I sold mine. 5 months later I missed it so much, I purchased a brand new one. Best bike I have ever owned. The feeling of riding one of these is undescribable.
I had zx14 and H2 SX SE... And somehow I liked the zx14 more. I think the balance and sound is nicer. It's also quicker stock, but when H2 is unlocked it's different story
I have owned 5 Hayabusa, but late 2020 I bought myself a brand new ZZR1400 (as they are called in England). It is way more refined than the Busa, and an all round better package in my opinion...
@@BibtheBoulder I'm actually contemplating to go for a 2017 zx14r......but the 2016 Busa I've been biking is so nice....Are you satisfied with the zzr?
I have the 2012 Zx14R. I am 66 and been riding motorcycles forever. I own several bikes and before I got this ZX, I rode cruisers and choppers. They are spot on when they say this bike is smooth.. It is crazy smooth and like they also said ya really got to watch your speedometer or you will be going way over the limit. I passed a 65 mph truck on the expressway and when I looked at the speedo I was going in excess of 135 MPH. Felt like maybe 80 or 85...I couldn't believe it.. so much power and so smooooooth.
Yea I owned a 600 ninja when I was teen I have a 1100 vstar now cuz I basically cruise but I hate when I need the power and it's not there I mis my old ninja this is my dream bike I was thinking of getting one.
So much engineering has gone into this bike. The engine solidity mounted to the frame (using counter balancers so be sooo smooth) Allows the center mass to be low. This gives the bigger bike the ability of get into those corners with more ease then you would expect. The almost perfect balance of weight from front and back also makes for an extremely competent bike in the corners. It is a shame that there aren't more options of these types of bikes. Not everyone wants to be pretzeled up onto a race replica 600 or 1000.
I don't understand why Honda did not continue production on the CBR1100XX Blackbird making it more modern with a fine restyling touch to it so it can compete in the same category along with the Hayabusa, any how the ZX14R is a great bike to have on your garage. Great video, stay safe on the road mates, cheers.
Owning a 2007 model, I totally agree with your conclusion: it is a superb traveller (I´ve done days of 1400 km, so I would know). Great review, congratulations.
@Mike The Bike everybody knows Kawasaki is KING!!!! Busa is the bike of the 80s. The Busa looks like a wet hot dog bun, that's been stomped on. I raced a Busa on my Kawi, the Busa rider was sitting on the curb, face in hands, crying last time I saw him.
I have got zzr1400 and i am really happy with it, very comfortable, well looking bike.i have not changed much on my bike, lowered rear shock,adjusted suspension for my weight, k&n air filter,two brothers exhausts( very nice sound), HID lights and you do not need much more.big powerful bike for more experienced riders. If you think about one you will not be disappointed .
I'm sure it's powerful but what I was most surprised by was how well it handled. It looked effortless leaning around those curves. It would have been nice to hear an estimate of what the top speed and 1/4 mile times were.
Limited to 300kmh (186mph). Depending on rider skill and average weight rider (around 200ibs or 91kg give or take) puts 1/4 mile times in high to mid 9s. Fastest stock recorded 1/4 was 9.69 at 148mph if memory serves me right. Lightly Modified bike will easily run low 9s.
What about a 2007 model?? I'm about to buy it 14k miles there putting a new head on it now it dropped a valve, but what problems engine wise should I expect on the zx 14 as far as drag racing no spray or anything like that just a stretched bike and great suspension and air shifter. I thought it would be a great heads up index bike?
daryll m roberts what do you think about a 2007 engine with 14k on it? Never owned over a 1000 have raced them on the track n street but I've got a chance at a nice built 2007 zx 14. Well has diff camshafts and tuned with 8in stretch n lowered?
I recently purchased the 2013 ZX14R, a great bike indeed. I have owned 700's, ZX-11, ZX12R and now the 14. Handles great, a lot easier in the corners than I had anticipated prior to riding.
Darryll Corpening The 12R is lighter, more nimble, but the riding position and center of gravity is higher. With the lower center of gravity on the 14R the bike is surprisingly stable. Also the saddle makes it more comfy to do long rides. To me the 12R and 14R are still the best 2 power bikes out there. If you are getting the miles up on the 12, maybe time to move up. (Too bad they don't make both).
I owned a 1986 ninja 1000 brand new, it was so ahead of it's time, it rode beautifully, I miss it so much, but the 1400 is my new dream bike, I love the look, it's longer, heavier but I like that, I'm 62 and before I pass on I'd love to get one but money's not there. Great show, thank you for giving his old man a look at my dream.
This is bike number nine for me. It's also the fastest bike I've ever rode. And I've rode them all. From the FJ1100 to the blackbird , the busa and now this monster . STOP HATE'IN
This video is a couple years old now,but one of the best available to really describe how good of an all around bike the big ZX14R really is. Just bought my second one to sport tour on for these reasons.
