ZX-14 Review (Comprehensive) Part 2

[Toast]

0-180mph in 18.9 seconds...impressive

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Articl...ID=3504&Page=1

(see page 5)

Nice write-up Beyond.

[V Twin Raver]

There's a recently new ZX14 in Spectrum. The owner took it away all happy and proud, then brought it back a couple of days later, minus a license. Again. Astonishingly quick bikes..

thats probably this guy here;

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...582&key=113073

[kawa]

I own one, if you intend to get one protect the radiator with a guard. At 2200 Km's I put a stone into radiator and had to leave bike at Kopu. Now fixed and back doing what I love.

[Scouse]

I own one, if you intend to get one protect the radiator with a guard. At 2200 Km's I put a stone into radiator and had to leave bike at Kopu. Now fixed and back doing what I love.

Ooo Nasty Grant Hope it wasn't to expensive to fix

[degrom]

good write up there..

There's a recently new ZX14 in Spectrum. The owner took it away all happy and proud, then brought it back a couple of days later, minus a license. Again. Astonishingly quick bikes..

Oh,no! Then I can get one!!! I am begin to make it a habit now,getting a ticket on the first night out with a new toy...

[terbang]

I own one, if you intend to get one protect the radiator with a guard. At 2200 Km's I put a stone into radiator and had to leave bike at Kopu. Now fixed and back doing what I love.

Ooh Aaah it was a good ride though eh...
On a more serious note, all those modern bikes, GSXZZRZRXR1CBRVTR whatevers, do have very exposed radiatiors that could easily take a stone especially on a group ride. I have built a stainless steel mesh grill for my Busa that only cost $10 bucks which is cheap peace of mind (1100- doesnt need one). On the above ZX-14 incident it was only lucky that we stopped at Kopu for a break and noticed the coolant pissing out all over the place. There was sufficient coolant remaining at that stage and the engine was fine. I must admit that on a curved section of road, when riding in a spirited fashion, I rarely look at my instrument panel and an emptied radiator could easily lead to the nip up stage before I woke up to it by spotting a light or gauge warning.

[beyond]

Hey Terbang and Kawa,

Seeing you two ride together, how do the two bikes compare. i.e. Busa and ZX-14.

Whats your feeling on the cornering of both bikes and any ideas on which one has the edge. I'm 186cms and not having ridden a Busa at this stage (have a test planned soon) apparently the Busa is a bit tighter on ergonomics?

Be good to hear how you guys find the bikes seeing you ride together??

[TONO]

Hey Terbang and Kawa,

Seeing you two ride together, how do the two bikes compare. i.e. Busa and ZX-14.

Whats your feeling on the cornering of both bikes and any ideas on which one has the edge. I'm 186cms and not having ridden a Busa at this stage (have a test planned soon) apparently the Busa is a bit tighter on ergonomics?

Be good to hear how you guys find the bikes seeing you ride together??

LORD!
I feel there is a traitor in our midst.....

[terbang]

Hmm interesting question. The ZX is definitely newer technology than the Busa and yes I think it is taller than the Busa giving a more stretched leg. Didn't really do any real performance comparasons except that we both saw some big numbers. Grant also videoed the ride (scary stuff). A couple of times I was redlining it through the gears to keep up with him but he also admitted to red lining it at the same time and Vise versa. I think he could brake later than me though I didn't notice any major cornering differences. He commented that it rode itself through corners where I describe the Busa, on a sweeper as being on rails. I am left with the impression that on the real tight stuff <35K he was making an slightly easier job of it which is not surprising as the Busa is a bit porkier than the ZX. The over all impression is, and I think Grant agrees,that they are two big powerful road bikes that demand a lot of discipline to ride and we are both a long way off ever riding them to their max capabilities..

[sAsLEX]

Can we see some higlights of the video?

[beyond]

LORD!
I feel there is a traitor in our midst.....

A very reluctant traitor if I go that way mate.

If I do stick with the GSX, I'll do after market front springs and rear shocks that will give me another 20-30mm of ground clearance under compression.
Might solve a few problems and stop my side stand, centre stand and footpegs from wearing away.

[beyond]

Hmm interesting question. The ZX is definitely newer technology than the Busa and yes I think it is taller than the Busa giving a more stretched leg. Didn't really do any real performance comparasons except that we both saw some big numbers. Grant also videoed the ride (scary stuff). A couple of times I was redlining it through the gears to keep up with him but he also admitted to red lining it at the same time and Vise versa. I think he could brake later than me though I didn't notice any major cornering differences. He commented that it rode itself through corners where I describe the Busa, on a sweeper as being on rails. I am left with the impression that on the real tight stuff <35K he was making an slightly easier job of it which is not surprising as the Busa is a bit porkier than the ZX. The over all impression is, and I think Grant agrees,that they are two big powerful road bikes that demand a lot of discipline to ride and we are both a long way off ever riding them to their max capabilities..

Thanks for that. Some overseas review rank them both very close. Reckon the ZX-14 holds the edge on comfort, speed and braking but that the Busa, suprisingly (as it has a slightly longer wheelbase) is easier to hussle throught the tighter stuff.

Both bikes sound very similar, so for me it would come down to ergonomics.

[Toast]

but that the Busa, suprisingly (as it has a slightly longer wheelbase) is easier to hussle throught the tighter stuff.

Not too surprising when you conisder that the 'Busa is a fair bit shorter (height-wise) than the ZX...weight down low makes it easy to flick from one lean to the opposite.

[kawa]

$20 to repair (2 holes) plus some aluminium expanded mesh $60 and a bit of head scratching when it came to removing the fairings, but I can say all is well. Took it to Taupo in the weekend 2 up and it performed very well. As for warning lights etc the ZX has a over temp warning light and then in the middle of the digital dash it will put up a over temp warning that flashes constantly, luckily we never got to that stage and only saw the temperature high on the gauge. When reviewing the video we noticed a wisp of steam half way from Whangamata to the Kopu road so luck was on my side as there was fluid baked onto the exhaust, I think the leak got worse once we had slowed and thats when the pressure really built up. Interestingly I talked to a guy with a Busa in the weekend, he had fitted handle bar risers to ease the riding position so I think it comes down to personal choice and how hard you want to push the bike, they both handle well for hyper beasts. i have always been a Kawasaki man and Bruce a Suzuki man. But I'm sure we both agree that all bikes these days are good and it just depends on personal taste and how much you can afford to spend and the type of riding you do the most of.

[terbang]

Here is a comparison done by some yanks.
ZX-14 Busa