ZX14R tested
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ZX14R tested - 7/27/2006 3:00:30 AM
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R1000
Posts: 1119
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
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The shop finally got a few Kawasaki ZX14R and I was able to test one yesterday. The ZX feels almost as heavy as the CBR, no problems when it rolls, but you feel some overweight when raising the bike from the sidestand (it has no centerstand). The engine runs very smooth, like an electrical engine, and is extremly responsive from idle all the way up. The bike produces close to 200 horsepower. The guy giving me the bike said- There was a sound from the chain when I pulled a wheelie, maybe the chain should be adjused, but I guess you dont ride as hard me. No I dont, I always run nice and gentle I said.
I did a wheelie immediately after take off, since the guy asked for it so to say.... This bike is incredible strong and gets up on the rear without any tricks even though its heavy front, impressive. The chassi felt rock solid and the gearbox and breaks where impressive to. At the entrance of the highway I got a small and undramatic power slide and went of at maxium power thrue most gears after straigthen up the bike. There was som traffic, so I couldn't make an unlimited flat out. This bike pulls extremly hard, I was smiling inside the helmet while the speed climbed up to insane figures. After about 10 km's I took off at a long and sweeping exit, I geared down and hanged out as much I as could with the under-arm laying on the tank. It was easy to move in the bike. Directly when leaning down I began to give throtthle, and although I was smooth, another rear slide occured, notning scary, it just washed out back some thrue the curve. Up over the highway and down back on the other side. I gave full throttle again, and the bike did a very long power wheelie which almost felt mandatory. I'm not keen doing wheelies, it could be dangerous, but I meantion it beacuse it tells you how strong the bike is and it was easy and felt real safe. On the way back it was less traffic when going out, so I went thrue all the gears up to full speed where the rpm limiter went in. I did'n look at the speedo, but all new bikes end the reading at 299 km/h, so it doesn't tell you much anyway. The stability and smoothness at real high speeds is awsome. What a bike to eat miles with on fast touring trips, and I guess it will deliver also at track days.
End result, nothing to complain about at all, the XZ14R has all the good geenes one have learned to appreciate from the CBR, but on a much higher and refiened level. The risk for power slides could be an issue one have to watch up for. I'll maybe buy one next year when replacing the Suzuki, but havn't decided finally. The Suzuki is real sporty but almost feels as a moped compared to the ZX. The old CBR will be kept as a commuter and for general pleasure, which it has proven so well.
If you have the opportunity, go test riding the ZX14R even if you not are planning to replace bike, it is a great experience and can honestly be described as comfy missile ! The CBR will feel real week and not so solid anymore directly when going back, but it has the power needed anyway, so it's nothing to cry for and the mind will readjust back to CBR standards quite soon. You can find better evalutations for the ZX14R (ZZR 1400 in Europe) on
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/03march06_zx14pt2.htm
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/27/2006 6:28:46 AM
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Trips
Posts: 776
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Perth (Western Australia)
Status: offline
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But its so F**KING ugly!
....and its a Crapasaki. ;)
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/27/2006 7:41:37 AM
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R1000
Posts: 1119
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
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Yeah, I thought the same when seeing the ZX14R in magazines earlier this year, but I become used to it and when seen live it looks real nice. It has the basic design of a "real" motorcycle, with traditional lines like the old CBR. The CBR looks more nimble and sporty though, which is very impressing since the bike has it roots from the late 80:s. If the ZX14R meets the building quality settled by late ZX9R's and the ZX10R, I'm convinced that the quality is as good as for any new bike, despite it's a Kawasaki.
Yesterday, on the way home, I stopped at McDonalds and sat outside eating. I family came by and their little son about 5 years old screamed - I want a bike to dad! He was looking at the bike as long as he could, while they where dragging him away, still shouting I want a bike dad! They say that children and drunks tells the truth spontaneously. It sure was a sign that the CBR is still appreciated.
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/27/2006 11:19:17 AM
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TimBucTwo
Posts: 539
Joined: 6/13/2006
From: Upstate NY, USA
Status: offline
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I was just reading up on the ZX-14 last night. With a taller rider, the riding position looks goofy.
From the photos in the article it looks like the riders kneecaps are above the hips. Also the seat height to handle bars rise is only 4.3"
The 177HP claimed in the article is 41 more than my 136. I don't know where I would use it. I can get myself into enough trouble with what I have.
I think the ZX-14 is capable of the long hauls but I don't think my body (6'1") could take that leg position for too long.
Newer is better in most cases. As far as the 1kF goes, people, whether they know anything about bikes or not, always ask me what year mine is. When I tell them that it is a '94 they always say,"Wow, that's real nice". I have seen people walk by ZX-14's and not look at them. I guess there is nothing special that stands out.
1/4 mile in 9.76 sec. @ 144 MPH, now that's special, real special.
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/27/2006 6:56:05 PM
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jetson1000
Posts: 49
Joined: 4/12/2006
From: Arlington Texas
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I am just the opposite! I thought that it looked real sharp in the magazines but was disappointed when I saw it at the dealership. Aside from it looks though, I think that it will be a good choice for me when it's time to change bikes. I like the Busa, especially the fact that it has great resale value, but I'm really leaning towards the ZX-14. It seems like a modern day version of the CBR1KF, and there aren't many bike out right now that can fill that niche.
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/28/2006 3:45:46 AM
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rippn
Posts: 742
Joined: 3/12/2006
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Hmmmm, I almost wouldn't buy a "first year" anything... Let the Orkin man sort'm !!!!!!
