One of my favourite motorcycle journalists reviewing the bike I wanna grow old with...Great Job👍. This is exactly what the ZX14 R is; it's a booster doze for men ( not boys) who want to ride it to the moon and back. It can push your eye balls back under your helmet and at the same time give you the sofa seat comfort....doesn't get better!
I had a 2007 ZX14, I put 67k miles on it, there were hiccups along the way, but never once did she leave me stranded, for 6 of the 7 years of ownership, she was all I had, no car, I went through EMT and Fire School on it, I miss it, and I want another.
2006 ZZR, stock except for Leo Vinci pipes. 180k km / 112k mi. Used mainly for touring. 0 problems. I also have Hondas and I find it on par regarding build quality. The only thing is valve clearance check is hard because of the monocoque frame. Spark plugs are not that hard to reach and change. And iridiums will last well, well over the maintenance scheduled 7,5k mi
Done a lot of maintenance jobs on the zzr.. a good mate owns one n he loves it. Good quality build bikes. Excellent performance and handling for a big heavy bike. Kawasaki knew what they were doing when they built these hyperbikes from windtunnel design.
Had a new ( US spec) 2017 model. Very smooth engine, and of course, PLENTY of oomph to move that big girl down the road ( or the drag strip). I kept mine for about five months then sold it. Took a somewhat lengthy ride on a Sunday and towards the end couldn't wait to get off the bike to give my arms , shoulders and neck a MUCH deserved rest! I now own a low mileage ( only 5500 miles or so) 2002 CBR1100XX Honda with Heli-bars. I am a happy rider again with NO regrets! The old girl XX has enough power to keep me entertained, a super smooth engine and much better build quality.
I had a 2016 Zx14r for a bit. Awesome bike and it was a land based cruise missile. The only problem was the insurance premium. It cost a arm and a leg to insure and I'm in my late 30's with a clean driving record and 20+ years of riding experience.
I disagree, the had a 2008 zzr1400, when I was 37 with clean license and 2 years no claims, insurance was just short of £300…I don’t think that’s bad for a missile.
Especially when you consider you go back, ZX-12R, ZZR1200, ZZR1100, ZX10B1 (had one loved it), GPZ100RX, GPz1100, through to the Z's etc etc... Kawasaki KNEW what they were doing when it came to power and speed. Cut my wrist, I bleed green! 👍 😎🇬🇧
Took my 2013 Zx1400R to the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2016 with three changes: higher gearing, slip on exhaust and ecu altered to allow more top speed, my best 196.3 mph.
My first ZZR was a C1 1100, great bike. Then I bought the D1, 1100, even better! We went everywhere around Europe, 2up, luggage, great time. Probably the best bike I have owned in that class! I still have it. Been stored for quite a while now but may well get her back on the road. Yes we had cruise control - an elastic band for those long runs back to Dover from Chamonix! If I can find a good ZZR 1400 ………
I'm exactly the same as you regarding your ZZR1100 history. I also had a Gen 2 ZZR1400 and would highly recommend it! I miss mine, but my H2 sort of makes up for it!
The ZX12R is the most underrated "big bike" there is, blisteringly fast and good looking. Never liked the looks of this one but I've heard they're great to own.
I had a 2007 model and I absolutely loved her, fast and so comfortable mile after mile! Stable, handled really well and confidence inspiring! I would love to iwn another! Definitely better than a Busa! Great review!
I bought a two year old Z-1300-EFI 6cyl in 1988 and in 1990 was being offered double what I paid. Ever since I’ve longed for that same feeling of K- reliability, smoothness and power for days. Love Kawasaki’s always!
Great job Chris! Very easy going yet spot on review! Have a 2007 model and absolutely love it! Probably won't sell it for a long time. Well, maybe for a gen2 eventually..
Owned a gen 2 perf sport for five years from New. Lovely bike, handles great, comfortable and yes, very fast. Nice to see M and P took the time to clean this one, as most of their used bikes are hanging.
