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Kawasaki ZX-14

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Kawasaki ZX-14
Well boys, looks like there may be a new sheriff in town. Better tell that Hayabusa gang to watch their step, the Kawasaki ZX-14 just rode in.

“… the Ninja® ZXâ„¢-14, a 1352cc motorcycle that is its most powerful ever, and succeeds in setting the performance standards for others to follow.

Think about that. If that’s true, what we have here is a Hayabusa beater. The press release doesn’t cite horsepower numbers but mentions the power kicks in about 6000rpm and the torque enables pulling away from a total stop in almost any gear. They also mention the aerodynamics, which look a whole lot better than the Busa.

Now I’ve spent a whole lot of time in the saddle of a ZX-11 and it’s one sweet machine, but I never said,”Hmm , sure could use some more power.” Well those fun guys at Kawasaki must not like the idea that the Busa has been getting all of the attention. Can’t wait for a road test and numbers.

Full press release follows:

Sleek aerodynamics, unmatched power, acceleration, and stability combine to provide balance to company’s latest flagship.

If ever a brand of motorcycles was defined by the sheer power emanating from its long history of record-breaking sportbikes, Kawasaki would hold that mantel. If ever a brand would be expected to rightfully incorporate the meaning of the word “ultimate” into its newest flagship street carver, Kawasaki fits the bill. That’s just what the company has done with the Ninja® ZX™-14, a 1352cc motorcycle that is its most powerful ever, and succeeds in setting the performance standards for others to follow.

Kawasaki engineers and designers have created a motorcycle that turns its Ram Air and fuel-injected engine into the core of a powerful, torque-producing, aerodynamic stunner that will draw attention from onlookers whether on the road, or parked on the roadside. Wrapped in a choice of Passion Red, Ebony, or Candy Thunder Blue, the new ZX-14 makes blending into the scenery nearly impossible. It accelerates with ease, handles with assurance, and exudes an aura unmatched by anything else on the street.

This most powerful of all Kawasaki-branded motorcycles was created to do everything right. Right from the beginning.

Its aerodynamics reminds users that Kawasaki is indeed an aircraft maker. The blending of form, power, and handling characteristics have delivered a debut unit that is so balanced in all aspects that the word—ultimate—seems barely adequate to describe it.

This all new in-line four has evolved from the Ninja ZX-12R and features a bore and stroke of 84 x 61mm packed into a purposefully designed compact outline that minimizes engine width, leaving it at virtually the same width as the 12R.

A twist of the throttle delivers a seamless spread of torque that is so linear, the “power band,” per se, ceases to exist. Riders will pay particular attention to the impressive response that kicks in once the motor exceeds 6,000 rpm. Those that have ridden this newest Kawasaki flagship marvel at the torque response that makes pulling away from a total stop in almost any gear a possibility.

The engine uses a secondary balancer to tame unwanted vibrations, and a direct-actuation shift lever is lighter than conventional linkage-type set-ups, offering a more direct feel for the rider.

The ZX-14’s chassis design is every bit the equal of its power plant. It is an advanced version of Kawasaki’s unique aluminum monocoque frame, lightweight and very strong. This sophisticated approach gives the ZX-14 a responsive handling quality and incredible highway stability. By utilizing this frame technology, engineers were able to concentrate on delivering, as mentioned, a very slim, compact package. Inherently more rigid than twin-spar frames, and with the engine rigid-mounted, the monocoque’s strength is greatly increased.

With the engine positioned forward in the frame, engineers were able to carefully select the wheelbase and front/rear wheel weight balance to achieve both high speed stability and responsive handling. The ZX-14 uses an inverted 43mm cartridge fork and new Uni-Trak® linkage rear suspension to complement the highly rigid frame, thus offering both great controllability at high speeds and superb road holding when sport riding on twisting hill roads.

Does this ultimate combination of engine performance and chassis design make the Kawasaki ZX-14 rider-friendly?

The engineers and designers sought to combine the utmost elements of today’s motorcycle technologies, yet still provide a package that is both approachable—and usable. The ZX-14 delivers seamless power, a smooth ride, and friendly ergonomics. Together, these characteristics are manifested in a ride that is surprisingly non-intimidating, yet still maintains the heart of the rebel so much a part of Kawasaki’s brand heritage.

