blueford
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posted June 08, 2006 05:43 AM
Hold on and pray-Aboard the world's fastest sport bike
THROTTLE JOCKEY / SUSAN CARPENTER
Hold on and pray
Aboard the world's fastest sport bike, The Times' new motorcycle reviewer gets off to a quick start.
SUSAN CARPENTER
June 7, 2006
I had barely kicked it into third and was minding my own business when it happened the first time. A low-slung sport sedan was pacing me two lanes to the left, and the driver's eyes, which at that speed should have been stuck to the road, were instead glued to my Slurpee red Kawasaki ZX-14.
Riding the world's fastest production sport bike, I did what anyone else in my position would do: I taught the guy who's boss and twisted the grip, and so long, sucker!
Juvenile? No doubt, but I wasn't nearly as juvenile as I could have been. With 200 horsepower and 80 mph more at my disposal, I could have easily blown the guy into another dimension. But part of riding a bike as powerful as the new Ninja ZX-14 is restraint. It isn't about using all the juice you hold in your hand, it's about knowing that it's there and knowing that everyone else knows it's there, too.
Boasting a quarter-mile time of just over 9 seconds, the new Ninja can reach top speeds of more than 180 mph and crank out enough fast and furious fun that I felt genuinely depressed dropping it down to first and wheeling the little beast into my garage for the night. The in-line four, 1,352 cc ZX has been given a pet name at Kawasaki the "Hayabusa beater." For those who don't speak sport bike, the Suzuki Hayabusa GSX-1300R is the 155-horsepower stud that has defined and dominated the so-called hyperbike category since 1999.
No more. The ZX-14 is the largest displacement sport bike Kawasaki has ever built and its quickest out of the gate with stock parts. Ride one, and you've got instant bragging rights.
Thanks to Britain's Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, a gentlemen's agreement now exists among sport bike manufacturers that limits their motorcycles to a maximum (though still outrageous) straight-from-the-showroom-floor speed of 186 mph. It's a relief such a cap exists. Even so, the result may actually be making accidents more likely because the hyperbike battle is now fought in getting to speed more quickly, not in actually reaching the top speed, which few street riders are foolish enough to attempt anyway.
Knowing the ZX-14's rep as a rocket on two wheels, it was with equal parts excitement and dread that I first approached riding it. On the one hand, I love to go fast. There's no better feeling than rolling on the throttle and blasting down the street on a perfectly engineered machine. But on the other, while I had no intention of testing Kawasaki's quarter-mile claims, I knew it would tempt me. I wanted to ride the new ZX within my limits and as fast as I felt comfortable, but I feared I might lose control with so much power at my disposal.
Firing it up and throwing a leg over, I clicked into first, took a deep breath and twisted the grip. It being downtown and lunch hour, riding conditions were not ideal for a bike that could drag race a fighter jet, but that was just as well, considering my trepidation. The traffic was molasses, forcing the bike to do something it's not known for but nevertheless does well go slowly.
Weighing in at about 500 pounds with a full tank and fluids, the ZX-14 doesn't handle like the anvil one would imagine. Thanks to its lightweight aluminum frame and low center of gravity, the bike is surprisingly stable and easy to handle. It isn't a workout to maneuver past cars and take corners at slow speeds.
Still, breaking away from traffic is where the bike truly shines. The digitally fuel-injected throttle is so smooth and linear, it didn't result in the unintentional wheelie I was expecting. It kicked me back a bit but not enough to lift the front end off the ground. Progressive at the launch, the torque delivery was far from slow off the line, but it had even more teeth once I'd revved the bike to about 6,000 rpm, and the power just kept on coming at 7,000 and beyond.
What goes up must come down, of course, and that's especially true of speed. Flying off the 2 Freeway onto regular streets, when the lights so unfairly turn red, I was happy for the braking stability provided by the bike's radial-mounted front-brake calipers and master cylinder, the latter of which brings the front brake piston in line with the brake lever. Squeezing the lever on this "direct-action" brake, there was no lag in response. Same for the direct-action clutch, which engaged immediately when pulled.
The front brake and clutch weren't just highly responsive. They were easy to reach because the riding position of the ZX-14 is more relaxed than many smaller-displacement sport bikes. I was still positioned forward, but instead of stretching for far-away handlebars like a kid clawing at an out-of-reach cookie, I could comfortably extend my arms to the grips. The bars were also at a height that didn't induce carpal tunnel syndrome; they're slightly higher, so my body weight didn't rest on my wrists. The bike's foot pegs were a tad lower as well, so my knees weren't jammed into my armpits.
I didn't need to do the half-cheek sneak to touch a foot to the ground, either. The seat is tapered into the tank and at a manageable height of 31.5 inches. Anyone with an inseam of at least 32 inches should be able to stand flat-footed when stopped.
