There were a few threads a wile back about a replacement bike and also about the ZX14. This may help or just add more confusion.

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/detail.aspx?id=220

 

Call me cheap, but I can think of a couple dozen better ways to spend 13 grand. A used low mileage bird with some Corbin bags and bar risers, have 7 grand left is one way...

 

Dunno about that it has 300cc more than the bird and 10yrs technolgy wise.

Have a fair bit more oomph & handling as well I bet.

Probably cost double that by the time is lands in Oz

 

I may be living in a state of denial, but I believe riding skill has much more to do with riding fast than the last 10 years of technology has, unless you're talking simple straight line accellaration. In that case, it's the difference between more than enough and insane.
I ride with guys on newer sport tourers on sundays - one guy rides a '05 FJR1300, one rides a BMW 1200 RT, one rides an Aprilia Mille and two ride BMW K1200GT's - (new for '06 150 hp $21,000) and I can almost keep up with the fastest guy on the CBR and stay in the middle on the Valkyrie. These guys are no slouches either, we ride FAST through rocky mountain twisties. I firmly believe any bike with a certain level of hp/weight ratio mixed with a decent suspension and chasis is all it takes to keep up with newer faster technology on the street - the track is a different story, there arent any near me.
To sum it up, the extra hp/weight and better suspension (it weighs about the same as a Bird) is pretty much unusable on the street. jmo of course.

 

The problem i have with the bird is the unadjustable front and only partially adjustable rear.

When you are a different weight than the norm its just can't compete handling wise with something with USD forks that are fully adjustable.

Also top gear acceleration is a lot better on a more powerful bike.

When I'm riding with my mates on the CBR thou it is so slow coming out of 200kph plus corners. I don't have any great desire anymore to go over 300kph but I would like to accelerate a lot quicker from 200 to 250 than I do now and know that the bike has the handling to back it up.

Skill can only take you so far.

 

The Concours is probably an excellent tourer, but appears to be a massive piece. Have you had any chance to test a ZX14R? It sure impressed on me as the ultimate bike if money is not an issue.

 

Buts its so ugly...........

Actually the servicing costs on the ZX's put me off. You have to drop the engine to do the Valve clearances whuch makes it a major drama to do yourself or costly for a shop to do it.

 

Are we talking about the the Blackbird or our CBR? you could also get there with an older Busa, but like the 14 it's stone cold ugly sitting next the a Bird or a CBR1000f imo. I've never been one to trade in on the latest/greatest, but rather I improve what I have. Call me cheap, that's fine- I've had a 1993 Ramcharger since 1996 with 260,000 miles and wont get rid of it till the wheels fall off. btw, top gear accellaration has significantly improved for me after going +2 in the rear - you should give it a try.

 

Yes you can’t really say that the ZX14R will sell primary due to being good-looking, rather because of the total package. I cant honestly say I bought my aged and scared Hurricane for its beauties either, it was the same reason, it was the for the very price-worthy combination it gave and still is.

Pulling the engine for doing valve adjustment must be a pain in the ***, hopefully there are several years in between as on many other new cars and bikes.