Offering a very relaxed sport riding position, it is compact without being cramped, and the bars are positioned so riders don’t have to stretch to reach them. The narrow engine, monocoque frame, and fuel tank make it easy for the rider to keep his knees close together in any riding conditions. Footpegs are low-set to give ample legroom and the low seat height and narrow seat front make planting feet on the ground when stopped a cinch.

And when the rider is stopped, the motorcycle will be the center of attention. Because the monocoque frame goes over the engine and doesn’t protrude through the fairing, the fairing design lines are uninterrupted, giving it a smooth, flowing appearance, from front to rear. Quadruple projector beam headlights adorn the ZX-14’s front cowl, with the outer lights containing position lamps and high beams. Low beams are located in the two center lamps. The front and rear turn signals are integrated into the fairing and rear cowl, and the all new LED tail lamp features a unique “V” design.

Other key features of the Kawasaki ZX-14:

– Instrument cluster with easy-to-read, white-faced dual analogue speedometer and tachometer.
– Shift indicator light and clutch engagement light.
– Multi-function LCD digital display includes fuel gauge, gear indicator, dual trip meters, odometer, and clock.
– Large diameter petal brake discs, radial mount front calipers and a radial pump brake master cylinder for impressive braking performance and superb feel.
– Hydraulically operated clutch features a radial mount clutch master cylinder for worry-free, silky smooth clutch operation.
– Fuel tank features a flush-surface tank cap.
– Idling speed control system contributes to easy starting capability.
– Lightweight Denso radiator with high-density cores provides efficient cooling.
– Massive head pipe casting contributes to frame rigidity.
– Airbox located in the frame, contributing to a very compact layout.
– Engine and chassis components designed to maximize mass centralization.
– Newly designed wheels feature center ribs which are slightly offset so that tire balance weights can be located at the wheel centerline.

All told, Kawasaki has once again brought its engineering and design expertise to the forefront of motorcycle creation. The Ninja ZX-14 lives up to its predecessors, and far surpasses them, as the meaning of the word “ultimate” has found a new definition.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft and utility vehicles through a network of more than 1,500 independent retailers, with an additional 8,400 retailers specializing in power products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with more than 350 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.

Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.™”, is recognized worldwide and the brand is aggressively carrying its heritage of leading-edge power, performance and exhilaration into the 21st century. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com .

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Comments

  1. it looks to me to be a more sport touring oriented machine. trail looks short but I’m guessing the weight is as much or more than the zx-12. this is probably to the zx-12 what the gsx1400 is to the bandit 1200… similar power, craploads more torque. besides, with speed limiters in place at 187, kaw can no longer beat the many 190+ road tests of the ‘busa.

  2. It does seem to have the same orientation as the Hayabusa and the old ZX-11 & ZX-12, high speed, open class sport touring as opposed to razor sharp handling. The GSX-R and ZX-10 handle those areas. I would think a quick plug in derestrictorwould handle the limits imposed by the factory and let us know what she’ll really do. I’m guessing 200+.

  3. I’m not thinking razor sharp, but it looks like an evolution of the zzr1200 and not the zx-12 (to me, anyways.) it’ll still be crazy, but i think the main goal was to bring the power down to a lower rev range…older buyers etc. may have found the zx-12 too focused and the busa too ugly. besides, when a busa based 1500 comes out soon(the rumoured b-king…sans B), kaw will need something in their lineup to point to.

  4. Strictly on the aesthetics, I like the ‘busa better. It’s distinctive and smooth.

    This Kawasaki look like… every other Kawasaki. Very generic. Except for that jagged shape sliced out of the faring, which looks about as good as BMW’s “flame styling”.

  5. just saw the instrument cluster… biggest number on the speedo is 180, with a hash mark for 190…redline at 11000

    zx-12 dash goes to 350 kph (i’m assuming these are stock instruments I’m looking at) which works out to 217 mph

    while this has no bearing on the performance of the bike, I’m guessing that kawasaki isn’t really interested in re-igniting the pissing contest with suzuki. the real potential for this bike will be in the hands of the dragsters and tuners (i doubt that there is much more room to go at 1350 cc’s, but it saves buying the bore/stroke kits)

    my simple flawed math says – 13% greater capacity, 95.5% the revs, 5% bonus for 5 years in tech advances, 2.5% penalty for softer focus = 175 RWHP.