That isn't always the case for large displacement bikes, some of which are so fat they're like riding elephants. But the ZX-14 is surprisingly narrow because of its frame. Unlike the twin spars that are common to most race bikes, the ZX-14 uses Kawasaki's monocoque design. The frame goes over the engine instead of around it.
The narrow frame is part of the reason the bike handles so well and not just when it's rocketing in a straight line. Out on the twisty curvys of Angeles Crest Highway, it hugged alternating turns like lingerie on a Victoria's Secret fashion model. And when I took a corner and came upon a backward-moving construction truck in my lane, it wasn't like lifting bricks to pull it up out of its steep lean angle and slow down quickly.
For all its high-tech derring-do, the ZX-14 is quite the looker. The bike lacks all the flashy, multicolored gobbledygook the Japanese manufacturers have traditionally slapped on sport bikes in the name of supposed style. Its body accented with basic black, the ZX-14 seems to be taking a page from the Italians, keeping the look simple, streamlined and slightly menacing. The quadruple projector beam headlights make the front end look like a smirking devil face when all of them are on.
The ZX-14 isn't designed for the track it's too big and it isn't a limited-production novelty. It's a mass-market street bike designed to appeal to riders of varying experience levels, few of whom will (or should) ever ride the bike to its full potential. Knowing that, Kawasaki hasn't just made the most powerful street-legal sport bike. It's made one that's surprisingly rider-friendly.
That's both a good and bad thing. Though good for riders like myself, who've logged a lot of road time, it's potentially lethal. The sport bike demographic being solidly twentysomething, more than a few ZX-14's will land in the hands of less-traveled, even first-time, riders who are buying the bike for its rep but lack the experience to understand its power and fully control it.
Considering that few riders will actually saddle up and take the ZX-14 from 0 to 180 mph in 10 seconds, it hardly seems worth the time and money Kawasaki put into developing the bike. But, as Suzuki's Hayabusa has proved, the riders who will buy such a bike are plentiful. And those who drop the $11,500 for a ZX-14 are sure to enjoy it because it isn't just the fastest stock bike on the road. Riding it may also be the most fun a person can have sitting down.
*
Susan Carpenter can be reached at susan.carpenter@latimes.com.
  
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tslewisz
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posted June 08, 2006 05:54 AM
Thanks!
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spalding12
Novice Class
Posts: 40
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posted June 08, 2006 07:16 AM
ditto on the thanks
boy, she writes a great review
we should all go riding with her one day
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fastestbusaaround
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posted June 09, 2006 02:04 PM
The guys on the Busa site are pretty pissed...one of those turds actually wrote the author a letter about that article she wrote...what a bunch of jackasses...they need to face the music....ZX14 is now the top contender in the world of Hyperbikes! 
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brain
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posted June 09, 2006 07:56 PM
0 to 180 in 10 seconds,RIGHT
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junior s
Pro
?
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posted June 09, 2006 08:14 PM
 Edited By: junior s on 9 Jun 2006 21:14
Kilometers Per Hour maybe ??
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Get up off your ass and ride !!
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zxbob
Pro
Posts: 1692
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posted June 09, 2006 08:29 PM
Edited By: zxbob on 9 Jun 2006 21:30
I clipped that artical outta the LA Times to keep. When I was flippimg thru the
paper - I cold'nt beleive it when i saw it. "pretty cool"
Bob
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Good parts aint cheap and cheap parts aint good !
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Mano 2
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posted June 10, 2006 02:52 AM
OK 15 seconds. Maybe even 20.
I didn't read it that closely.
Was she really quoting timed trials, or just wowed by the power?
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zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted June 10, 2006 05:28 AM
Edited By: zerMATT on 10 Jun 2006 06:29
0-150 or 160 in 10 seconds with a light guy, that's for sure...
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brain
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posted June 10, 2006 06:02 AM
That would be like 112mph if it were kilometers.Its just one of those silly inaccuarate quotes you hear by the dozens when sport bikes are the discussion. Hp and torque ratings,0-60,top speed.It all gets so exaggerated.Its not just the dufus at bike night you here saying his r6 will do 200 mph,media,law enforcement,remember the 205 mph RC51,and even the manufacturers play the game.A good example is motorcycle speedos,why do they read 5-10% high on every sport bike made.Is it to save our liscense or for Johnny Squid racer to be able to tell people he has gone 186 mph when in reality he has gone 170.I say the latter.The 14 is another,people are having to spend 2k to get what Kawasaki hinted and led us to believe this bike would have stock.Whats the old saying,Tell a lie enough times it will become the truth.
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oldkawboy
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posted June 10, 2006 07:02 AM
brian,
Please refresh my memory, I'm getting old.
What exactly did Kawasaki hint at that $2,000 has to be spent to attain?
I do know for a fact that the fastest production 'Busa at Maxton with probably the best rider, Scott Guthrie, ran 192 there. Three weeks ago a production ZX14 ran 196............
