ZX14 versus Hayabusa

[Mrs Busa Pete]

I wonder when the next lot will arrive?

We where told mid june /july

[Quasievil]

We where told mid june /july

So in Kawasaki Language thats November ???

[imdying]

Nurburing lap times. Pretty good for a sport tourer.

*snip* a short list of bikes and boring cages

Not really the best choice of tracks to show it's 'speed'... the Ring like the Isle of Mann is as much about the rider as the bike. What's it do round Phillip Island?

[Titanium]

Not really the best choice of tracks to show it's 'speed'... the Ring like the Isle of Mann is as much about the rider as the bike. What's it do round Phillip Island?

Ahhhhh I see..... it is ALL about speed.......

[imdying]

If you're comparing lap times, then yes? One thing to note with those Ring times is the top bike. It's clearly not the fastest. That points to a couple of things:
- It's not like for like; some of those bikes may have been race bikes, i.e. race VFR vs std R1?
- The rider at that track is more important, thus those time are really a comparison of riders, not bikes
- Local knowledge at that rack is more important, thus those time are really a comparison of riders, not bikes

So yeah, those prove nothing... You will also note that 'speed' is in hyphens, which indicates that when I've put speed, I don't mean outright speed. Of course if we're comparing lap times, then I guess in your mind is indeed ALL about speed....

[jafa]

Apparently they handle pretty well!....Sorry, couldn't resist! I agree, though. I haven't topped out my GSX-F either. Sad, eh? Or maybe I just enjoy riding it around our roads and I'm careful where I stretch its legs. Anyone done 300km/h around the Coro loop? I've asked before, how frustrating is it to ride on public roads a bike that does over 160km/h in FIRST gear!?

Funnily enough I don't find it frustrating riding a 300km/h missle (ZX12R)... so far! I think it's an odd mix of maturity (yeah, right), a healthy respect for the bike, valuing my drivers licence and fearing an abrupt end to my life that keeps me in check.

Nonetheless, I wandered out to that beautiful straight at the back of Hunua a couple days ago to check out what 'full throttle' felt like. I rode up and down the straight to check all was ok then nailed it in 3rd gear. The word 'ferocity' came to mind. I was doing 220km/h before I knew it. Holy sh*t. On the way home I thought it would be a waste of a bike if I didn't take it to the track at some point... How often can you get away with a blat on the public road before being nabbed?

Anyway, I haven't done the Coro loop yet but don't expect to be doing it at 300km/h. I haven't ridden to any extent yet so can't comment on the handling of the ZX - a 7 year gap between bikes means my confidence and competency needs a little time to warm up...!

[Sensei]

Now this is a Sweet looking BMW 1200 & would do a quick lap in this state of tune

[imdying]

Oh yeah, that'd put a horn on a jellyfish

[Sensei]

how frustrating is it to ride on public roads a bike that does over 160km/h in FIRST gear!?

Not as much as not been able to do it in TOP gear

[Edbear]

Funnily enough I don't find it frustrating riding a 300km/h missle (ZX12R)... so far! I think it's an odd mix of maturity (yeah, right), a healthy respect for the bike, valuing my drivers licence and fearing an abrupt end to my life that keeps me in check.

Nonetheless, I wandered out to that beautiful straight at the back of Hunua a couple days ago to check out what 'full throttle' felt like. I rode up and down the straight to check all was ok then nailed it in 3rd gear. The word 'ferocity' came to mind. I was doing 220km/h before I knew it. Holy sh*t. On the way home I thought it would be a waste of a bike if I didn't take it to the track at some point... How often can you get away with a blat on the public road before being nabbed?

Anyway, I haven't done the Coro loop yet but don't expect to be doing it at 300km/h. I haven't ridden to any extent yet so can't comment on the handling of the ZX - a 7 year gap between bikes means my confidence and competency needs a little time to warm up...!

Appreciate the comments from an owner! I guess I'd love to ride a truly fast bike, but as with you, I'm very aware of my limitations just yet! You've got to try the Coro, soon! One corner is signposted at 15km/h! That loop gives the upper body a real good workout, I can assure you! I like the fact that on roads such as that, one can have a lot of fun at legal speeds without needing to do 160+. Blackbird may disagree but I think ZX12's and the like would be better suited to places like the back blocks of Reporoa/ Rerewhakaitu, etc. (Oops! Hope I haven't given away someone's secret "private road"!)

[Blackbird]

Appreciate the comments from an owner! I guess I'd love to ride a truly fast bike, but as with you, I'm very aware of my limitations just yet! You've got to try the Coro, soon! One corner is signposted at 15km/h! That loop gives the upper body a real good workout, I can assure you! I like the fact that on roads such as that, one can have a lot of fun at legal speeds without needing to do 160+. Blackbird may disagree but I think ZX12's and the like would be better suited to places like the back blocks of Reporoa/ Rerewhakaitu, etc. (Oops! Hope I haven't given away someone's secret "private road"!)

Blabbermouth I use the big straight from Rainbow Mountain towards Murapara as a personal test track for top speed. Oh, and the 'bird is fine for the Coro Loop as I have a ride height spacer under the rear shock. Still not as nimble as a pure sports bike though. Our house is only 3 km from the big hill behind Coromandel Town so I get plenty of practice

[The Stranger:Me]

The Busa is a pretty low tech beast, it's a brutal hammer more than a sharpe blade... but that's part of it's charm of course.

In what way is it a brutal hammer?
Only ridden one once but fealt that it was an awesome piece of work.
Well behaved and easy to ride around town.
Not really heavy at all, even by todays standards.
The weight feels very low anyway.
The power is awesome and comes on progressively.
The handling is incredible for a sport tourer.
Capable of huge speeds.


Personally I would have thought none of those traits suggest a brutal hammer.

[Edbear]

Sorry, mate!

Blabbermouth I use the big straight from Rainbow Mountain towards Murapara as a personal test track for top speed.

And...???

[Blackbird]

Sorry, mate!

And...???

Errr.... I prefer to keep my friendship with Bykey Cop thanks

[imdying]

In what way is it a brutal hammer?
Only ridden one once but fealt that it was an awesome piece of work.
Well behaved and easy to ride around town.
Not really heavy at all, even by todays standards.
The weight feels very low anyway.
The power is awesome and comes on progressively.
The handling is incredible for a sport tourer.
Capable of huge speeds.


Personally I would have thought none of those traits suggest a brutal hammer.

Brutal hammer isn't a detraction from the bike... it's just a metaphor for the weight, the huge torque, and lower state of tune (bhp/cc) when compared to the 'sharp blades' like the GSXR1000 and ZX10Rs of the world. The weight sure does feel low down though... 215kg dry, doesn't feel over 200kg.