    combine this with 95% (wild guess) of the drag of the zx-12 and you get an unrestricted top speed of approx 195 mph (assuming the gearing is as appropriate as the 12s was) this also assumes a fair comparison with the 193 suzuki posted a few years with a stock bike (that is to say that the speed limiter removal does not change ignition curves or other parameters affecting driveability or emissions)

    also to gaijin biker – I like the hayabusa styling too – It reminds me of how dali would have seen the concorde. but given the people I’ve seen buying them around here, that may not fly with the target market. (but i don’t see the bling-bling chromed out hip hop type busa’s here either)

  6. It’s about time someone made a credible run at the Busa, After 7 years of dominance Suzuki seems to have rested on it’s laurels waiting for everyone else to catch up. Of course they could because they were the top-dog.

    Now that Kaw has side stepped the 186 gentlemen agreement, we can get the bikes we all dreamed about. High power, torque and light weight.

    I can’t wait for Big Suzi’s answer to this and I bet we won’t have to wait 7 years for it. Oh yeah- I ride a 99 copper Busa.

  7. As the proud owner of two ZX-11s(92&97) and now the pilot of a kickass 05′ 10R. I’m glad Kawaski has grew some bigger kahoonaz. Long live the Ninja!!!!

  8. In 2002 I was the proud owner of the HAYABUSA. In 2004 I sold it I loved the power but hated the handeling, so I stepped up to the plate and mounted my 04 ZX-12 just as much power, but most of all better handling. I will never do away with my 12 thanks kawasaki for building an all around sport bike in th 12. Now you have gone where no man has gone before!!!!! As they would say on Star Trek. The new ENTERPRISE is here ! THE NEW ZX 14. I will add this steel pony to my stable. SO FOR ALL YOU BUSA RIDERS,AS JOHN CENA IN THE WWE WOULD SAY. THE CHAMP IS HERE!! YOU CAN’T SEE ME! Thanks Kawasaki. 9/23/05

  9. Just in time for loyal Kawa fans. No chance of jumping ship now.
    Just wish you did it in Pearl Grey as was suggested in the first press release.

  10. Just in time to avoid loyal Kawa fans jumping ship – God forbid !
    Pity the Pearl Grey colour option is not availible as suggested in the first press releases. Will be a proud owner ASAPA. (As soon as pocket allows).

  11. 2000 ZX12R 185 crank horsepower… 162.7 @ the wheel. Best top speed recorded Doug Meyer 192.375.. Maxton speed trials

    Hayabusa 175 crank horsepower .. 154@ the wheel Best Top speed recorded I don’t have know Idea…

    2006 ZX14 estimated at 195 crank horsepower… which is 171.6 h.p. @ the wheel top speed probably 196 mph…

    I ride a zx12r with modified ecu and akrapovic.. Have never been outdynoed by any busa with the same set up. i usually make 10 more (175 SAE net d.j. 150) we shall see…

  12. Way to go Kawasaki!!!!!! As soon as I heard about a ZX-14 Ninja coming in spring, I ran to my dealer and put $500 down to reserve mine. I took the blue one. The only way that anything on wheels will be able to catch me is with their high beams after I streak by. I can’t wait til March!!! Thank you Kawasaki! My only regret, Where’s the Kawasaki green???

  13. Is the ZX-14 supposed to be a replacement for the ZX-12R AND the ZZR1200? Plus be a Hayabusa beater? That is a pretty tall order indeed!

    It’s too bad that they are supposedly keeping the 186 mph thing. I own a 2000 ZX-12R and like it. A lot. The 12 was supposed to just kill the ‘busa, but something (insert your own conspiracy theory here) happened. The new bike is not an “R”, so it will probably be more in the ZX-11 mold than the 12. Which is not a bad thing. The fact that you can’t get one in green (at least not here) might be an indication of its true purpose. Maybe all those magazine references about how the Hayabusa out- handles, accelerates, etc., plus how much better the quality is (funny, I have heard contrary opinions on every point though) will finally stop.

