RE: PH2 ridden: 2012 Kawasaki ZZR1400

[Steve Evil]

Dr Imran T said:

That's big - not a bike guru but 1400cc engine is a decent size. I am always very impressed how the engineers manage to install these engines into a bike frame.

The packaging is very very clever. Seems like a big bruiser of a bike though.

If you think that's big, you should have a look at Triumph's Rocket III:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_Rocket_III

2.3 litre triple, makes the ZZR1400 look positively svelte.

[Mike Tuckwood]

ZesPak said:

So they would actually be forcing him to buy the OEM panniers (it does have OEM panniers, doesn't it?). That's indeed completely and would put me off a brand forever instantly.

He wouldn't have minded that, (NO factory pannier option) they say they're not doing them now. Despite him making the dealer fully aware that he was planning on touring France this year on it from the off.
He's limited to 6Kg top box max and throwovers, which he's "very upset" about. Not what he wanted, and throwovers aren't great nor are they secure!
Nightmare!

I don't understand personally, if the sub-frame can carry me OK (17St dry), why can't they carry a bit of proper hard luggage. He won't have a passenger???


Mike.

Edited by Mike Tuckwood on Monday 30th July 16:07

[998420]

The Pits said:

A test ride of the astonishing new ZX10R confirmed why I like my ZZR1400 and the point of these 'hyperbikes'.

They are more suitable for larger riders, at over 6ft I feel great on a sports bike but look a bit daft. Every year the 1000's seem to get smaller. The other main benefit is stability. You get all the 1000cc adrenalin rush (surely what all ridiculously fast bikes are about?) without the 1000cc flighty bum clenching moments. Fewer wheelies and head waggling means more power can be applied with more confidence.

I'm no Casey Stoner but to my surprise I was quicker around Silverstone on my old ZX12R than on my GSXR 1000 K1 too (it pulled 165 down hangar straight versus 155 for the Suzuki!). Maybe the reverse would be true around somewhere like Cadwell but the bigger bike was the one to be on around Silverstone GP. So unless you are of above average ability I don't think full-on sports bikes are any quicker on the track. I'm sure things have moved on since the GSXR K1 but the (admittedly very exciting) flightiness of the 2012 sportsbikes I rode would slow me down on the track.

Hyperbikes are great, they are usefully more comfortable on longer runs, more stable with the afterburners on and are hugely better for pillions. That's enough for me. Would love a ZX10 in the garage too mind!

On the real road, a 1000cc sportsbike is a lot quicker in a lot of places than a hyperbike, especially driving out of a corner onto any fast straight, the hyperbikes only beat you in imaginary drag races or in comfort if you ride long distances. I am 6'6 and happily look like a monkey in a circus on my 1000, it is worth it for the "think it and you have done it" handling. IMO, on the track the difference is magnified, anything vaguely fat and wobbly ties itself in dangerous wobbly knots really quick.

[AV12]

What's a real road? This thing has torque everywhere.

Doesn't what you say depend on riding style?

[-crookedtail-]

I've no idea about bikes, and maybe they all have them but I do like the way this one has an outside temperature readout. I'm sure you'll know its bloody cold when your sat out in it.

[bobd]

Thought of one of these in 2008 and in 20011, but ended up on both occasions of going down the zx10r route. The latest one is the last of the line FAF performance editions, which I must say is a massively better handling and useable eveyday bike than the 2008 bike.
The new zx10r is far too small for my 6ft 2 frame having sat on one and doesnt feel as it would be as liveable with eveyday. Although not test ridden yet.
So next change might bring the zzr into contention, they do feel a bit long, but better looking than the Busa.
2008 bike

latest one

what next?
Power is good, you dont have to use it all the time, but its nice to know its there when you need it.

[The Pits]

998420 said:

On the real road, a 1000cc sportsbike is a lot quicker in a lot of places than a hyperbike, especially driving out of a corner onto any fast straight, the hyperbikes only beat you in imaginary drag races or in comfort if you ride long distances. I am 6'6 and happily look like a monkey in a circus on my 1000, it is worth it for the "think it and you have done it" handling. IMO, on the track the difference is magnified, anything vaguely fat and wobbly ties itself in dangerous wobbly knots really quick.

I had my ZX12R set up by someone who knew what they were doing but even out of the crate it handled very well, it was very much a scaled-up sportsbike. The ZZR1400 (ZX14R in the US) handles even better and turns and stops very quickly. It never feels heavy on the road and I've yet to ride it on the track but it's a lot closer to a sports bike than a sports tourer to ride. It's reckoned to be the best handling big bike so maybe it's distorting my opinion of them. Again, I'm no big shakes on the circuit but I've yet to find the limitations of the bigger bikes. Certainly on the ZX12R ground clearance was never an issue, nor was kneedown versus the GSXR1000. It's most likely that I'm not skilled enough to get the benefit of a modern 1000 but it makes me wonder how many other non japanese racer sized riders might actually be better off on a bigger bike.

[dowahdiddyman]

ffs awesome bit of kit and my mrs has just given me the incentive to loose some weight `Loose 5 stone and you can have one`. Just off now to empty the crap out the kitchen cupboards.

