I like your passion for your husband's interest. I have a ZX-14 and a V2K and my wife has a VN1500. Mid-life crisis or not, we ride all the time and personally love the Kawis. Misha may not understand that not all the sportbike riders "act the fool" and try to ride like a racer, but the handling and power and smoothness of the Big Ninja are hard to beat. He is correct that the power and acceleration are to be respected.
My husband and I actually own two zx-14's and they are great all around bikes. You can ride it like a beast if you want, but can also be a perfect gentleman. We have 10k+ on our bikes in two and 1/2 summers worth of riding all over the Northwest where we live. I would reccommend you get your own and not settle for the back seat.
Great article and some good comments. I have been riding and racing for 30 years. Someone commented above about his experience and said if minimal to rethink. But if he is determined to get it and has very little experience he needs to invest in a riders course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). Once he is comfortable then you go for a ride with him. I would start off with short rides. It will be uncomfortable for a long ride I can promise you that. Sport bikes are not meant for a passenger. A Honda Goldwing is. As for price this isn't too much. Some have no idea what the price of a new motorcycle is. Someone commented on that.
Tell the hubby to enjoy keep the rubber-side down.
i have the red 06 zx14 and now a new 07 black, 00 miles , i mean zero zero miles , also 2 zx12r , wow,sometimes i just have to say it to remind myself there is that much horsepower sitting out in the garage, allright i am obsessed with ninja i will admit it, i like the zx12 around town but the 14 for the freeway , i think everyone needs a pair, and at this stage of the game , i would not want to imagine life without them !!!!, there like my kids .
Enter to Win a Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja Motorcycle
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C.S.Alexis says:
13 months ago
Dorsi,
I commend you on this hub. I would not be able to stay interested long enough to write as much as you did. I am more in to riding it and looking at it than I could ever be about writing a hub about it. You are amazing! And this bike looks very fine, I can hardly blame your husband for wanting one. C.S.