    Truthfully, all I have ever asked of Kawasaki is to make a quick and fast motorcycle. They do not make anything in the league of a Gold Wing, 999, FX(any combination of letters can be correctly put here), and of late Suzuki sportbikes. Well at least not to the American motorcycle magazines. When the ZX-10R came out and beat the GSXR-1000 at everything the Suzuki was good at, they said it was “too severe”. The year before when Kawasaki made the ZX-9, the literbike that you could actually ride on the street, it was too soft.

    The Neutering of the 12 was something that many people believe the “old” Kawasaki wouldn’t do.

    Suzuki has always been their main competition, at least around here. The Great GS 1000 & 1100 vs. the KZ 900 & 1000 debate has been played out God knows how many times on the streets and strips of the U.S. Not to say that Honda and Yamaha weren’t there, it is just that Big K and Suzi were so much alike.

    Kawasaki has dropped the ball before. In going to water cooled “Ninja” bikes, the cylinder head on the KZ was never updated with 4 valves per cylinder ala the GS motors. On the street (at least in my experience and that certainly isn’t gospel) the bikes were pretty evenly matched, but the the Kaw’s would more often than not come out on top.

    The same holds true for the dragstrip. Not that they were built so much better (I have “tweaked” the pressed crankshafts in both), but I think that Kawasaki just had a bigger desire to build quicker bikes. Another reason is that after the 900 earned its “rep” (as had the CB 750, the “H” bikes and bikes like the GT 380), it became the “Small Block Chevy” of the motorcycle world. It seemed like everybody was making speed parts for it. But just like the Chevy, it was nowhere near the best engine (the SBC isn’t even the best small block by far!). The cylinder head wasn’t really an issue for drag racing until it got to the Pro Stock Bike level. It is rare to see a KZ based motor qualify for an NHRA event these days.

    A thought about THE MOTOR COMPANY:

    If the NHRA doesn’t quit the give Harley Davidson the win at all cost crap they are going to drive everybody away anyhow (…ENGINE: All Harley Davidson’s may run with no more than three (3) solid fuel rockets attached to the frame of the motorcycle… Japanese inline four (4) cylinder engines must have at least two (2) cylinders with compression of less than six (6) psi (cranking) before the start of the race….Frame: All Harley Davidsons may run top secret Department of Defense exotic materials to be supplied gratis by the NHRA… All Japanese motorcycles must weigh in at no less than nine thousand five hundred (9,500) pounds (including the mandatory attached Airstream triple (3) axle camper) at the end of the race… NEW RULE CHANGES: The finish line beam will now be tripped by the LAST wheel (of the required pulled trailer) JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES ONLY. ) I mean HD is a low performance cruiser. No more and no less. So why is there this need to race the damn things. Or if you do, why must you think that you can beat a designed from the ground up high performance motorcycle? I would never put ape hangers and a sissy bar on a YZF 1000, so why is it so ok to hop those things up?

    The GS motors have the potential to be enlarged to a greater size than the KZ ‘s. Just like the engine in the Hayabusa can be made way bigger than the the engine in the ZX-12R. And the bike itself is more accommodating for turbo/super charging.

    Hopefully the 14 is the ultimate thing (for now) that we want it to be.

    It probably will be the next (hopefully) “Undisputed King”.

    Or, maybe the One Eyed Monster will always be known as the top speed king. There is a lot of debate on that. Doug Meyers, formally of Muzzy’s, would swear under oath in a court of law with the penalty for perjury being death, that the 1999 Hayabusa that the bike mags used for testing was a ringer, and was taken back immediately by Suzuki after testing and never seen again. Doug is no dummy, and having talked with him in person a few times, suffers no fools (other than what he had to for customer service). He has a license to drive or pilot just about anything. He does say however, that the was no de-tuning of the 12 when it came out in 2000. I have no proof, am certainly not in that circle to know, but I don’t believe that. Why would a company whose main (only) feather in their cap was power, design and build an “almost a Hayabusa”? There was an issue about too much oil in the test 12’s as delivered, but you know, even the oily folks at Mobil 1 wouldn’t tell you that a few cc’s of oil will cost you 10-15 MPH on top end. Kawasaki was PROUD of that bike! I don’t know who all or what years got them, but I received this semi-hardbound, glossy pictured, multi-language, history of the ZX-12R in the mail from Kawasaki. When I called to tell them that mine was damaged (the corner was bent) during shipment, they rushed me another.