Brother from another mother if u think this is the best review on zx14r then watch this one it will blow your mind. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QGwlVdKpS1s.html
I saw the same thing. This fucker just shoots straight out, over dirt too, without even looking. Who the fuck even let this guy use this bike? Amazing.
The Truth "The Fucker" here. Don't be so dramatic luvvie, the road curves around behind me, I could see it from miles away in the mirror; but having fluffed my lines already a couple of times (not unusual) I was determined to "exit stage left", as it were. We could have edited it tighter and you'd never have known, but left it in 'cos we thought it quite amusing. Relax, don't be so righteous and judgemental when you know not of what you speak. We're all bikers, I'm still alive after riding / racing all types of bikes all over the world. High horse - get off it and take a chill pill.
The Bike Show Great video, I would love to see you mentioning the difference in handling between the ZX14 and the Hayabusa, as I am in the market for one or the other, and after a test ride, I felt the Hayahusa a much easier bike to handle in normal highway curves!\ WHAT DO YOU THINK! with your level of expertise. Thanks for any comments on this. cheers LCL
Luiz Laba I own a 2014 Zx14r and it's a great handler, a lot more ridged than the busa and better sprung. Only downside is the long wheelbase but the busa is no different there. Be aware that the suspension is tuned for drag racing (soft front) from factory so get it tuned for your weight and riding style, it was the best $50 I spent. Also both bikes need to be chipped because they're too restricted.
These kinds of bikes are great in many ways, but be warned that once you get one of these so called hyper bikes, no other bike in any other category will ever satisfy you 100% again. Learned that the hard way when I went from a Hayabusa to a Z1000SX. Did try an Aprilia RSV4 last summer which came kinda close, but only because of the awesome sound.
I done the same, went from a Hayabusa to a 600rr then a mille then a blackbird finally back to a Hayabusa. you can't beat the awesome power of a hyperbike.
Truth...I went from a Hyabusa and a few Gsxr1k bikes To Harleys for a few years. Now Im back on a Gsxr 750 2018..Im 55 and my next bike will be a Zx14 or another Gsxr 1k...
So true! Had a blackbird,hayabusa,than,tired of the bumps in the roads,bought a Varadero. It offers me everything,confort,windprotection,not feeling the holes in the roads anymore,but still missing that power/torque from busa/blackbird.
I just bought one to replace my VFR800. For the same reason, I wanted a fast sport tourer. The VFR was an fantastic bike, but lacked in the "fast" part of the equation. I love this thing, and will not feel the need to replace it for years.
I lusted after VFR's for many years but never owned one. Nowadays when I consider bikes in this 'fast sport touring' category my mind goes to the Ninja 1000. ZX14R is sexy as hell but is it really as comfortable as the much cheaper n1000? Seems like a long stretch to the bars if your not 6'+.
Do you miss your VFR800 as a Roadbike? It would be hard to Compare to the 14r with Double the HP - But I Still think the VFR800 is a Great Especially the Sound! And Hard to Beat if your on a Tight Budget! - Cheers👍😉🇦🇺
Yeah, chaps, honestly I saw the car in the mirrors and knew it was coming. But after saying my piece without the usual litany of incompetence-induced out-takes I was determined to make the getaway without spoiling it. Judged it a bit tight, mind you...
Owned a gpz900. Zx10, zzr1100, zzr1200 and now a 2018 performance sport.ZZR14. I😚😚, IT IS THE BEST OF THE BREED.. YEARS OF PERFECTING THIS MODEL GETS IT EXACTLY WHERE IT IS TODAY. MARTYN.
I had 2013 model that slightly modified to let it run to it's top speed potential at Bonneville. A few mods and 200 Rwhp on the dyno. The best I got mine was to average was 196.7 MPH at Bonneville, one run on RU-vid. However, grabbing a handful of throttle on the street is liking going to warp speed in one of the Star Trek movies. Great bike but in my hands way too dangerous for me to ride in public, everything happens very very quickly. Problem is those guys who would handle this bike properly are probably not the ones wanting it. I sold mine after racing it at Bonneville and the drag strip to a guy 33 years younger than me. I ride with him occasionally and he rides it with respect and safely, I don't have that gene.
It is about time Kawasaki made a bike to out perform their 2000 ZX-12r which ran a 9.52 second 1/4 mile at 147 mph stock no modification and reached 192.307mph after a mile. It was later realized that some motorcycle editors were checking the oil on the ZX-12r while on it's side stand instead of checking the level while exactly upright over filling the crank case and reducing the horse power and top speed I would love to buy a 2013 ZX-14r.
