The battle continues! Busa v ZX14

**Edbear** · 1st May 2013, 22:20

I just watched a video of both bikes on what was said to be Yatabe Proving Ground showing onboard acceleration and top speeds.

Apart from the absolutely insane acceleration where the speedo needles wound far too fast around he dial to 300km/h, both bikes sat at redline of 11,000rpm and held it there.

I was watching on my iPhone so too small to read speed but I can recall a thread some time ago where we worked out the gearing on a Busa and it was doing 325km/h at redline.

Anyone know the gearing on both current bikes as to their top speeds at redline?

**Ender EnZed** · 2nd May 2013, 00:54

Gearing Commander suggests that both bikes would be doing 324km/h at their 11000rpm redlines.

**Edbear** · 2nd May 2013, 06:51

Originally Posted by Ender EnZed

Gearing Commander suggests that both bikes would be doing 324km/h at their 11000rpm redlines.

That's the site I was trying to remember, thanks. The way they held those revs all the way around suggests they could each pull a higher gear. It would be interesting to see the absolute max they could achieve. Would the higher power of the ZX14 overcome the aerodynamic advantage of the Busa?

**manxkiwi** · 2nd May 2013, 09:48

Don't forget wheel slip/spin. Bruce Anstey supposedly did 206mph at the NW200. But the techs said (something like) 8 or 9mph was lost to slip. So he 'only' did 198mph!!!!

Impressive though, both Bruce and the two bikes you're speaking of.

**Edbear** · 2nd May 2013, 09:56

Originally Posted by manxkiwi

Don't forget wheel slip/spin. Bruce Anstey supposedly did 206mph at the NW200. But the techs said (something like) 8 or 9mph was lost to slip. So he 'only' did 198mph!!!!

Impressive though, both Bruce and the two bikes you're speaking of.

No argument there!

It would be interesting to know about the slip issue. It was a banked oval track with two very long straights and it seemed as though both bikes were hindered by gearing along each straight, like they were bored and wanting to go faster. The Busa in particular was starting to over-rev into the red, where the ZX14 just solidly sat on 11,000rpm without budging.

**The Reibz** · 2nd May 2013, 11:53

Always going to be a massive debate about this topic. Personally I have never ridden a zx14r so can't really have an opinion on what they are like (they look fucken ugly from the front though).

Busa has a nicer sounding engine, actually sounds like its going fast where as the zx14r sounds like it has a bit more left in it. Taken mine for a 6th gear pull all the way to 280kph (speedo indicated) and the bike was still stable as hell, honestly one of the best handling bikes i've been on. Was either going to get the busa, or the zx12r. Glad I settled on the busa because its a bloody nice bike to tour on as well.

Dont know what the aftermarket scene is like for the zx14r but you can pretty much get anything you want for the busa.
Gonna turbo mine one day, just to say I did it.

**Edbear** · 2nd May 2013, 14:56

Originally Posted by The Reibz

Always going to be a massive debate about this topic. Personally I have never ridden a zx14r so can't really have an opinion on what they are like (they look fucken ugly from the front though).

Busa has a nicer sounding engine, actually sounds like its going fast where as the zx14r sounds like it has a bit more left in it. Taken mine for a 6th gear pull all the way to 280kph (speedo indicated) and the bike was still stable as hell, honestly one of the best handling bikes i've been on. Was either going to get the busa, or the zx12r. Glad I settled on the busa because its a bloody nice bike to tour on as well.

Dont know what the aftermarket scene is like for the zx14r but you can pretty much get anything you want for the busa.
Gonna turbo mine one day, just to say I did it.

I wonder why the others don't try to match these two? I have always been a Busa fan, but have to acknowledge the ZX14's capabilities. A comfy sport tourer that just happens to double as a hyper-bike, or vice versa according to one tester.

I'm not fussed on the 14's styling either, to be honest.

**kiwifruit** · 2nd May 2013, 16:09

Neither will do 300kmh in stock trim.

300kmh indicated, sure!

**bucket boy** · 2nd May 2013, 16:34

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

Neither will do 300kmh in stock trim.

300kmh indicated, sure!

Like you said mr fruity my 2007 14 has a 340 kph speedo fitted did 317 at cliffhanger sprints actuall reading 283.bike had done about 1000ks from new I think.

**kiwifruit** · 2nd May 2013, 16:37

I did 299 actual on a 04 busa (at the cliffhanger) with pipes, filter and PC. Speedo was over 340. Just on redline in top.

**Edbear** · 2nd May 2013, 17:36

They are factory restricted to 300km/h. These were derestricted and also I asked about the gearing to get the true speed.

Speedo readings can certainly be way over optimistic.

**kiwifruit** · 2nd May 2013, 18:39

The busa I rode was derestricted. Redline in top is around 345 on the speedo (hard to tell, it's past the last number by a fair way). Do all the sums you like, it's not going to do 300+ without serious mods (lowering + NOS / Forced induction)

**Katman** · 2nd May 2013, 19:05

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

The busa I rode was derestricted. Redline in top is around 345 on the speedo (hard to tell, it's past the last number by a fair way). Do all the sums you like, it's not going to do 300+ without serious mods (lowering + NOS / Forced induction)

You better not be questioning Edbear's research!