    In the old days, manufacturers DID give out ringers for testing, as some of the quarter mile times of the day would attest. Plus some used 1/4 mile pilots like Jay Gleason who were not only very good riders, but were damn near 1/4 scale themselves.

    There is something to be said though, about riding a 12 and not seeing one on every corner. It must get old for ‘Bus drivers to see themselves (or a much better version) all the time. The urban myth about the 1300 must feel great when you hear somebody talking about your bike, but then just like last years Superbowl winner, everybody is gunning for you. And there is always a faster or quicker bike out there. I get really tired hearing about how my bike is quick or fast, but so and so’s brother has a Hayabusa and because of how fast it was from the factory, it is illegal in 38 States, 3 Canadian Provinces, and the District Of Columbia. I have NEVER lost a race to a stock GSX1300R with a stock ZX-12R. But it was never a spanking either. Very close at the end. The same story every time: the Suzuki pulls away, and the Kawasaki reels him in at the top of every gear. That is quite true on hills. A torque vs. horsepower thing. They are two very evenly matched bikes, each with their own pluses and minuses. Other bikers know this, and they give both bikes wide berths and rarely challenge them; unless it is just see how well they do accelerate, knowing full well that they are going to lose. That having been said, ANYBODY with equal riding skills to me on any modern 600cc sportbike would leave me for dead on a curvy road or on a road course. Anybody with a (for the lack of a better word) “Superbike” who doesn’t believe that they would get trounced by a “girls” or “kids” or “entry level” 600 sportbike in the twisty stuff is just not facing reality.

    I like the Hayabusa. Ok, so the original copper and silver things were not pretty, but looks wise I like it more now than when I bought my 12. They don’t even look like they are in the same catagory. The 12 looks like a sportbike (a good looking sportbike, I might add), and the 13 looks like whatever class you would put the ZX-11 in. Not a sport tourer per say, but not a hard core sportbike either. The ZX-10 was like that as were the great FJ Yamahas. But the ZX-11 to me was THE bike and I still think that from most angles it is better looking than the 12 or the 13.

    It boils down to some kind of weird brand loyalty to one of the Big Four.

    When you see a customized sportbike with no name on the tank. unless you have that bike or it is an obvious design, at first glance it is hard to tell them apart.

    And, after saying how great a Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki is, and how silly (that is a good word for it) a Harley is, make no mistake that I would much rather buy an American sportbike.

    BUT THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD DOES NOT BUILD A HIGH PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE!!!

    Don’t you even use the “B” word! Has anybody ever disassembled one of those bikes, put a chain on that modified sporster engine and moored some poor drifting aircraft carrier, then reassembled it with a modern, powerful, compact, sportbike driveline to see its true potential? Oh, and be sure to put that muffler back on that raggedy old Freightliner down at the truck stop. Honestly, I would own a British bike (Triumph is all there is, right?) if they would build some World Beater.

    Yeah I’m still pissed about the way the 12 is treated compared to the Hayabusa. In my Rodney Dangerfield sort of way, I will probably get a 14 and finally “Get Some Respect”

  14. i think the busa will b king till zx-14 actually is ride reviewed.will it be able to match the monster spread of power and torque of he busa.why not.well if it has traction control and abs ill get me one.i think in this day and age a bike without abs and traction control is prehistoric..

  15. I really like your comment, Rocket J.
    Besides. I own a video of Britisch Fastbikes magazine where they tested the Busa and the ZX12 where compared in a LOT of full throttle action in Germany and France.
    And every time it was the 12 that was fastest.

    I hope I’ll be able to afford the 14 this spring. At least it is what I want to have as my next bike.

  16. Can’t wait to see the numbers on the 14 not really my type of bike but Im sure its fast.I have a 2002 zx12r and love it I think its the best looking big bike out there.The thing thats odd its not a R why is that?Kawi didnt have to do this the 12r did its job to beat the busa I ride with a couple of busa riders and we ride hard these 2 bikes in my eyes are kings all it comes down to is the rider. Lets see if the zx14 breaks the 9 second bearier have fun riding.

