2013vs2015

4141 Views 31 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Day Trippin, Dec 11, 2015

MarkOne

Discussion Starter · Nov 30, 2015

Hi all,
I am a renewed member. Use to belong years ago but I can't even remember my old username. Anyway, I am considering three bikes right now, 2013 N1K brand new 0 miles. White, $8000.; 2015 N1k used(like new) 1100 miles, Black and gray, $9000; and a KTM RC08... but for this thread, just want to stick with the ninjas. Any thoughts/opinions??? BTW... My old N1k was 2011.
Thanks for any feedback.

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Day Trippin

· #2 · Nov 30, 2015 (Edited)

From 2014 onward you get traction control, ABS standard, 2 power modes and a new rear subframe that now allows for much nicer integrated factory hard luggage. A minor motor change was made to make the strong low-end power even better. Improved brakes with monoblock calipers up front. A minor, virtually unmeasurable change, was to make 6th gear a bit taller, still should consider going with a 16T countershaft if you spend much time on the highway. Those are the high points besides color changes.

I would pass totally on the 2013 and not even consider it unless it was super cheap. The changes are significant starting in 2014.

GaryK

· #3 · Nov 30, 2015

Welcome Back!

There are a lot of gizmo's on the newer bike... buying used, hmm... knowing how the bottom falls out on price on our bikes... I think I would look harder to find a brand new 15.

The 13 will basically be the same thing you had.. plus its been sitting around for a long time.. which means aged rubber and the possibility for hidden corrosion, moisture impact.

The nannies are pretty nice.. but the pre-14's I think will benefit more from the Ivans treatment should that be the path that your are on.

If none of that makes sense then its going to be which one you 'like'.

MarkOne

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 30, 2015

Day Trippin said:
From 2014 onward you get traction control, ABS standard, 2 power modes and a new rear subframe that now allows for much nicer integrated factory hard luggage. A minor motor change was made to make the strong low-end power even better. Improved brakes with monoblock calipers up front. A minor, virtually unmeasurable change, was to make 6th gear a bit taller, still should consider going with a 16T countershaft if you spend much time on the highway. Those are the high points besides color changes.

I would pass totally on the 2013 and not even consider it unless it was super cheap. The changes are significant starting in 2014.

I should have mentioned both bikes have ABS. Thanks

Day Trippin

· #5 · Nov 30, 2015

Is the '15 NIK at a dealer or private party? That can have a lot to do with the deal as well. Too many changes from the 14 on to really consider it as it will take an even bigger hit on value as soon as you drive it. The aids are truly nice and they do work.

As for the RC8, quite the contrast to the N1K. I've always like KTMs and raced a lot of their dirt bikes. So often where I lived the dealers for the street bikes sucked and aside from that I've heard that when they are down, parts are scarce. I was talking to the local shop manager near me that sells them new and they have several bikes waiting for parts over a month now. I want to ride, not wait on parts. Still some day I'll likely pick up a super duke 1290 r or super duke gt... But I'll keep a backup bike for when the KTM is in the shop.

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MarkOne

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 30, 2015

KTM isawesome

Day Trippin said:
Is the '15 NIK at a dealer or private party? That can have a lot to do with the deal as well. Too many changes from the 14 on to really consider it as it will take an even bigger hit on value as soon as you drive it. The aids are truly nice and they do work.

As for the RC8, quite the contrast to the N1K. I've always like KTMs and raced a lot of their dirt bikes. So often where I lived the dealers for the street bikes sucked and aside from that I've heard that when they are down, parts are scarce. I was talking to the local shop manager near me that sells them new and they have several bikes waiting for parts over a month now. I want to ride, not wait on parts. Still some day I'll likely pick up a super duke 1290 r or super duke gt... But I'll keep a backup bike for when the KTM is in the shop.

Unfortunately some POS just stole my 450 xcf.

Day Trippin

· #7 · Dec 1, 2015

Wow! That is really sad. What a nice ride, I'd love to have one.

MarkOne

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 1, 2015

Day Trippin said:
Wow! That is really sad. What a nice ride, I'd love to have one.

Amazing bike! Only 238 Lbs. Probably faster than the Ninja in 1/8 mile. They took it right out of the back of my truck.

rcannon409

· #9 · Dec 1, 2015

MarkOne said:
Amazing bike! Only 238 Lbs. Probably faster than the Ninja in 1/8 mile. They took it right out of the back of my truck.

You know, one of the British mags did a similar test. Turns out the dirt bikes were very close.

HOWEVER, from the seat, a streetbike will never come close to offering the thrills. These bikes will destroy rear fenders from coming all the way over in a wheelie. Not uncommon if you put a brand new rider on one. Even 65 mph feels scary fast.

Its similar to being in a boat, in this regard. 30mph in a car is nothing. In a boat, it feels fast.

