ZX14 versus Hayabusa

**jafa** · 30th May 2006, 13:02

Originally Posted by Edbear

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"!)

Ooooh yes. The Coro loop is high on my list. I doubt I'll be anywhere near getting my knee down but it'll be an awesome ride regardless (I've drooled over bikes at the Pepper Tree too many times - it's my turn now!)

Anyway, I'm biding my time until I'm 'back in the groove'. I'm sure old man Blackbird would be keen for a cruise... and maybe a cup of tea at the end of it.

**Blackbird** · 30th May 2006, 13:19

Originally Posted by jafa

I'm sure old man Blackbird would be keen for a cruise... and maybe a cup of tea at the end of it.

Ya cheeky young bugger

Always game for a ride and a cuppa/bite to eat at our place goes without saying for non-lippy people. I'm up there this weekend but most of the w/e is reserved for painting. Too many cages about on a long weekend anyway!

**Lou Girardin** · 30th May 2006, 13:36

Originally Posted by Sensei

Have had my GSXR K3 Hit top gear limiter chasing a guy up here on his Busa on a road I know very well & still could only keep up . This road is fairly twisty with alot of up & down corners so yes Busa's handle bloody well freaked be out how fast they can go around tight corner at high speed . They raced the Busa in the USA as well . Just since you asked thought an answer would be nice >

You're one of the reasons I said few.

**Lou Girardin** · 30th May 2006, 13:39

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Blabbermouth

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

That's brave, the cops always used to use that as a hunting ground.

**Blackbird** · 30th May 2006, 13:47

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

That's brave, the cops always used to use that as a hunting ground.

Yep, no-one should run fast down there after 9am on Sundays. Have never seen any on Saturday mornings. Detectors aren't going to help at those speeds either and there's nowhere to run.

The straights between the Atiamuri Bridge on SH1 and the Whakamaru Dam alongside the river are also good due to low traffic density.

**beyond** · 30th May 2006, 14:50

Originally Posted by jafa

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...!

Yep, the straight at the back of Hunua is a good un. Bit lumpy in places which is no good at speed as it kind of launches you into the air at precarious moments.
I've had the 1400 up to 253kmh with my face near the dials. Moving a lot of air mass on a naked 1400.
Had 230kmh two up with a larger mate on the back. pretty quick when you have no failring but lots of fun too.

**beyond** · 30th May 2006, 14:54

Originally Posted by jafa

Ooooh yes. The Coro loop is high on my list. I doubt I'll be anywhere near getting my knee down but it'll be an awesome ride regardless (I've drooled over bikes at the Pepper Tree too many times - it's my turn now!)

Anyway, I'm biding my time until I'm 'back in the groove'. I'm sure old man Blackbird would be keen for a cruise... and maybe a cup of tea at the end of it.

Ohh, the Coro loop. Drool drool, dribble dribble. Here we are stuck at work while the Coro loop beckons once again.
It's got to be the best bit of road in NZ for bikes, especially the bit from Whitianga to Coromandel.

Love the Coro Loop. Could do it every weekend, no sweat if commitments and wifey wasn't calling.

**jafa** · 30th May 2006, 15:12

Originally Posted by beyond

Yep, the straight at the back of Hunua is a good un. Bit lumpy in places which is no good at speed as it kind of launches you into the air at precarious moments.
I've had the 1400 up to 253kmh with my face near the dials. Moving a lot of air mass on a naked 1400.
Had 230kmh two up with a larger mate on the back. pretty quick when you have no failring but lots of fun too.

Ha ha ha! Yes, damn lumpy in places! I experienced my first (and so far only) tank-slapper on my FZR1000 years ago hooning down that road. Scared the living crap out of me.

I assume KB organises the occasional track-day? I think a blat now and again on a track may keep my urges in check. I'll keep my eye out, so to speak...

**Titanium** · 30th May 2006, 17:20

How about a 250 hp turbo version ..... an $8,000 euro conversion, but.

Or the SBK version ......

cheers

**imdying** · 30th May 2006, 17:26

Originally Posted by BMWK1200S

How about a 250 hp turbo version ..... an $8,000 euro conversion, but.

Or the SBK version ......

cheers

Ummm, yes please!

**SPman** · 30th May 2006, 17:28

Comparo http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompa...ng/index.motml

The ZX-14 is clearly a better bike.

All three testers noted its comfort, smooth motor and gearbox, great comfort level and wind protection, as well as the way it accelerates like a bullet train launched off a cliff. It has a smooth, integrated, flowing design that looks great and attracts plenty of attention, and it's got a seamless, well-designed quality to it that befits a flagship-level motorcycle like this. It's the most expensive Kawasaki sportbike at $11,499, and well-heeled consumers expect a flawless and freshly-styled bike to gaze on in their roomy, spotless and well-lit garages. The `Busa was a bit ahead on the twisty roads...

171 BHP vs 159 BHP for the busa.
"
As an all-around motorcycle, the ZX-14 is clearly the best choice, but we have new respect for what is probably one of the best heavyweight sportsters made, a bike deserving of legend status. What is exciting is the thought of an updated Hayabusa for 2007 or 2008, a bike that refines and smoothes the bike to improve power, comfort and braking, but retains the light feel and touch that make the big Suzuki a pleasure to hustle down a twisty road. Until that day, the ZX-14 is the bike to have in this category, although owning a `Busa is still pretty cool. Like in many other categories, you can't go wrong with either Rocket Tourer.

**Titanium** · 30th May 2006, 17:32

Originally Posted by 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....

Yeah buy the looks of it some might have been race bikes and some not ...

Looks like a mix of Race, Hyper sports, sports tourers .... just like this thread... and about riders..... just lke this thread, racers, sports bike riders, sports tourers .... just like local knowledge of a piece of road that someone on a sports tourer may ride better than some one on a hyper sports who does not now the road.

So it still proves nothing, was not meant to ... was just a bit of information about different bikes and riders on the same road / track. Oh and to show that the BMW K1200S and the rider on that day could hold his own.

**Titanium** · 30th May 2006, 17:40

Originally Posted by SPman

Comparo http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompa...ng/index.motml

The ZX-14 is clearly a better bike.

All three testers noted its comfort, smooth motor and gearbox, great comfort level and wind protection, as well as the way it accelerates like a bullet train launched off a cliff. It has a smooth, integrated, flowing design that looks great and attracts plenty of attention, and it's got a seamless, well-designed quality to it that befits a flagship-level motorcycle like this. It's the most expensive Kawasaki sportbike at $11,499, and well-heeled consumers expect a flawless and freshly-styled bike to gaze on in their roomy, spotless and well-lit garages. The `Busa was a bit ahead on the twisty roads...

171 BHP vs 159 BHP for the busa.
"
As an all-around motorcycle, the ZX-14 is clearly the best choice, but we have new respect for what is probably one of the best heavyweight sportsters made, a bike deserving of legend status. What is exciting is the thought of an updated Hayabusa for 2007 or 2008, a bike that refines and smoothes the bike to improve power, comfort and braking, but retains the light feel and touch that make the big Suzuki a pleasure to hustle down a twisty road. Until that day, the ZX-14 is the bike to have in this category, although owning a `Busa is still pretty cool. Like in many other categories, you can't go wrong with either Rocket Tourer.

Best choice of 2 motorcycles....... sweet.

Link to a more comprehensive test posted earlier in this thread

http://www.zx14ninja.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=719

http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewth...ime=1147552583

Happy reading.

Peter