  17. I have a 2002 Hayabusa and a 2001 zx 12. (R1, ZX 10 and GSXr1000 are too easy to get in trouble with??!!) I don’t dig the hype of the Hayabusa. The zx 12 is a lot more fun to ride for ME. The Hayabusa feels slower if you go through the whole power band. The zx 12 revs up and really pulls longer. The Hayabusa gets up quick and then evens out. The ZX12 pulls and then throws you back. I believe it is personal preferance… but as said on these posts… both bikes are pretty close… it is just that the ZX 12 had too many expectations. I think it is a very under rated bike. The Hayabusa is easier to ride, and smoother in the corners. When I ride in town, the Hayabusa is much easier to ride. The clutch gets grabby on the 12, and it becomes a bit top heavy. The all black Hayabusa looks good. I have the green 12 with accented graphics (stock). I have a muzzy slip on without a power commander on the 12 and two slip on vance and hines pipes with a power commander on the Hayabusa. The zx sounds 10 times better than the Hayabusa. I don’t dis either bike, and enjoy both of them a lot. I just don’t see why people think the 12 is below the Hayabusa. Both bikes are in the 10,000 mile range now. The Hayabusa ran a 9.98 at Great Lakes Drageway, and the ZX 12 ran a 10.13. I can’t remember the exact speeds… somewhere in the 139mph. There is no doubt that the Hayabusa is a lot easier to drag with. That brings me to why I am writing. I can probably get rid of the Hayabusa now and the 14 will take its place. I have read the only test that I know the 14 has done, and it ran a 9.87 (I believe) by a magazine’s rider. (Cycle World??) (It ran a 9.57 with pipe, Power Commander and being strapped down.) I had a 97 zx-11 and think that the 14 will ride 2 up a lot better than the 12. Regardless, I have not passed 150mph on either bike, and don’t care about top speed. Since Kawasaki has now decided to skip the stupid, useless gauges that they were trying, I am happy to see that they have bells and whistles… I think the 14 will make everyone happy. To those Busa bashes… it is more agile than you think.. and to those 12 bashers… it is a lot better than it gets credit, just let the 14 do what it is supposed to do, and realize that it is one of the best bikes made today. You can enjoy them all. Suzuki will certainly be out with a 1500… and you all can thank Kawasaki for that!!! In 1985 I had a GS 1150E, and later a Ninja 6r. The ninja took Suzuki into a new world… Nothing can prepare us for what is to come. So tighten your helmets and hold on for dear life… because motorcycles did what we didn’t think they could, and that is to be lighter, faster and better. At 42 years old, I shake my head and laugh at what we have. I had $5,000 in the 1150 and ran 9.98s. Now we hop on a stock bike and beat it. Dear Lord…

  18. Sorry for above omission… Should have said that I had $5,000 in extras on the GS1150, such as slick, wheely bar, Heavy Duty clutch basket, degreed cams… Kien CR carbs just to name a few… Vance and Hines pipe, jetting, accel super coils, lowering struts, Rims, Brakes, Braided Brake Lines… I can’t even remember most of it. PS Thanks Dick SPEED in Chicago. Has it been 21 years??!! PPS I like the grey/black ZX 14…

  19. LOL,
    Listen to all these dyno queens, dyno numbers mean nothing when it comes to actual top speed, ya gotta have the aerodynamics, and that is why the GSX1300R Hayabusa is STILL the top speed Guiness record holder.

    That said, the ZX-14 looks to be a sweet bike and is what that abortion called the ZX-12R should have been.

    Nice job Kawasaki, after 8 years of Hayabusa reign you finally got it right, FOR NOW! ;^)

  20. I can’t think of any other bike that can hold its reputation as well as this big ninja does at this moment. Can you think of another bike that can be as fast as this one (stock) and offer all the touring capabilities and refinement and yet be as nimble as this Kawasaki? I don’t think so. I loved the idea of having a hayabusa one day (GSX-R750 right now) but now that the Kawasaki Grande is out there… well, let’s say there are new plans for the next 2 or 3 years. I kind of hated the looks of the ‘busa and now I find it just pointless. Though I still find the new ninja a bit large for my 5’7″ frame, I think that if I got the cookies to move my old-generation gixer around town, I’ll be strong enough to do that with the ZX-14. I don’t like the ZZR-1400 variation of the bike because of the dumb grab rail that makes the bike look like my old baby ninja (EX250) and that’s plain stupid for a hyper tourer.

