Overhyped?

**Lou Girardin** · 13th August 2006, 14:47

Bike magazine has just done a comparison test of the new ZZ-R1400, ZX12R and ZX10R.
Some figures; Top Speed/ 1/4 mile/ 40-120mph roll on.
ZZ-R1400 175.7 mph 10.64 @ 140 mph 13.94 secs
ZX12R 173.5 mph 10.80 @ 137 mph 13.93 secs
ZX10R 174.4 mph 10.98 @ 139 mph 12.3 secs

OK, the ZZ-R is a big heavy beast, but these figures are not that mind boggling. Especially the peaky ZX10 thumping it by more than 1 1/2 secs in the roll on.
And the 14 is a hungry beast too, 10 mpg at full throttle.
The testers were dissappointed at the flat low end of the ZZ-R, they much preferred the grunt of the 12R. It seems Quacka has reverted to their old trick of designing a real jump in the power band to make the bike feel quicker than it is. Something I remember in my old GPz750. It makes for a lot of fun, but you wouldn't want to hit the power band mid-corner unexpectedly.
I didn't think the 'real world' figures would match the hype somehow.
I'd love to see a 'Busa put against the 14. I doubt that the Bus would be shown up much, if at all.
Let the debate begin.

**Titanium** · 13th August 2006, 15:16

There was some direct comparisons back in April ..... links to MCN write ups.

Check out, some good information in there.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=29919

Cheers

Peter

**onearmedbandit** · 13th August 2006, 15:22

Info lifted from another forum, sorry but I don't know the posters source.

This from an independant test on standard ZZR1400 vs GSX1300

Top gear roll on 100-200m

GSX 2.153 sec@184.68 ZZR 2.174 sec@182.35

Top gear roll on 200-400m

GSX 3.417 sec@229.82 ZZR 3.470 sec@224.83kph

300m standing start

Busa 9.027sec ZZR 9.031sec

Hot lap Suzuka

BUSA 1'09.065 ZZR 1'10.920

Same rider, etc.

**BeakerRAT** · 13th August 2006, 15:32

And hopefully Suzuki will up the ante with something like this ???? Busa 1400

**onearmedbandit** · 13th August 2006, 15:57

I would love to see what Suzuki have instore for the replacement to the 'Busa. Lets face it, when Suzuki step up to the plate they are always swinging something pretty serious.

**WINJA** · 13th August 2006, 16:05

Ok Thats The Straight Line Stuff Taken Care Of , Now For The Real Stuff 'the Corners' . I Think The Zx14 Is A Pointless Ball And Cock Licking Exercise Give Me The 10 Any Day

**sAsLEX** · 13th August 2006, 16:05

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

I would love to see what Suzuki have instore for the replacement to the 'Busa. Lets face it, when Suzuki step up to the plate they are always swinging something pretty serious.

Problem is, is there any need for anything faster than a Busa?

Some EU countries were getting antsy a while back about the terminal velocity of the current crop of superbikes, surely continuing to make hyper bikes like these is only helping their cause of an eventual ban, I mean how often does one use the full potential of the Busa and remain with a life or license on the road.

**onearmedbandit** · 13th August 2006, 16:32

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

Problem is, is there any need for anything faster than a Busa? Always.

Some EU countries were getting antsy a while back about the terminal velocity of the current crop of superbikes, surely continuing to make hyper bikes like these is only helping their cause of an eventual ban... Valid point, but fears like this come up from time to time, nothing has come of it, yet.

...I mean how often does one use the full potential of the Busa and remain with a life or license on the road. Doesn't matter mate, it's knowing you've got it

That's how I see it anyway!

**davereid** · 13th August 2006, 16:39

The EU has come down so hard on bikers that its spawned an entire culture of superbikers with no number plates who torment the police.

Type "Ghostrider" "Hayabusa Turbo" or "Sweden Tank Cam" in the search field at youtube.

**sAsLEX** · 13th August 2006, 16:49

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Valid point, but fears like this come up from time to time, nothing has come of it, yet.

ummm someone posted the other day about how the Jap's started turning out nicer and faster 250's because of the 250 limit imposed in the UK back in the day, RD250's etc lots of nice fast two strokes so learners could get on something decent, so overnight the Govt went 125cc 18hp max (something like that) and overnight there where all these bikes that where excess to requirements , and those that were legally riding a 250 where now illegal.

But the post above has a valid point as well, but the fact is the Jap makers aren't going to continue to produce a bike they cant legally sell in the markets

**onearmedbandit** · 13th August 2006, 16:57

For a learners level bike, I can understand the British Govt.'s decision.

**Lou Girardin** · 13th August 2006, 17:24

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Info lifted from another forum, sorry but I don't know the posters source.

This doesn't look good for the worlds fastest bike.
How old is the 'Busa again?

**Edbear** · 13th August 2006, 19:52

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

This doesn't look good for the worlds fastest bike.
How old is the 'Busa again?

Yeah, my sentiments, too. I mean in a comparo between the two bikes in the US, they were very close in all performance areas and the Busa actually was better in some respects.

What would Suzuki have to do to put the Busa back on top? Stuff all, really!

The argument is truly academic as the performance of all modern superbikes - this includes the ZX10, Gixxer Thou, etc. is so far beyond what can actually be utilised that it is purely rider ability that decides the fastest, anywhere, straight line or series of corners! I contend that my bike ridden by a competent rider would be a match around the Coro loop for example! Well, maybe, but you get my drift?

I strongly feel, (unusual for me I know

), that bikes should not be artificially restricted as these are. Even if you never use the full performance, it should be available, otherwise what's the point?

**slowpoke** · 13th August 2006, 23:18

Originally Posted by WINJA

Ok Thats The Straight Line Stuff Taken Care Of , Now For The Real Stuff 'the Corners' . I Think The Zx14 Is A Pointless Ball And Cock Licking Exercise Give Me The 10 Any Day

That's all well and good but fortunately not everyone lives in NZ where 'round every corner there is another corner. Try touring 1000km's a day in Oz, Europe or the US with luggage and you'll see the relevance of these bikes.

As for the roll on figures if you geared a 10 for the same top speed as a 14 then the thing wouldn't feel so perky. Conversely, imagine the 14 geared the same as the 10....now we're talkin!

This is a funny thread really....maybe it should be titled "Lets compare magazine articles".