Afternoon people and greetings!

[Tony Nitrous]

The 14 is a big lump for an early-days bike but its not too bad.

Dispite it's size it's not an aggressive bike. It's riding position, power, geometry etc are all reasonably tame. Having impressive torque but not horsepower makes it easy to ride.

It's not going to wheelie, wheel-spin or lock up the front end like a more aggressive sports bike.

If you have a reasonable amount of ability to balance and handle the weight and are a smooth rider you'd be fine.

[Tony Nitrous]

A comparison for you....

I took a loan bike (GS500) back to a dealers in a storm, heavy rain, deep water on the roads, strong side winds.  I picked up my 160+hp, heavy 1340cc B-King (in some ways similar to a 14)

The B-King was waaaay easier to ride and much safer.
It was much more stable, not pushed around by the weather,
its big motors grunt meant it pulled at low rev's, heaps of torque no gear changing.
Better brakes too.

I felt a LOT safer on bigger, grunty, stable bike.

[Mick_J]

I agree, small bikes scare me more than big bikes.

[tingus]

A comparison for you....

I took a loan bike (GS500) back to a dealers in a storm, heavy rain, deep water on the roads, strong side winds.  I picked up my 160+hp, heavy 1340cc B-King (in some ways similar to a 14)

The B-King was waaaay easier to ride and much safer.
It was much more stable, not pushed around by the weather,
its big motors grunt meant it pulled at low rev's, heaps of torque no gear changing.
Better brakes too.

I felt a LOT safer on bigger, grunty, stable bike.

Good summary and the b king is a nice bike too. Just checked out its weight and its heavier than the gsx 1400. Didn't expect that!

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[Tony Nitrous]

A comparison for you....

I took a loan bike (GS500) back to a dealers in a storm, heavy rain, deep water on the roads, strong side winds.  I picked up my 160+hp, heavy 1340cc B-King (in some ways similar to a 14)

The B-King was waaaay easier to ride and much safer.
It was much more stable, not pushed around by the weather,
its big motors grunt meant it pulled at low rev's, heaps of torque no gear changing.
Better brakes too.

I felt a LOT safer on bigger, grunty, stable bike.

Good summary and the b king is a nice bike too. Just checked out its weight and its heavier than the gsx 1400. Didn't expect that!

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Yeah, my comparison was more that its a big heavy naked upright inline 4 Suzuki.

The 14 has much nicer styling, comfort, tank range and is easier to live with.

Not just for its performance, but I find a GSX1400 more relaxing to ride than most 500's and 600's.

[tingus]

Finally got my full bike licence on Monday and bike is now fully insured at £640. Not been able to drive it yet as got battery on charger as it went flat with the alarm after been tucked away for a few months.

Hopefully get to give it a whirl tomorrow!

[Kiwifruit]

Congratulations. Enjoy your bike. 

[Speedy1959]

Finally got my full bike licence on Monday and bike is now fully insured at £640. Not been able to drive it yet as got battery on charger as it went flat with the alarm after been tucked away for a few months.

Hopefully get to give it a whirl tomorrow!

If fitted I always have my alarms removed!
Why?
2 of my mates work for the rescue services (AA and RAC) and both say the biggest call out they get for bikes breaking down is third party alarms where fitted..
One of my previous bikes was a Honda CB1300 (naked) with only 4k miles on it.. When I told the dealer I would have it on condition he took the alarm off, he said "oooh your insurance will rocket up"..
I thought OK I will do this properly and inform the insurance it was now a standard bike with no aftermarket alarm fitted...
How much do you think my insurance "rocketed by"?

£12 !!!!!!

I just bit the bullet and took that massive financial hit !   

[shanered6]

I agree every bike ive had with an alarm has been a pain in the ass !... even the factory fitted ones .

[Mick_J]

Well done Tingus. 

[tingus]

Finally got my full bike licence on Monday and bike is now fully insured at £640. Not been able to drive it yet as got battery on charger as it went flat with the alarm after been tucked away for a few months.

Hopefully get to give it a whirl tomorrow!

If fitted I always have my alarms removed!
Why?
2 of my mates work for the rescue services (AA and RAC) and both say the biggest call out they get for bikes breaking down is third party alarms where fitted..
One of my previous bikes was a Honda CB1300 (naked) with only 4k miles on it.. When I told the dealer I would have it on condition he took the alarm off, he said "oooh your insurance will rocket up"..
I thought OK I will do this properly and inform the insurance it was now a standard bike with no aftermarket alarm fitted...
How much do you think my insurance "rocketed by"?

£12 !!!!!!

I just bit the bullet and took that massive financial hit !   

I totally understand with what you're saying, I've already ordered a self contained GPS trackers and really want to keep the alarm because it would put people off from moving it.

To be fair the bike had been stored in a garage since when I first started this thread and the alarm was still functional at 5.6v on the battery. It took quite a long time for it to drop in voltage considering I didn't leave it on trickle charge at all.

Went out today on the bike and it's phenomenal, definitely a lovely bike. Only went out for 2 hours, out of curiosity what's the power band of the bike on the reg gauge?

The exhausts pop all the time when revved hard, fricken insane.

Most of the time when in 30 lanes, I was cruising in second gear as third wanted me to go faster/lack if control. Normal right? Cause my 125 I'd be in third gear easily otherwise if be ragging second gear.

[KiwiCol]

Ya gotta remember it's not a 2 stroke Tingus.  It doesn't really have a 'power band' as such, it's just always on.  3rd or 4th or even 5th will be fine at 30mph. The engine will pull fron about 1500rpm onwards, you don't need to ride it at 3000 - 4000 to make it go.  You're just using fuel (and making it pop & bang on deceleration)

[Sweaty]

It's a whole different beast Tingus. Definitely does not need revs to go. I would also be in 4th/5th gear at 30mph and when you want to go, no need to knock it down a gear, just give it a bit and away it goes.
Have a play around with your gear selections next ride & you will be amazed at the pulling power from down low.

[Mick_J]

I have had no problems with any alarms on my bikes Tingus, two have been on for 11 and 12 years and the other has been on for 17 years with no problems at all, I do use an optimate though.

[ARH]

Mines the same as mjgt's....  no issues with the alarm in 15 years (touch wood)... but kept on optimate especially during winter.    As for pick up from low speed, I'm usually in 5th at 50kmh (sometimes 6th!) and it pulls away just fine!   The 14's got a fine engine with loads of torque... no need to be dropping gears (unless you want to lift the front end  )