Day Trippin

· #10 · Dec 1, 2015

I once heard that being in a boat feels about twice as fast as a car at similar speed. They are totally wrong. I think it is more than that and gets exponential. I had a super fast tunnel-hull boat with a surface-piercing prop and over 100 mph in that boat was just insanely frickin' scary at times. At 200mph plus on one of my motorcycles wasn't half as scary as my boat at 110+

Then I had a friend take me out in one of his race boats. He was an hydrodynamic engineer and worked on some really cool Navy projects before branching out to some really crazy race boats for himself and customers. One of the craziest ones he built was a cigarette boat with 2 - 650 shp gas turbine engines. Super light weight and a lot of HP. OMG when you hit the throttles at 80 mph would just go like a mother you know what.

I've always had a love for gas turbines any way. Maybe it was because I spent a lot of time around Art Arfons.

@MarkOne - any leads on your missing bike? Let us know what you decide on the bikes. Any of them would be a lot of fun. Just match the bike to how you plan to ride it.

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rcannon409

· #11 · Dec 1, 2015

I can't even imagine a boat at over 100. I've been in some very fast bass boats, but over a hundred? That has to be crazy. It's even more crazy to try and explain how 25mph feels fast, but it does

Day Trippin

· #12 · Dec 1, 2015

I've done some really crazy sh t in my life. Surprisingly I am still alive. One of the more insane things I got involved in was racing hovercraft. Think about a surprisingly fast vehicle but with no real brakes... An air hockey puck in real life.

I crashed at about 80 mph on one of those going across a "flats" area in the Gulf of Mexico. First time I'd ever completely "endo'd" a hovercraft. At the time I was sort of torn between jetski racing, motorcycle racing and building hipo hovercraft. I backed off the jetski for a while when I was out with my aforementioned engineering friend and we were out doing some massive wave jumping. I mean like 10' high waves and hitting them at 30-45 mph. Got some massive air and came down were 2 waves came together and were coming up. I hit so hard the handlebars broke into my PFD and I went over the front of the ski and impacted my face so hard on the corner of the ski I broke the extremely thick fiberglass with my skull. Tore a nice flap of skin back from my nose, eye socket and so on.

My friend came over and took a look at me and couldn't see my face for the blood. It was a mess and in the ocean you have to worry about sharks. He pulled the ski over and I rode quite some ways back to the boat ramp while leaving a nice trail of blood in the water. My friend joked I was trying to chum for sharks. We were quite some ways from the hospital so cleaned up the wound best I could and used some super glue to hold it together until I got to the hospital. Got there and the ER doc said I did great work and just dressed it up a bit and sent me on my way. I looked pretty ready for Halloween for some time. At the time I was seriously interested in waterski jumping and maybe it was good that I got out of that sport.

I told my kids some of my stories and they wanted to ask why I considered those times "the good ol' days".

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Day Trippin

· #13 · Dec 3, 2015

FYI - for others considering a Ninja 1000. Here are the significant changes that occurred for 2014.

– UPGRADED 1,043cc inline-four with DFI® offers even more power and torque for effortless passing and backroads entertainment

– NEW KTRC Traction Control system features three different modes, plus “off” for maximum performance and enhanced rider confidence in varying conditions

– NEW Selectable Power Modes offer a choice between full power and approximately 70 percent power output to help suit changing conditions

– NEW One-piece “monobloc” radial-mount front brake calipers offer superb braking power and control, along with a premium laser-etched Kawasaki logo and black alumite finish

– NEW Taller 6th gear provides a more relaxed ride when covering highway miles

– NEW Analog + Digital instrument cluster includes a large tachometer and a digital display offering a wealth of information on current bike conditions and settings

– NEW Remote rear spring preload adjuster allows quick tuning for passenger and luggage weight

– NEW Subframe with built-in compatibility for Kawasaki’s new accessory saddlebag mounts

– NEW Optional Kawasaki Quick Release (KQR) 29 liter hard saddlebags[2] are cleanly integrated with the new subframe and can be removed in seconds to leave a clean, rack-free tail section

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MarkOne

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 3, 2015

Bags

Do you know how the option is for the bags?

Day Trippin

· #15 · Dec 3, 2015

In 2014 they made it much nicer to attach the factory bags. It is a much cleaner attachment system and virtually invisible when the bags are off. The bags fit tighter to the bike as well keeping it more narrow than aftermarket bags.

If you have more specific questions ask.

luciano136

· #16 · Dec 4, 2015

Didn't know the brakes were actually new. They are definitely top of the line amazing!

Day Trippin

· #17 · Dec 4, 2015

Yes, the brakes rock. Some of the best I've tried on a street bike. Great feel and definitely haul the bike down from high speeds very quickly. The initial bite is quite good too.

I have an issue when I ride my other bikes and get on the N1K. I tend to apply too much break and I feel like I could be launched to the moon.

luciano136

· #18 · Dec 4, 2015

I agree; they are superb. You can brake with just one finger; feels like a MotoGP bike LOL. I just had fresh rotors and pads installed on my Triumph and while the brakes are strong, still nowhere as good as the N1k and it's 100lbs lighter! Impressed!

MarkOne

Discussion Starter · #19 · Dec 4, 2015

MarkOne said:
Do you know how the option is for the bags?

Whoops! Just realized the typo. Should be "how much".

Day Trippin

· #20 · Dec 4, 2015

I think they are about $1200 or so with everything you need. However they seem to come up used from time to time and you can save some $$$ that way.

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