  21. Most of the people on this site seem prety bias or should i say, ‘busa haters’. Its either u love the look of it like me, or just hate it. But the thing is, it was designed specifically 4 top speeds. This new Ninja ZX14 is prety nice, but its not realy a 1400cc, its a 1350cc, and with simple mods on the busa, it can b brought up 2 real 1400cc. Plus the 400kph (250mph) turbo hayabusa (its tricky to find but this guy tuned the hell out of 1) is a 1650cc bike. The guy took it 2 the salt flats and just tore it up. WOW i say. I cant wait for the tests between the busa and ZX14. Both bikes should have the limiter chips removed so these bikes can go 2 their full potential when the tests are done. No other bike out there so far can beat the 1999 Hayabusa. It was the first to go over 200MPH. Now they put special chips on em and can only go 185 mph (which is sad). I cant wait for the new hayabusa design. Cuz when suzuki wants to design and built the best fuckin hypersport motorcycle, they actually do that!
    (Busa is still King, and will always have the clasic status, as fastest production bike, this ninja to me has no point, the ZX12 just about beats the busa, and sry fellas, wen the tests between the ZX12 and the busa were done, they dissed the busa as usual. They were not against the ninja. Theres tons of proof.)

  22. Hey listen, I LOVE this bike! Thought about a Busa (heard a lot of good things, and I do like the look), Passed, almost bought a used mint 12r, god it looked good….passed through a dealership, as I was going through the back saw an 85% assembled black 14, bought it the next day.
    This bike is fantastic. Really easy to ride through town, and at slower speeds, absolutely no lash. Once this bike spins past 6000, it goes into warp mode like nothing else. You’ll have to seek out vibration on this thing, it is buttery smooth. Fit and finish are flawless. The dashboard is exceptionnaly easy to read (especially LCD), the suspension is set a little firm right now, but I’m leaving it as is because it works great 2 up, and by myself its fantastic in the corners, I really, really, like this suspension. The headlights do not get enough press, better than most cars, you have to be careful with the highbeams. Every girl that has seen this bike, think it’s drop dead sexy, and I do too. This thing just looks the balls on the street, Kawasaki demon cruelty, put to form and function. My only complaint is the lack of bag accesories specifically for the bike at launch. For a machine designed to be world beater, bags should have been ready at launch.
    I’m sure I would have been happy with the first 2 bikes I mentioned, would have saved a lot of money on the 12 for sure, but I went with the 14, and am absolutely blown away with it.
    I’ll let you know about me for comparison if your looking into one. Wanted something big, comfortable and sporty. I do lot of ripping around, and large trips. 30 yrs old (not a complete old man yet), 5’11, with a host of bike, and other sport related injuries. Didn’t want to be crushed by seating position, but still be aggressive, this bike did that. The seat is also very comfy itself. Sportier than an FJR for long trips, ballsier than a VFR for everyday satisfaction….just need some bags

  23. I live in northern Maine and just took my new ZX 14 down the trans -Canada highway last night. Got caught in a rainstorm, and met at least 10 convoys of semis doing 80MPH+. I have never had a more enjoyable ride. I’ve owned Suzuki’s in the past. They are incredible. But I must say that thsi bike is very impressive. Yes it is very fast, but that’s not it’s strong point. It rides like a dream. Course I am 6’1 and 245, but it carries me like a feather. I’m in love with riding again.

  24. I Bought a 14 three weeks ago, All I have to say is hang on tight, and watch where you point that thing. It was worth every penny. The wieght distubution is unreal. SO STEP UP OR GET THE F OUT OF THE WAY!

  25. kawasaki 1400 suzuki 1300 yea 100 more ccs and the busa has been around for how long. its old technology and it still is one of the baddest bikes around. i say as a proud owner runnin in the 6.77s with k&n, full yoshi exhaust, power comander, extended swing arm. just got a slick tire gona go try it out this weekend.