Dan
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brain
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Posts: 136
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posted June 10, 2006 08:12 AM
200 hp for one.Even at the crank that should be around 185 to the rear wheel.From what ive seen 165 to 170 is the norm.Dont get me wrong,the 14 is a great bike and i will more than likely own one next year {i never buy new releases] but the #'s that are spewed around in the sport bike world are laughable.Yamaha took bullshitting to a new level with the new r6 and it bit them in the ass
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oldkawboy
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posted June 10, 2006 08:39 AM
Like you, I don't get too caught up in the hp ratings. Real world performance will be the proof.
I've been bit before on the first year run of bike and cars, seems like the companies let the consumers work the bugs out.
That being said, the 14's are AWESOME and I don't even own one.
Thanks for the reply,
Dan
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serius blk
Zone Head
Posts: 543
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posted June 10, 2006 09:01 AM
Remember the 197 at the crank was with the ram air. The dyno numbers guys have been getting have been with out the ram air. 170 and add 10 for the ram air. That would be close to 180 at the rear wheel.
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brain
Expert Class
Posts: 136
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posted June 10, 2006 11:05 AM
Even though Kawasaki is known to have the best ram air in the industry,i would bet real money the gain would not be 10hp as they claim.Just another one of those numbers that is arbitrarily thrown around as fact.I wish someone in the test world would give the final number but they never do. It wouldnt be that hard to pressurize the air box with simulated 180mph effect
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havabusa12r
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posted June 10, 2006 05:00 PM
It's amazing how we poopoo the news sories and reporters unless they say something we like to hear.
Check out this OT story:
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/stories/KTVKLNews20060605_Hyundai-photo-radar.5978983d.html
____________
(68 Yam 175 2-stroke)
(99 Copper Busa) (99 Duc 900 SS full fairing) (00 MV Agusta F4S) (02 Aprilia RSV Mille) (02 ZX 12r CTB) (03 KTM 950 Adv)
(04 Yam R1) (05 LE Busa) (07 ZX 14)
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northmedic
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posted June 10, 2006 07:47 PM
maybe i am wrong but how on a dyno can you get the Hp gains of the ram air
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fastestbusaaround
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posted June 11, 2006 01:23 AM
quote:
200 hp for one.Even at the crank that should be around 185 to the rear wheel.From what ive seen 165 to 170 is the norm.Dont get me wrong,the 14 is a great bike and i will more than likely own one next year {i never buy new releases] but the #'s that are spewed around in the sport bike world are laughable.Yamaha took bullshitting to a new level with the new r6 and it bit them in the ass
You are seriously mistaken...if it was 200 HP at the crank. which it is not...it would be much more than a 7.5% loss to the rear wheel. Kaw stated 197.5 at the CRANK with ram air and 187.5 without which is about 163-166 at the rear wheel. Show me one bike with 7.5% loss to the rear wheel...
There's absolutely nothing incorrect with these numbers, just your statements...do some research and you'll see for yourself.
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FYYFF!!!
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zx1kr
Pro
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posted June 11, 2006 07:44 PM
quote:
Even though Kawasaki is known to have the best ram air in the industry,i would bet real money the gain would not be 10hp as they claim.Just another one of those numbers that is arbitrarily thrown around as fact.I wish someone in the test world would give the final number but they never do. It wouldnt be that hard to pressurize the air box with simulated 180mph effect
Word had it from a knowledgable Dyno guy who taught me the basics theories of Dyno tuning that Akrapovic Exhaust spent over a million smackers in their dyno facility trying to replicate forced air gains & concluded that they could not recreate the condition to their satisfaction. That was a few years back but , I haven't heard anything more to the contrary.
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Outsiderzx12r
Zone Head
Street Racer
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posted June 11, 2006 07:51 PM
Bugly crybabies are in denial.
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OutsiderZX12R
2000 ZX12R-A1
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havabusa12r
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posted June 11, 2006 08:48 PM
quote:
Bugly crybabies are in denial.
So, you think that the busa is ugly?
____________
(68 Yam 175 2-stroke)
(99 Copper Busa) (99 Duc 900 SS full fairing) (00 MV Agusta F4S) (02 Aprilia RSV Mille) (02 ZX 12r CTB) (03 KTM 950 Adv)
(04 Yam R1) (05 LE Busa) (07 ZX 14)
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famous1
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posted June 12, 2006 04:58 AM
quote:
200 hp for one.Even at the crank that should be around 185 to the rear wheel.From what ive seen 165 to 170 is the norm.Dont get me wrong,the 14 is a great bike and i will more than likely own one next year {i never buy new releases] but the #'s that are spewed around in the sport bike world are laughable.Yamaha took bullshitting to a new level with the new r6 and it bit them in the ass
so what would you figure a piped, mapped bike was making "at the crank"..?
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fastestbusaaround
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posted June 12, 2006 05:01 AM
210-215...about, with well tuned mapping...you should see around 215 SAE
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