I have a 2016 Performance Sport model with a few mods such as K-tech fork upgrade. Great bike and can hustle along better than the looks would suggest. The Gen 2 model improved things in a few areas, plus a slightly larger engine.
Excellent bike. One thing to note is that in bog stock form, she is a little neutered in stock form on the low end. Gen 1 owners would full the secondary throttle flies etc. Gen 2 sorts this with an ECU reflash which makes a significant difference and can also sort some of the weirdness the Gen2 can experience with traction control not knowing how to deal with modified gearing etc. Large but very fun bike.
Passed my motorcycle test last year since than I have done 3k miles, as a natural progression I was thinking about street triple but now I seen how good the speed twin looks I’m in two minds, I am a middle age man, I have always love the design of classic looking bikes hence when I got my first big bike I got Honda cb650r as it looks closer to classic bikes, I also like the street triple design it’s more like gentleman’s naked bike compared to some other naked bikes, I’m really confused now! Btw great video, subscribed to your channel, I have been watching your videos since last year, I can’t believe I wasn’t subscribed!
I have the sport touring version, GTR1400, I thought it could go until I'd a run on my mates 2017 zzr... It'll put you in a different post code in the twinkling of an eye..
Love Chris reviewing any bike.. Note though 5.32, Traction control for normal riders is for, surface issues (grease oil diesel etc) not concerns about power slides.
I'm so pleased u mentioned this. Another great that no one gives props to is the zx12 (faster and more agile yet still a truly great sports tourer?) Would love your opinion on this. Thank you for being one of the top info channels we can rely on 👍👍
I had a 600 e10 as my 2nd bike and absolutely loved it. Regret not buying a 1200 when I had the chance and always wanted the 1400…. Don’t have the garage space for it though….
Excellent review, I don't know if anyone else has heard the rumours, however, there is suppose to be a similar bike like this coming out in a couple of years, but a 1600 version, if this is so. I may trade mine in for it, otherwise, I have a keeper. I've test rides the Busa, it doesn't compare, this is my all time over all favourite bike. I use it for everything, work, pleasure, when Im bored, just go out on the beast. I have the last bike in production year , 2020..
I'm 5'7 and weight 145lb, kind of small build, used to owned a ZX-7R for 3yrs w/o too many problems except sharp twisty roads, wonder if the ZZR1400 would be too big for me?
I sold mine after my chain snapped off at 60 on the motorway, scariest experience of my life…maybe my mistake in chain maintenance but it was maintained by Kawasaki. I got unlucky maybe but so sad that I had to let it go…
Accurate description of the big Kwak. I test rode a 2016 bike , found it too soft & vibey (like most big kwaks). Test rode a busa & fell in love immediately plus wanted 300 plus @ wheel which is not realistically available on the 14 . Big Kwak nice enough , just not for me
I had one of the Performance Sport versions (but a later one), an H2 SX SE and a Gen 3 Busa and find the Busa better all round but this bike was great no doubt. While this may be a bit faster it never felt it day to day over the Busa, but an incredibly smooth engine. Felt weightier on the wrists than the Busa I have now. Great bike tho.
That bike has the best ergonomy of any bike I have tested which is why I like it so much. I feel like I sit in the bike, instead of on top of it, which is a dealbreaker to me especially on something like this. The Hayabusa is made for tiny people so for me its proportions is just weird. It's still a big bike, but you sit so low, and the footpegs are so high up that your knee angle is worse than on normal sportbikes. It's just terrible. The Hayabusa is more nimble, but I just don't care. The ZZR1400 feels so much better.
I never would have put this in a budget class. Zzr14000 cheated by increasing the capacity. This one i want. But I can't afford as cheap as it probably seems
There will be only two bikes I would like to buy as a new one. New Honda CBX with 6 cylinder water cooled engine and new Honda CBR 1100XX Super Blackbird
I used it for a year ..maybe more …it was my friends loaner bike .. in pristine condition… 8-9 grand … was a easy bike … although I prefer a slower ..Trail oriented bike .. high, easy …
Owned a 2020 ZZR1400. Stunning machine, but when you ride it you know you aren't on a Hayabusa....and let's be honest, the ZZR is the bar steward love-child of the elephant man and the UK women's gurning champion 1976.....