  26. i have a yamaha r1 (02) ; i saw the zx-14 and fell in love with it; bought it on the spot. its red.

    the power flow i smooth beyond belief and the times which have been recorded by professioinal riders is astonishing; bone stock it has alraeady turned a 9.1. and its only been out for 2 months. i like to think im objective and i too like the busa, but the 14 is different and there aint a zillion of em yet. it gets attention from everyone. women love it and sportbikers too. my harley friends look at it quizically ; how can the japs be so far ahead of harley; who knows i say, but they are.

    mike

  27. i got a zzr 1400 had it 3 weeks it fast drinks fuel like its going out of fashion and i need better tyres on it it had bridgestone battleaxe bt014-L at the moment the stock ones lovley cost of £144.00 i know this as i was fortunate to have a nail in it grr have been riding with a pilion and want to do more 1 up riding so i can chuck it about a bit and get some tidy wear on the edges.
    suffers from bufferting and the lcd screen is good untill it goes onto the last 4.0 L of fuel then the screen flashes empty and u dont have a clue how far u got till empty,quite annoying, overall a tidy machine i perviously had a thundercat which i could throw about and give it a good screwing.

  28. AT THE AGE OF 42 AND HAVING HAD THE KAWASAKI 500 TRIPLE H1 AS MY FIRST STREET BIKE KEEP UP THE WINE MAKING KAWASAKI BECAUSE THINGS SURE DO GET BETTER WITH AGE. SOMONE SAID I SHOULD GET A HARLEY AND RETIRE FROM THE ROCKET SHIPS AND OUT OF FAIRNESS I TRIED A COUPLE, SORRY BUT NOT A CHANCE. THE ZX-14 IS THE KING OF THE ROAD, WHEN I PICKED THE 14 UP FROM THE DEALER AND PULLED ON THE ON RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLLED ON THE GAS THROUGH THE TURN AND ONTO THE HIGHWAY I LOOKED DOWN TO CHECK MY SPEED I WAS GOING ABOUT 105 AND IT FELT LIKE 60 YOU KNOW ITS RIGHT. SO DON’T GO GET ONE THAT WAY I CAN SPANK YOU ALL, OH AND AS THE TEACHER TO SOME OF YOU YOUNGSTERS HOLD ON TO THE BIKE AND YOUR LICENSE.

  29. one of my harley buds bought a new vrod about a month ago; i said “nice bike” ; he said “im gonna put a blower on it” all that fuss over my 14 bein able to kick ass so well………………they try…………oh how they try:D:D:D:D:D did i say earlier i also had a harley low rider? a 91………..a bigger piece of dung there could not be…………its got 14,000 miles on it and i bought it new; i ride my zx-14 every day…….why? cause its FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!!!! 🙂

  31. i was looking at the suzuki hayabusa man the zx-14 is by far the best bike out there i am going to put the big back tire on it and ride it and put it in bike shows

  32. The ZX-1400 has great low end torque, and pulls strong on the high end. Also, a great bike for towing, LONG LIVE THE NINGA!!!

  33. Im a proud owner of a 09 Monster edition ZX1400 Ninja. And yes it is stupid fast. I do not know factory HP; but i do know it will run 150 in 4th gear and it is a 6 speed. Ill put it that way. Thank you kawasaki for puting out this enormously fun to ride motorcycle. ” Oh yeah, being a Busa killer doesn’t hurt”.

  34. Hello and congrats on your new purchase if you got one of these rocket ships. Ok gentlemen this will be fast and simple so sit down, shut up, and read carefully.

    Hayabusa Great bike. Rode it for almost 5 years.

    Zx14 Great bike. Rode it for 2 weeks LOL!!!

    This zx is not as fast as i thought it would be. I guess i just lost my rush factor. I pushed it til it buried my speedo on I-75 in North Ga so i’m guessing i hit 185-195 But it read i was blowing the speedo away i swear. It has the T.R.E on it and E.S.D systems single exhaust. If you’re used to this kind of power then don’t buy it because it sounds so amazingly fast because it’s not that fast. Buy it because it’s so much smoother than a Busa will ever be. The Rider sits more forward so wheelies are not as Ez as the busa and that’s actually a very good thing. It’s a monster bike for sure but from a 29 yr old rider with only 5 years riding experience in my whole life. It’s just as slow as a busa. The ZX is not worth 12 grand and neither is the busa. If you want a real monster then get a 14 and chop it’s motor up until you got about 1500 cc’s then add a power commander and a toilet for when you crap yourself lol. I’ll be building a 1500 cc zx engine this winter i hope and i’ll be glad to break the speed records when I do. Look for me next fall blowing the world’s mind with speed because gentlemen if i die at 280mph or better then i died doing something I Loved. Amen and ride safe brothers.

    ” Burn Rubber, Not Your Soul “