I've got a 2017 performance sport and the power and acceleration is mental !! It handles well in the bends and is fantastic when filtering between traffic, I do 400 + miles a week on mine and I wouldn't change for anything out there at the moment, it's comfortable, fast and will ride at 30-40 mph in 6th gear and still pull away, as a first big bike no lol when you twist that throttle you are hitting over 100mph in seconds , but saying that it is an easy bike to ride as long as you have put the miles in on a smaller less powerful bike walk before ya run. Would recommend no better feeling than sat at lights when you get a Porsche or equivalent pull along side you thinking they can do ya 😂😂😂.
I'm old (older than 45). Rode a ZX14r, thought it would be uncomfortable, wasn't. Was heavy but surprisingly light steering. couldn't stop giggling as I rode. Phenomenally powerful, but not a sport bike. Ducati Diavel gave me the same feeling. All about power and comfort for old guys who can afford them.
Everything you say about this bike is true, it's a perfect all round bike... With its weight and ergonomics and large capacity engine it's a natural for fast 0-299klms speeds.. My best quarter mile was 10.18 secs on my second ever drag run in my life on my standard bike and I only have a couple of years of experience with bikes. With the smooth engine and transmission and very little radiated heat from her large capacity engine, make this bike a best for Buck value over any other bike on the market....I have had my bike for just over a year now, I wasn't sure about its looks and riding a bike so large, but since then and with riding other 1000ccs I have fallen more and more in love with her
I have to agree with the presenters conclusion. I went to a Kawasaki event to test ride the Concourse 14. It's a lovely bike and I finished my ride certain that I would soon buy one for myself. The Kawi rep tried to talk me into riding the ZX-14r. I didn't want to. I'm a fat old guy and don't like the full-on sport riding ergonomics. I did finally try it and found the bike surprisingly comfortable, controllable, and competent, It was also mind-bendingly quick. I couldn't stop giggling.
Jeff Munro In Europe yes, same for the Hayabusa. They aren’t making the Euro5 cut in 2021. But looking further into it, both bikes will likely continue awhile longer in the US since we are the largest market for those models, and the bikes are likely not expensive to produce since they haven’t been updated in many years. If both bikes continue to sell even in small numbers I imagine they will not die here, especially the Hayabusa since Suzuki doesn’t have any new product and it’s their flagship. Kawasaki could probably cancel the ZX-14R if they needed to and not miss it since they have four H2 models now, thereby letting Suzuki have back their mantle of fastest naturally aspirated motorcycle. That said, the ZX-14R shares production cost with the Concours 14, so if one goes I imagine the other will.
I just got one and have been riding it happily. Will even chug along happily in a 10km/hr retirement home zone when visiting parents. But get back on the hammers and crikey!
Funny I felt the way way when I test rode one about a year and a half ago. I was looking for something for the wife to ride with me. I went from sport bikes to a F6B Goldwing, then a Ninja 1000 (she hated it after one ride), back to a F6B.... I test rode the ZX14R, Kawasaki Versys 1000LT, Concours 14, Voyager, a Harley Road King (love it!), and ended up leaving on a 2016 full Goldwing. Now after having the GW a year and a half and only riding 2200 miles, I'm yearning for that ZX14R.... She could definitely ride it, but after being on the wing, she will probably not "enjoy" anything else. I thought the ZX14R was the best bike I've ever ridden. My last sportbike was a 08 CBR1000RR and I was never really in love with it, just stole it brand new for $6999.
Hi Matt, Based on this review, i had made up my mind on what bike I get for this year. Took delivery from Club House Kawasaki on Thursday, 26th Nov 2015. Went for the ZZR1400 model with the Ohlins suspension. This bike is all thats been mentioned in this review. Harties should be about 100km further from central JHB as the road is now tooo short and I got there a bit tooo quickly. Satalite road is the perfect road to rake up the miles before the first oil change. Bike has now 220km on the clock and I've loved every km on this machine. ZZR1400 has my recommendation.
The selling point for this bike and why I ride it..... 30 minutes on a 10 R butt is numb 120 minutes on 14 R STILL riding. Wheelbase for people over 6 ft tall is everything.
