kawasaki zx-14

[Honclfibr]

If Kawi really "got" this market segment, they would produce the ZX-14 in only one color: chrome, with spinners.

Other than that, completely agree. When it comes to the U.S. motorcycle market, nothing exceeds like excess.

[benVFR]

Yah that would make Kawasaki even more friends... but they probably can't do chrome for cost reasons and spinners for liability reasons. IIRC a front spinner means only one front brake disc + caliper.

[mikeb]

this bike is about making the statement mine's faster than yours. we american's love that shit. this is a hemi cuda of the muscle car days. great in a strait line, balls to the wall speed. 85% of sales will be to drag racers and bling bling posers. i say who cares, i'd still would like to ride one.

[ZX-12R]

I agree that for most less experienced riders, these types of bikes are all about excess but for the experienced riders that wrack up lots of miles and desire a strong comfortable bike, the ZX-12R, Hayabusa, and soon to be ZX-14 are not pointless bikes. Just because they have loads of power does not mean they have to be driven at Mach 1 all the time to enjoy them. These bikes are designed to be ridden on the street and that is where they excell. These bikes do everything well.

I like the fact that I can roll through town at 40MPH in 6th gear and still be maneuverable because of the loads of torque the motor makes without having to rev the shit out of it all the time. I also like the fact that I can get the horsepower I want without sitting on a microscopic 1K that makes me look like a monkey humping a football. I like the added stability I have when I encounter less than desirable road surfaces while leaning most of the way over. I like that I can put 700 miles on it in a day and not feel like someone punched me in the kidneys. I like that I can run in the 10's at the dragstrip with no practice at all. I love the look on peoples' faces when they realize that the 12R can turn remarkably well for a bike of its size.

You have to get some saddle time on this style of bike to really appreciate what they do.

I cant wait to try out the ZX-14. If it is anything like the 12R then it will probably end up in my stable once the revision B model is released.

[busa413]

I'm with you on this one ZX12R. Torque is the biggest thing I like about my bike, something about 80ft/lbs at 3000 RPMs and 106ft/lbs at peak is just nice. Not to mention 160RWHP on a stock Busa is different than 160RWHP on a stock GSXR1000. The Busa (and 12R) make more power the whole way through the rev band and the only place that the new litre bikes come close is when they peak, other than that they are much lower on power.

I also like the comfort. I couldn't stand riding one of the smaller bikes, I've tried it and it didn't work for me.