Where to try your ZX14 top speed

[AlBundy]

There has to be a line between useability and speed. I'd argue they would be that high 'coz they'd be ugly to ride around town at 50.... Or at least to get off the line without slipping the clutch to death.

What we need is a sheep/squid with a Gixxer thou to confirm said 1st gear speed...

As for a tall 1st... That's so the rest of the ratios can be closer spaced for track use. Yes, it may not help wheelies but I'd think it's secondary to function...

[Gremlin]

oh, the other benefit of a tall first is, without a slipper clutch, banging it into first, unless you're being a real muppet, its pretty hard to lock it up (we're not talking racing, road riding)

[AlBundy]

Yeah, must say, slipper clutches are a nice to have... They seem to make them slides into corners much smoother and controllable... Lets one concentrate on getting the bike setup for the corner instead concentrating on salvaging the corner, lol... (Though prior to the KTM, I'd not really needed a slipper clutch for road riding...)

[madandy]

not sure about the busa/zx14, but I know a mates k6 gsxr thou would do about 185 (indicated) in first, so thats why I would imagine the bigger bikes would be a bit higher.

All the big bikes have tall first gears, the aim is to stop you looping it (it can go from impressive wheelie to impressive fuck up very quickly in first)


My 2004 zx10 would see 160+ in first (indicated), it only goes higher for the newer bikes.

Yea I get it
My old Gixxer 750 oiler was good for almost 130 indicated in 1st @ 13000rpm
The only thou I've ridden was an '01 R1...150 indicated in 1st.
I guess as rev limits rise and ever improving Engine Management systems create improved torque and civility at low rpm these beasts behave them selves in a tall 1st at urban speeds quite well.

[Madness]

.....the sprints held a few weeks ago would be the place,but even those woulnt let you get to absolute max speed....you would get to mid 200s pretty fast though...

Bullshit.

10FC