@@tonykartracer8032 looks are always subjective,,,with proper tires and susp mods can handle well but never lets you forget its 550 Lbs,,, my tangerine and black special edition is beautiful and everywhere i go i am told so
I’ve been riding the “chubby uncle” of this bike for ten years. The Concours 14 I call my grey haired fat man’s ninja. Electric windshield, saddlebags, shaft drive, etc. new fuel map and exhaust system got me 160 RWHP. I’m thrilled with it even ten years later. I can’t even begin to imagine what this “Zed sled” feels like. 😳
@@LasseAhrenkiel Why would you pick the Kawa? Due to better riding position? I am eyeing a 2007 Kawasaki ZZR1400 with ABS, but it's a four hour journey from me if I want to test drive and purchase it. I'm still unsure about it :)
@@jockejocke1 Bcs its the perfect combo between a couch and a spaceship, i had all sizes and shapes of fireblades and ninjas and a coupple of hayas to, but the ZZR 1400 is the ultimate bike in my opinion, mine is a 2016 but ill ride this one till it dies and get another one
Blade, had one and loved it, Busa, had one and loved it but for other reasons, ZZR 1400 2013, have one, can't get enough of it, can't stop grinning every second I'm on it. For me this bike ticks every box and no it's not average or even above average at everything, it excels at everything. I get depressed when I can't get out on the Zed!! So don't knock it til you've tried it, take a test ride and then comment but I warn you you will want to buy one!! Good review by the way!
Anyone pointing out the dangerous merge is talking about safety. Whether or not you're cursing or not it's a great thing to mention. I doubt any spirits of the motorcycle world who died in those instances would mind the gesture.
Me, too. While my bright red one gets too much attention, I still think it is the best color available. The only real weakness in the ZX14R is some of the stock paint schemes. Oh, and fuel economy. 29 mpg is awful, but a price I willingly pay.
Let’s talk about the single Akrapovic exhaust. Did this come off a zx14? Does the 4 into 1 header from Akrapovic all bolt up correctly to the 14R? Guessing so
Sure it would be a wonderful first bike…..As long as you have just been told you have a terminal illness and only have 10 minutes left to live. And you’ve done everything on your bucket list except ride a hyper bike. In that case sure it would be a GREAT first bike! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE listen to what I'm about to say. I’ve been riding the better part of 30 years. If you want to start riding DO NOT BUY A BIKE FIRST!!! What you DO want to do is take a M.S.F. (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course. They provide the Gear and the Bikes to ride. Learn how to ride in a safe fun and cool environment FIRST before you even think of buying a bike. It’s not easy, and it takes a lot of work to get good at it. Look I know vids like this will make you dic hard (or mammary glands if that’s appropriate). But it only takes a minute mistake and a nurse will be sticking a catheter down you limp Jonson for the rest of your life. And starting out on a bike like this will kill you………No questions asked, No quarter given..
Venom2U I think he meant it as a joke :), Your right my first bike was a 400 and i rode that for many years then I purchased 1200 sport bike, now i own one of these and I to have been riding for 30 years! heck even the 600's today are to much bike! should start with an older bike because your sure to dump-it.
Best bike I've owned, there is an initial adjustment so like the opposite of most bikes where there is a honeymoon period but once you get through it I guarantee you will love this bike. I almost sold mine early in so happy I didn't , as of Oct. 2019 there is no other bike I would rather have for the 82 mile / day highway driving I do including the H2 and the Ducati,
I hope they take the styling and supercharger technology from the H2. And use it in a 1400 sport touring bike like this. Maybe 260HP out of the showroom. That would be incredible.
@@hingholo8027 No its not a supercharger. the ram air functions by sucking up air and forcing air into the airbox straight to its throttle body the faster you go the more air can be obtained the stronger the engine is but it's not a supercharger a supercharger obtains power from the crankcase through a pulley belt system. The H2R has both the ram air function and a supercharger system that's different
@@jasongc8v yeah but no point having ram air intake on a supercharged bike because the air has to go through the supercharger to get compressed then it goes into the intake I think you forgot how supercharger and intake works mate.
@@hingholo8027 It's almost the same function you could call it a poor mans supercharger but it's a Ram air system but for calling it a supercharger no it's not
same here,although i modded a few things,which only adds to the enjoyment.puts a mile wide smile on my face when i crack the throttle.i also have the zzr 1200.....big ol gal,but it still eats the miles.
They should have named it; "The Citation!" Back in the day; I used to ride a "Yamaha VMAX!" One day I was riding it all day, and it was a pleasure to ride! But you have have to be careful on those fast overpowered motorcycles! I got hungry, so I stopped at a restaurant, then as I was getting my plate together, (it was a buffet, but you still have to watch your back!) some guy came up behind me, and pulled a knife on me! I could tell he wasn't a professional or anything like that, because it still had butter on it!!..lol..!!
@@kktomm yes I did, you will miss the great handling and the brakes of the cbr1000rr are better, but the zx14 has a unique raw power, that torque and comfortable ride is very satisfying
This was back before the choked them out with ridiculous emissions restrictions! You could do a grand worth of work to one of these and hit 200mph easy! Run 9.2-9.3 quarter mile if not faster if you wanted to gear and mod to do so! Just a big beast of an engine with loads of torque and a big end that will rotate the earth a little! 😳
