Youngster with cubes!

[Mick_J]

Welcome to the forum Jed, that's a big first bike, but what a bike.

[GSXJed]

That is actually really helpful thanks gsxbarmy! Maybe take a cruise up towards you one day if I need a hand with anything!

[GSXJed]

Will especially want some advice on a tail tidy as that's one thing I definitely want to look at doing! Think it makes the bike look so much cleaner at the back! Don't wanna go cutting chunks off it until I'm certain I know what I'm doing lol!

[Rufus]

Welcome Jed, take it easy and you'll be fine. 
The weight is the probably what will catch you out first, engine bars are a good idea.
Next will be the instant arrival of the torque! that'll likely bite you in the ass when pulling away a bit quick.
Anyhoo, don't let any of that put you off, enjoy the 14, it's the best bike I've had in 30+ years of riding. 

[GSXJed]

Yeah I'm definitely going to be weary of the weight and power! My dad had an 04 a while ago when I was only about 13-14 and I loved it! Was such a comfortable bike and still so powerful, then he went on to get a ZZR1400 and that was an absolute animal but he has a rocketIII now and I had a cheeky ride round the estate on it a couple of weeks ago and just had to get myself my own big bike!

[Andre]

One of the (many) things I love about the 14 is that you can meander very comfortable through the world or give super bikes a run for the money. Each one as you please and according to your abilities. Mostly I meander through the beautiful parts in my region.  Chasing super bikes (if ever) will have to wait till I get my rear dampers overhauled, the oil in the front fork replaced, and the suspension dialed in by a suspension specialist. Also after that has happened I need to gather experience on the bike. It is over 10 years ago that I had my 1st 14, so I have to feel my way slowly to a more "aggressive" style. A riders safety course will be done as well. Maybe even more than one as there are those for beginners, advanced, as well as slant (banking) training.

[Kiwifruit]

Thats good advice Andre. Did a couple of riding courses myself.
I learned lots. Well worth it.

[Rynglieder]

Welcome sir,

I'm sure at the tender age of 23 that you will still be able to handle it, but most of us are probably more curious as to why you were attracted to the '14?

Most of us here are on the wrong side of 50 and the style of the GSX is probably a reminder to us of those bikes we owned or lusted for in the early eighties. I would of thought your generation would have been attracted to sports or adventure bikes as they now seem "on trend".

Still, good to have some younger blood on here!

Take it steady.

Pete.

[GSXJed]

I have a lot of respect for this bike as my dad previously owned one when I was younger and I loved it! Don't get me wrong, Ducatis to me are on the bucket list! A diavel would be my ideal bike but so dear! The more I read up on 14s the more I love them! Also love the look of them! I definitely prefer meatier looking bikes anyways so the gsx is perfect in my eyes!

Plus these bikes don't seem to depreciate at all!? So that's another bonus!

[coldhands]

Not trying to be nosey ,but how can you insure a bike of that size at your age,are you a lotto winner  anyhow enjoy .

[Kiwifruit]

Pete, wrong side of 50......??
Surely you meant the best side of 50 

[DanGSX]

If anything, I find the 14 has made me a more sensible rider. I am quite happy now to cruise along with my engine revving around 2k and feeling just fine.

The CB600 Hornet I have though, that's a different story. The revvy, nimble nature of it just makes me want to hammer it everywhere.

[essexboydave]

I think you'll be fine having a 14 as your first big bike, I had a Ducati 900 at 22 and after the first ride which surprised me at just how big and heavy it was I handled it no problem until 6 months down the line when I got over confident and binned it!!! I will say though that if you give it beans it does have a helluva lot of pull so make sure you have a good grip on the bars first and watch out for the back end breaking away if you're not in a straight line. They are a bit top heavy too so be careful with low speed manouvring as they are easy to drop, I used to avoid touching the front brake at low speed as that seemed to unbalance it, just use the back brake.
If you're unsure about cutting the undertray on your own bike I have an uncut one stashed away in the cupboard which I want to sell, got a few other bits and pieces too as I've just sold my 14.

[VladTepes]

Will especially want some advice on a tail tidy as that's one thing I definitely want to look at doing! Think it makes the bike look so much cleaner at the back! Don't wanna go cutting chunks off it until I'm certain I know what I'm doing lol!

@GSXJed perhaps you should chat to @saggy0000

He posted here:  http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?topic=1199.msg13047#msg13047  about wanting to trade his already cut rear guard for an uncut one.

[gsxbarmy]

shame Saggy hasn't posted up any pictures of what he wants to trade as if it was me I'd want to see how his cut down one looks first