Monday 30th July 2012

PH2 ridden: 2012 Kawasaki ZZR1400

It's excess all areas as PH2 tests the 2012 ZZR1400...

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There is something gloriously ridiculous about hyperbikes such as the Kawasaki ZZR1400. It is hard enough to justify the reasons for owning a sports bike that has 180hp and can hit over 180mph, but you can always use the excuse of wanting to ride it on track to exploit its full potential. What excuse can you use for a bike with over 200hp that will merrily slap into its 186mph limiter within a few short miles? "I'm a regular user of the unrestricted German autobahns" isn't going to convince anyone...

Calm and peaceful setting for a loopy bike

Fast master
Kawasaki has always prided itself in building ludicrously fast hyperbikes. The ZZR1100, launched back in 1990, was the first of the 180mph busting breed. After trundling along for several years it was updated to the ugly but good ZZR1200 before a brief hiatus and the new style ZZR1400 emerged in 2006. Now in its second generation, the ZZR1400 has been updated for 2012 with more power (like it was lacking...) and a host of electronic gubbins.

The expanded 1,441cc engine has a 4mm longer stroke than before with increased torque and power and a few internal changes to improve performance. Apparently the acceleration of the old bike wasn't quite scary enough because, as well as boosting power, Kawasaki has down-geared the ZZR - nice. The monocoque chassis is redesigned for improved handling and ABS, traction control and power modes are fitted to help you modulate the craziness. Though Kawasaki doesn't quote figures you are looking at a genuine rear wheel figure of 197hp and 120lb ft of torque. On a bike that is so much about image, you would have thought Kawasaki would have been screaming from the rooftops about touching 200hp.

Speedo hard to read, which is a problem...

The emperor's new clothes
With hyperbikes it is all about the engine and the Kawasaki's lump is simply staggering. Mind-bendingly fast in every single gear with a surge of acceleration that simply doesn't give up - even in top gear. Given suitable environs - not your local bypass, we should hasten to add - the ZZR will accelerate hard through the gears to the top side of 180mph before you even notice what's happening. In top at 70mph you can count two seconds to 100mph and about three more to whip through 140mph. So that's two seconds to get banned and less than five to end up in jail with a new friend looking at you while nursing a trouser tent. That's a scary prospect. Which is the slight issue with the ZZR.

When you are riding the ZZR it is simply too easy to speed without noticing it. You can pull out to overtake a lorry and the next thing you know you are at 120mph. The engine is so powerful and the chassis so stable in a straight line that silly speeds are hit without any warning - something not helped by the speedo. The ZZR has always had a fondness for analogue and not digital displays on its speedo and they are a clutter of numbers. The gap between the digits is too small and it's hard to tell if you are going 70, 80 or even 110mph at a quick glance. And see how far that gets you in mitigation in front of the magistrate.

ZZR has always been about the big numbers

Too much of a good thing?
Setting the motor aside it's hard to argue much of a case for a hyperbike like this. Big lads like them for the extra power but, aside from that, the reasons for riding one seem a little limited. Though more relaxed than a sports bike the riding position isn't that comfortable for distance work and there are better places for racking up the miles, excellent Versys 1000 among them. In order to build in stability to the bike the ZZR is long, low and certainly less sporty than the Versys. In fast sweeping corners the ZZR is rock stable, but through tighter bends it feels long and takes effort to turn. It is in no way a bad handling bike, it just isn't that quick steering and errs of the side of stability rather than agility.

ZZR owners past and present will rave about the monster torque and power of the engine. If this is your thing then the new ZZR1400 certainly has this by the bucketful and the addition of traction control and ABS can only be a good thing. But a proper tourer like a Versys, BMW GS, Triumph Explorer or KTM SMT is more comfortable and certainly fast enough up to 100mph. Having said that, it's bloody good fun to let a ZZR off its leash every now and then ... in a controlled environment on a closed road, naturally...

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KAWASAKI ZZR1400
Engine: 1441cc 4-cyl
Power: 197hp@10,000rpm
Torque: 120lb ft@ 7,500rpm
Top speed: 186mph (restricted)
Weight: 265kg (dry)
MPG: 45
Price: £11,499

[MrTappets]

Not being familiar with bike specs 265kg dry seems quite a lot to be, but then considering what goes into the things I guess it's not too surprising. Interesting to see what these types of bikes can do in Harris' last video.

[walsh]

Any fag packet maths guru's have a guess at how quick these could go with no limiter and appropriate gearing?

[ZesPak]

MrTappets said:

Not being familiar with bike specs 265kg dry seems quite a lot to be, but then considering what goes into the things I guess it's not too surprising. Interesting to see what these types of bikes can do in Harris' last video.

Hmm it's just a little more than for example the VFR1200F, which is often praised for it's handling.
And it's not as much as the true tourers.

But, as the article states, it's a "hyperbike", all about big numbers, which it provides evidently.
I couldn't get on with the looks and, again as the article states, most bikes will be plenty fast enough anyway.

[LordFlathead]

walsh said:

Any fag packet maths guru's have a guess at how quick these could go with no limiter and appropriate gearing?

Anywhere between 204 and 207 depending on the model age and the size of your cuhana's

[CBR JGWRR]

Aren't they working on supercharging it?

[wormburner]

What is a monocoque chassis in the context of a motorcycle?

