Smittys' Kwaka ZX14 review....

[Smitty]

despite a messed up Saturday, I managed to get a test ride of the ZX14
not for as long as I wanted but 2 hours was all I could fit in
and thanks to Brighton Kwaka for making the bike available

first thoughts.....

FI races engine on cold start up (and so, it pig roots when you first ride off)
idle speed is too high of course but its fine when warm.

the seating/rider position is perfect for me...at 5'10"
and slightly less sporty than the 12..the foot pegs are lower
I looked at the screen and thought there is not much protection there...and so it turns out
...its a low screen with a bump up in the middle
The screen on the 12 protects the rider better
The seat is comfy but not having any decent pillion grab...is stoopid :vpo:
Riders must buy the accessory grabs. seat height is surprising low...

riding off...????
clutch is light (hydraulic v cable on the 12) and after adjusting the lever span...very easy to work
throttle..???
exactly the same as my ZX12r in feel and use
brakes..??
the radial fronts on the 14 I found hard to work properly.
It might have been this example but they were either off or ...on! It took all the ride and I still did not feel comfortable with them, locking the front wheel on a white line :shock: as I tried to slow to exit the freeway. These front brakes had none of the feel of the B Series 12 I test rode last year and imo ...are nowhere as good as the 6potters on my 12.
The back brake..is nearly useless...like my 12.
Suspension...???
worked a treat for me (weight 83kgs) over railway crossings, at speed on the freeway and in the suburbs
I rode. The longer wheelbase and small rear tyre (NO tramlining here) made tipping it into street
corners or faster ones (80kmh roads) a breeze. I found the 14 required not a lot of weighting to tip in
...counter steer and the bike tips in nicely..at low or high speed.
You do become aware of the bikes weight doing feet up u-turns or other low speed manouvers..like footpath parking.
other...???
You do notice the width of the bike (it is wider than the 12..see Pics)
the mirrors are bad....small and difficult to show anything but elbows
it is quiet ..and that is both good and bad. Those mufflers must weight heaps!

and finally...grunt?
ample is the saying :flip2:
seat of the pants..??? will go as hard as a 12..or if you like the 12 is as fast as a ZX14 .
The yanks are quoting high nines for ¼ mile times.....stock!
The 14 will pull the front wheel up ..on throttle in 1st gear and with its weight..thats sez it goes.
The bloke in the Alfa Selespeed never had a chance. :lol:

Summary...
the bike is for those who like ZZR1100s or similar and want a 12r or Gixxerthou but with a bit more comfort or want to take a pillion....to Qld. :bravo: It won't satisfy those who have a ZX10 (too big and not as fast) or a ZX6r (too big and not nimble enuff even if quicker). Some wanting to upgrade from a ZX7 to something faster and newer will like it.
For what its worth, I do not like the rear end of the bike..its blah...
Also, some might say..its Kawasaki's 'Busa...
but its better than that

overall??..still a bloody good Kawasaki sportsbike!



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cheers

[Vulture]

Great review. As I age these sort of bikes look more and more tempting. Something with comfort for the longer ride would be nice but not look like a Goldwing.

[Dave Cooper]

G,Day Smithy.
I havnt rode the 14 yet, so what did you think about the wind noise around the helmet?
I sat on one the other day and thought it may produce some drumming around the helmet , just looking at the hight of the screen.
Thanks Mate.
Coop............over.

[Sonnymad]

Damn,that zx14 will be a awsome machine,i could imagine how effortless it will be to ride and very comfortable :)

regards sonny

[SS Sportswagon]

Ugly Ugly Ugly

[Road Warrior]

Ugly Ugly Ugly

It is meant to be ugly because it is a true beast.

True beasts are meant to be ugly.

EDIT: Looks like they have finally done away with the centrestand??

[SUX350]

to heavy but they have got some get up and go for kwaka.

[Satansfist]

Is that the first time you've ridden a bike with radial mounted calipers Smitty?

[Smitty]

G,Day Smithy.
I havnt rode the 14 yet, so what did you think about the wind noise around the helmet?
I sat on one the other day and thought it may produce some drumming around the helmet , just looking at the hight of the screen.
Thanks Mate.
Coop............over.

no problem with helmet noise just smoothness

the difference between the 12 and 14 is where wind over the screen hits
at speed
...at my height the wind just seems to support the
face/head and helmet at freeway speeds on the 12R

the 14? the wind hits the chest area and seems to cause a bit of buffeting
of the helmet (airflow not as smooth?)

hth

cheers


Is that the first time you've ridden a bike with radial mounted calipers Smitty?

no mate
I have ridden ZX6Rs Zx10Rs and B model Zx12Rs
all which have radial calipers

my preference on a bike (any bike) is for the front brake
NOT have any initial snatch or grab when you first grab the lever
...hate that in fact (its a recipe for disaster in the wet or on lines)
and then a smooth powerful retardation (1 or 2 finger job)
that you can control (to the point of lock up)

hth

cheers

[RATTLER]

I've just purchased a Blue 2007 ZX14 Ninja..... and man, I couldn't be any happier with the purchase!!
After owning the '98 ZX9.... this thing is awesome!! I'm 6'5" and weigh 110kgs and this thing I can throw around like a 900!!!!
I've only done 400kms on it in a week, so still have 400kms at max 4000rpm and then the next 200kms at a max of 6000rpm! Then the 1st service is done..... and then look out!!!!
Will keep you updated on how she is going!!

Scotty

P.S. I've named her Flash!! :)