If anyone saw my topic... " six eyed turd" My still gigantuan Quandry is... If it's just a bored and stroked 12 engine, than why all the need for the extra 10" in the bike... proportion, is everything. George Forman grill styling, wood shop look'n pipes, Frosty the snowman lumpy grin, up front, and rear styling, that, IMO, doesn't fit, and is extreamly uninovative,or outstanding... Not the power expected by anyone (mag tests) under 6krpm, but fast??? wowie!!!!! see what the new 'busa does... I think there laugh'n, at suzuki headquarters... I think the tank needs a lunch box handle... WOOF !!!!!!!!! Clean and free, Ripp'n
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/28/2006 9:11:19 AM
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Trips
Posts: 776
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Perth (Western Australia)
Status: offline
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Could always just shoehorn the ZX-14 donk into the CBR :D
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Remember the light at the end of the tunnel may be an oncoming train!
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/29/2006 6:00:35 AM
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R1000
Posts: 1119
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Trips
Could always just shoehorn the ZX-14 donk into the CBR :D
Yeh, that would be an awsome sleeper 
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/29/2006 12:30:14 PM
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rhino94
Posts: 136
Joined: 4/13/2006
From: Boras Sweden
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R1000:
Thanks for your reviews, they are always interesting.
For me it´s quite enough with the CBR. I have a wife and 2 children.
I would love drive on the rear wheel for a couple of meters sometimes though.
She went up a couple of centimeters by herself once but then I had almost empty tank and a bag rear. I was racing a Volvo V70R at a red light.
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Rhino94
-04 FJR1300 with 1000 kms
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/29/2006 4:46:54 PM
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R1000
Posts: 1119
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rhino94
R1000:
Thanks for your reviews, they are always interesting.
For me it´s quite enough with the CBR. I have a wife and 2 children.
I would love drive on the rear wheel for a couple of meters sometimes though.
She went up a couple of centimeters by herself once but then I had almost empty tank and a bag rear. I was racing a Volvo V70R at a red light.
OK, I've ordered a new ZX14R today, as a commuter...
Edi: A joke of course, NO one buys this great machine as a commuter only, it's the ultimate bike for real pleasure. Hope to get some one day though. Could you walk away from the V70R? I guess they are real fast with about 300hp/400 Nm and beleive they have some type of 4WD also (Haldec?), but I'm not sure.
< Message edited by R1000 -- 7/30/2006 12:35:54 AM >
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/29/2006 5:16:47 PM
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DRam
Posts: 383
Joined: 7/21/2005
Status: offline
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I also thank you for the review. Just finished reading the 'Busa / ZX14R review in Cycle World and find your real world riding experience great additional insight. My current ride, a '91 CBR1000F, seems to have all the power and go I can use, but why not dream a little? It does sound like either the 'Busa or ZX14R might be a replacment down the road the the CBR - powerful, fast, stable, more aimed at sport touring than out-and-out sport riding. Either one with hard bags might be just the thing for some long-distance touring. Ah, excess in everything. Including performance awards.
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/30/2006 12:09:36 AM
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R1000
Posts: 1119
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DRam
I also thank you for the review. Just finished reading the 'Busa / ZX14R review in Cycle World and find your real world riding experience great additional insight. My current ride, a '91 CBR1000F, seems to have all the power and go I can use, but why not dream a little? It does sound like either the 'Busa or ZX14R might be a replacment down the road the the CBR - powerful, fast, stable, more aimed at sport touring than out-and-out sport riding. Either one with hard bags might be just the thing for some long-distance touring. Ah, excess in everything. Including performance awards.
Yea, do try a ZX14R if you have the possibility ! I was real lucky to get that opportunity, you will remember it for long, and it's very surpricing and also enjoyable to learn how very far the development of bikes has come in every aspect. The impression can cost a lot of money later though, if you love riding a bike, but you only live once... I havn't got any performance award on the ZX14, if that was supposed, before the CBR award a few days ago, it was given to my Volvo S60 Turbo when beeing in a hurry to the airport. The turbo pressure on that has been increased from 0,8 to 1.2 Bar, 250 to 300 hp, maybe that justified the performance award  . I'm not terribly happy with the last award, it sucks to know that the license will most ceratainly be not given back for a couple of months. There was no traffic and the limit was 90 km/h on a countryside road, so it will not be judged as real careless driving, but still to far to much ( above 200 km/h)  .
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/30/2006 6:53:35 AM
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rhino94
Posts: 136
Joined: 4/13/2006
From: Boras Sweden
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: R1000
Could you walk away from the V70R? I guess they are real fast with about 300hp/400 Nm and beleive they have some type of 4WD also (Haldec?), but I'm not sure.
Yes it was no problem a specially since I got a good start.
Did I get it right that you got nailed speeding with your car?
In that case you have my sympathies. What happened? Did they take the driving license at the scene?
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Rhino94
-04 FJR1300 with 1000 kms
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RE: ZX14R tested - 7/30/2006 12:13:56 PM
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R1000
Posts: 1119
Joined: 1/30/2006
From: Sweden
Status: offline
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I'm recently awarded both by car and on bike, still have the license and hope to be able to keep it. I wont tired anyone with details.
Nice you could walk away from a V70R, thumbs up for the CBR 
< Message edited by R1000 -- 7/30/2006 1:18:35 PM >
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