Well I like your Channel and I respect your opinion. But I think you may have missed the mark a little bit on this one. For one you forgot to mention that 2012 was the second Jan with a bigger motor and a few minor differences. And I think you over estimate the difference in speed from a Hayabusa versus a ZZR 1400 it's true the Kawasaki feels quite a bit faster has a stronger mid-range and a more responsive throttle. But when you compare the two on the drag strip is very little difference between the Hayabusa and the Kawasaki. The Hayabusa has a more aggressive seating position it seems to Corner better and it's more aerodynamic, it's not as wide. But I'm not beating up on the Kawasaki I own a 2012 and I love it very much. The Hayabusa seems to get quite a bit better MPG than the than the Kawasaki and I would say that's really the only complaint I have about mine I seem to get between 28 and 34 miles per gallon. Oh one more thing the traction control is not very good I run mine on one on the street and turn it off to drag race it. You pretty much have to turn it off to drag race that bike, it just interferes too much. She's a big girl but with the Right Tires in the right Rider she Corners a lot better than most people assume she would, I surprised people all the time.
02:22 - I DID! THRICE! 😈 2 times (like a top speed run, one each way) on a Suzuki RF900RW - 168 MPH (indicated on speedo) so maybe more 160/163?, on the A/M180,Humberside and 1 time before that on the same road with a ZX10-B1 - 162? (indicated on speedo) so, what 155? 😉👍 Notes... The A/M 180 is KNOWN to be a VERY quiet motorway in big stretches, so, yes, wreckless as it was, I encountered no more than 3 cars during my 4 to 5 am runs 😎🇬🇧
When my 21 year old son was threatening to get an S1000RR the ZZR1400R was my counter. "You'll kill yourself dad!" he would say. Thankfully he plumped for an ER-6. Still feels like a bike itch that need scratching at some point.
You can but they are a pain to do because the aftermarket parts are hard to find & a pain to fit. There's a really good reason they bolt turbo's on busa's
On its worst day, the ZX-14 is twice the motorcycle that that ugly Hayabusa could ever be. It beats it in every single performance category and has since Day 1 and costs $5000 less….never really have understood the draw to the Suzuki
I have the generation one Hayabusa how does it compare the zx1400 Comfort wise my bike leans too forward my body's beat to shit after riding it even with the risers that does nothing for me I have short arms is it more comfortable I was thinking about either that bike now or the ZX10
The busa you raced against was either running on 3 cylinders or the rider didnt know he was racing , I’ve seen 95 mph in 1st gear and 150 mph in 2nd on my gen 1 , nothing got close
I used a year old 175 hp gsxr13 in gold…in `scotland..I thrashed it to its limits everywhere…in every gear …like it was a 125.. not great on corners… the torque is great .. pulls everywhere..terrible for passengers .. I thought it too fast …especially top speeds.. too easy to 180 plus … I notice a Tesla plad is faster …which is Odd … especially with music playing and passengers
The Hayabusa is only better in 2 ways: It has iconic status It has cruise control The ZZR is better in every other way. EDIT: I have owned 6 Hayabusa's, most recently a Gen3. I have sold the Gen3 for a 2013 ZZR1400. They really are that much better....
I watched your ZRX1200 review and I loved it coz I own one (and it's green!). It's a playful 'ol bike but can't really go for it at 180 kmh before it protest to dump me with a tank slapper. That sure makes my interstate travels takes much longer time. So, I plan to get this ZZR1400 to cut short my interstate travels duration. Is the ZZR1400 even a bit close to the ZRX1200 in terms of comfyness? Could the back of a mortal man survive riding the ZZR1400 for a 6 hour ride (to and fro)? The GTR1400 is just a bit too expensive for me..