[BusaMK]

70 to 140 in three seconds though is just insane, I can't even imagine that. Sounds like a great future BEC engine.

[bogie]

BusaMK said:

70 to 140 in three seconds though is just insane, I can't even imagine that. Sounds like a great future BEC engine.

70-140 in 5 secs is a top gear roll on too ..

0-150mph in 10 secs is going to make a daily commute at 6am more interesting for sure

Edited by bogie on Tuesday 31st July 08:39

[CrammyJay]

It's 70-140 in 5secs.


Just saying

[Numeric]

I have a BMW R1200s and a mate has the S100RR - he's always saying I should have a go on his and I refuse saying I'd kill myself but there is another reason. My BMW could at best be described as "truck like" in its turning and I've always had a vision of my mate getting to the first corner on mine, flicking it in then being very surprised as it doesn't turn at all and drives straight through a hedge.

I really do get the sportsbike thing but for a very average biker like me I have an inkling the ZZR would be better. The stability is comforting while the power would get me out of those "oh sh*t wrong gear for this overtake" moment. I love the big kick in the pants but will never be a scratcher and frankly just like the thought of oodles of power which I hardly ever use. If you have a lot it's your choice - very little and you have no choice!!

But I ride boxer twins - sigh - condemed to eternal vibration!

[AV12]

I think of all the stats, it's the top gear roll-on which kills it.

I think Bike magazine (I'll need to dig it out to confirm) tested this 0-186mph in 16 seconds??!

[Biker's Nemesis]

The Pits said:

998420 said:

On the real road, a 1000cc sportsbike is a lot quicker in a lot of places than a hyperbike, especially driving out of a corner onto any fast straight, the hyperbikes only beat you in imaginary drag races or in comfort if you ride long distances. I am 6'6 and happily look like a monkey in a circus on my 1000, it is worth it for the "think it and you have done it" handling. IMO, on the track the difference is magnified, anything vaguely fat and wobbly ties itself in dangerous wobbly knots really quick.

I had my ZX12R set up by someone who knew what they were doing but even out of the crate it handled very well, it was very much a scaled-up sportsbike. The ZZR1400 (ZX14R in the US) handles even better and turns and stops very quickly. It never feels heavy on the road and I've yet to ride it on the track but it's a lot closer to a sports bike than a sports tourer to ride. It's reckoned to be the best handling big bike so maybe it's distorting my opinion of them. Again, I'm no big shakes on the circuit but I've yet to find the limitations of the bigger bikes. Certainly on the ZX12R ground clearance was never an issue, nor was kneedown versus the GSXR1000. It's most likely that I'm not skilled enough to get the benefit of a modern 1000 but it makes me wonder how many other non japanese racer sized riders might actually be better off on a bigger bike.

I still ride with a lad that could kick my arse on the road all day every day on his ZX12R while I was riding my 05 R1. This included bumpy back roads that a supermoto would be ideal for.

twizellb will confirm this about "The Coach" as we call him.

[BILL PAYER]

bobd said:

Thought of one of these in 2008 and in 20011, but ended up on both occasions of going down the zx10r route. The latest one is the last of the line FAF performance editions, which I must say is a massively better handling and useable eveyday bike than the 2008 bike.
The new zx10r is far too small for my 6ft 2 frame having sat on one and doesnt feel as it would be as liveable with eveyday. Although not test ridden yet.
So next change might bring the zzr into contention, they do feel a bit long, but better looking than the Busa.
2008 bike

latest one

what next?
Power is good, you dont have to use it all the time, but its nice to know its there when you need it.

I have a 2008 zx10r so hope you dont mind me asking in what respect is the green bike a better bike ?

[twizellb]

Biker's Nemesis said:

The Pits said:

998420 said:

On the real road, a 1000cc sportsbike is a lot quicker in a lot of places than a hyperbike, especially driving out of a corner onto any fast straight, the hyperbikes only beat you in imaginary drag races or in comfort if you ride long distances. I am 6'6 and happily look like a monkey in a circus on my 1000, it is worth it for the "think it and you have done it" handling. IMO, on the track the difference is magnified, anything vaguely fat and wobbly ties itself in dangerous wobbly knots really quick.

I had my ZX12R set up by someone who knew what they were doing but even out of the crate it handled very well, it was very much a scaled-up sportsbike. The ZZR1400 (ZX14R in the US) handles even better and turns and stops very quickly. It never feels heavy on the road and I've yet to ride it on the track but it's a lot closer to a sports bike than a sports tourer to ride. It's reckoned to be the best handling big bike so maybe it's distorting my opinion of them. Again, I'm no big shakes on the circuit but I've yet to find the limitations of the bigger bikes. Certainly on the ZX12R ground clearance was never an issue, nor was kneedown versus the GSXR1000. It's most likely that I'm not skilled enough to get the benefit of a modern 1000 but it makes me wonder how many other non japanese racer sized riders might actually be better off on a bigger bike.

I still ride with a lad that could kick my arse on the road all day every day on his ZX12R while I was riding my 05 R1. This included bumpy back roads that a supermoto would be ideal for.

twizellb will confirm this about "The Coach" as we call him.

Confirmed.