Not really a bike for me...I think I'd be a gonner for sure somewhere around that 186mph limiter
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2008-kawasaki-zx14-first-ride-69666.html
Lol "The ZX-14 is capable in the twisties thanks to sportbike steering geometry balanced by a stability-inducing 57.5-inch wheelbase."
How much does it weigh again? Not sure if geometry makes up for a lead block on wheels in the 'twisties', 57 inches!? stability inducing i guess, but so is a limo, or a train car o_O. At 485 pounds (dry!) shouldnt it come with a radio? Power is always nice i suppose, but how many tracks are you going to take that long and that heavy of a bike up to 185 miles per hour on? That said, how many people could actually handle that that wouldnt rather have a lighter, shorter, better handling ride?
Kawasaki seems to be pretty heavy into bike porn, releasing horsepower numbers and cool stickers that seem more like drool bait than actual good bike design.
With the exception of the KLR650, the new Ninja 650 and the Versys 650 my unhumble opinion is that all Kawasakies are crap!!
My sprint is well over 500 and can hold its own I think. The zx14 is in the 'power' business. I think it's main target audience is the squid crowd. That new concours looks like a great bike.....
The Kawi Mean Streak is supposed to be one of the best cruisers out there. Considering I was looking at buying one this year (dang move jacked that) I've done a bit of looking into 'em. They don't have the top HP for their class but they are supposed to have the best braking and about the best maneuvering (I've read more than one saying it's probably as close to sport bike handling a cruiser that size will get). With aftermarket exhaust, intake and fuel controller the HP is supposed to be as good as most others in the class if not a bit better.
As for sport bikes I can't say, although Kawi has been beating out the others in at least the 600cc class for a bit from what I've read, although personally I like the R6 over the Ninja 600. The ZX-14 is largely Kawi's answer to Suzuki's Hayabusa, although I think Suzuki will probably still hold reign in that class. Both are more for straight-line &/or oval track kind of speed to me than twisties.
my dads thght of getting the new kawasaki concourse.. basically the same motor as the zx-14 but its a sport/touring bike... and 185mph i cant believe it.. i mean when i was on the back of my dads bike 150 was moving.. he still had half of fifth and all of sixth to go through.. ;D
yah...150 is hauling some sweet bigotas. got to get a taste of that in a corn field in oct
Quote from: kwells on November 30, 2007, 03:31:52 PM
yah...150 is hauling some sweet bigotas. got to get a taste of that in a corn field in oct
150 in a corn field? That had to be some pretty good suspension. ;)
yah...
good thing there was also a cobblestone road i was able to get onto or it would have been bumpy