[ZesPak]

CBR JGWRR said:

Aren't they working on supercharging it?

They have a bit of a catch 22 problem though, the only riders they find that want to have a go can't fit on the seat because of their massive bks

[CBR JGWRR]

ZesPak said:

CBR JGWRR said:

Aren't they working on supercharging it?

They have a bit of a catch 22 problem though, the only riders they find that want to have a go can't fit on the seat because of their massive bks

I would go on it, can't be that difficult to ride with at least 250 bhp...



highsides in 3 seconds...

[J B L]

CBR JGWRR said:

Aren't they working on supercharging it?

I think these were the rumours before it came out.

[Sivraj]

I remember going to a local bike meet when these were first released and spying a nitrous bottle on a brand new bike,
I asked myself what type of person decides that a ZZR1400 just isn’t fast enough?

I'd love to be able to remember a fantastic quotation in Performance Bikes when they road tested the ZZR1100 in Scotland and described the acceleration as 'Grabbing hold of the horizon, crumpling it up in a ball and throwing it behind you and before you knew it you aren't were you thought you were you're were you wanted to be and travelling towards somewhere else' (anybody got a copy of that article?).

I think it’s pointless to try and justify why you would ride a bike of this performance,
It’s the same as asking why you would drive a Ferrari or Bugatti,
It’s just because you can (and for a relatively small amount of money!!!)

Keep up the good works,
We need another power war like the one between the Blackbird, the ZZR and the Busa!!!

[The Pits]

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!

[ZesPak]

The Pits said:

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.

Another reason for me to go for the VFR1200F rather than -for example- a CBR1000 at a similar or even lower price.
A lot of power but very deployable and honestly all I'll ever need. Take a look at the most recent Drive video with Chris Harris (GT2 RS vs Panignale). Great all that power, especially to upset even experienced riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zb1j8FmW74

That thing looks frightening to open the throttle on (which, I agree, is part of the fun but still...).

[PILCH 23]

ZesPak said:

The Pits said:

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.

Another reason for me to go for the VFR1200F rather than -for example- a CBR1000 at a similar or even lower price.
A lot of power but very deployable and honestly all I'll ever need. Take a look at the most recent Drive video with Chris Harris (GT2 RS vs Panignale). Great all that power, especially to upset even experienced riders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zb1j8FmW74

That thing looks frightening to open the throttle on (which, I agree, is part of the fun but still...).

I agree with much of the above. Hyper sports tourers make good all round bikes and have pace to match the superbikes but are easier to enjoy and more comfortable. I could ride my Blackbird for hours comfortably. They are very very fast, good for sports touring, capable of taking luggage and pillions and pretty useful for commuting too (unlike the infilterable GS).

I know Jon refers to 'But a proper tourer like a Versys, BMW GS, Triumph Explorer or KTM SMT' but they aren't direct comparables (and not are they actually specifically tourers like the K1600, Pan, RT etc...)

I would advise that the VFR1200F needs to be ridden before purchase because it is admittedly fast but rather dull to ride or listen to.

I really fancy one of these ZZRs. Must test ride soon.

[PILCH 23]

183 mph achieved in less than 1,800 metres!

It is quicker than the S1000RR, which in turn is faster than the Panigale! And no doubt much easier to launch too thanks to the wheelbase and weight.

[ZesPak]

PILCH 23 said:

I would advise that the VFR1200F needs to be ridden before purchase because it is admittedly fast but rather dull to ride or listen to.

Hmm disagree. It does have a flapper valve (which is easily "disabled" ) that dims the sound at low revs. With it open, or with a nice DAM exhaust the V4 howl sounds amazing imho.
I've ridden the K1300S as well (very similar bike in many aspects) and that I4 was actually the dull one of the two.

Better fuel economy though, if that's your thing .

Edit: I'm a bit ashamed to say I dismissed the ZZR based on looks alone

Edited by ZesPak on Monday 30th July 14:54

[Twinair]

I went to Morpeth on the back of my dads ZZR1100 on the A1 in the early '90's - we missed the exit, twice, once going north and once going back south. I get the point of them. I blame the parents. :-))

[Mike Tuckwood]

My mate just bought one of these, fully optioned up, velocity stacks, Twin Akro silencers (£1,800), and Kawasaki have today told him he can't fit panniers/top box without voiding his warranty. Shame as he bought it to go to France on with me (K1300GT SE EE), in August.

So, a sports tourer that Kawasaki won;t allow you to tour on. :-o


Mike

[mrdelmonti]

Mike Tuckwood said:

My mate just bought one of these, fully optioned up, velocity stacks, Twin Akro silencers (£1,800), and Kawasaki have today told him he can't fit panniers/top box without voiding his warranty. Shame as he bought it to go to France on with me (K1300GT SE EE), in August.

So, a sports tourer that Kawasaki won;t allow you to tour on. :-o


Mike

That can't be right.

[ZesPak]

mrdelmonti said:

Mike Tuckwood said:

My mate just bought one of these, fully optioned up, velocity stacks, Twin Akro silencers (£1,800), and Kawasaki have today told him he can't fit panniers/top box without voiding his warranty. Shame as he bought it to go to France on with me (K1300GT SE EE), in August.

So, a sports tourer that Kawasaki won;t allow you to tour on. :-o


Mike

That can't be right.

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.

[Dr Imran T]

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.