Cycle world 9/06 issue

[NightCrawler]

Wow, a whole 3mph difference... and more expensive... and kind of ugly.

And what happened to the Busa's 189 top speed? I could be wrong. But I know I read that it would at least do 186! Anyway, I'm happy with the Busa. I've never been a Kawi fan.

Restricted Busa is 183, unrestricted (TRE installed) it'll hit 186-189. All you need is a tight tuck and a long road.

Funny though, last year Cycle World compared the ZX-12R and the Busa. Guess what the top speeds were ... Busa = 183, 12R = 186.

 

[psycobusa]

havent you all ever noticed in the kaw ads on tv they say "the new kaw is the fastest bike WE HAVE MADE YET" instead of the fastest production bike period? that alone shows that even kaw knows who still has the fastest bike

 

[yellaboy151]

 

[Pop]

It's the first direct comparison I have seen.  The numbers:

ZX-14
9.78@146.39
170.2 bhp@9670 rpm
103.8 ft.lbs. @7770 rpm torque
186 mph top speed

Hayabusa
9.98@143.12
160.4 bhp @9530 rpm
97.9 ft.lbs. @6900 rpm torque
183 mph top speed

Congratulations ZX-14.  But, I'll be keeping by 06LE.

Anyway, a comment was made in the article concerning the torque output of the Hayabusa that has "been hobbled in its bottom two gears all along".  Whereas, the ZX-14 "holds back more but also extends the trend another two cogs higher".

Forgive my ignorance, but I don't remember reading anything about the torque output of the Hayabusa being artifically retarded in the first two gears.  The only "retarding" that I am aware of is the 6th gear retard (fixed by TRE or GPS mod, etc.).

What is the scoop on the gear one and two torque restriction?  Is Cycle World confused? (Or, is it just me?)  

There's been a few diff head to heads around the globe......most of them have the 14 1-2 tenths quicker in the quarter and 8-10 hp more. But for the most part they are pretty darn close in most every venue. Sport Rider derestricted both bikes and ran them top speed...which bike do you think was faster?.............The Busa....188.9 to 188.3. They said the extra ponies of the 14 weren't enough to overcome the expotential drag you get at those speeds with its slightly dirtier aerodynamics. Plus MCUSA did a great comparo of the 2 bikes....the 14 just barely beat the Busa up to 180. A japanese mag had the Busa beating the 14 in quarter mile AND roll on times....and pretty close in hp. While Motorcyclist has the the Busa doing the 60-100 roll in 2.70 secs....the 14 does it in 3 flat. The ZX10 and Gixx thou both beat the 14 in roll ons as well. The 14 sounds like a nice bike...but I think its gonna be pretty easy for the new Busa to top it and put it right back into the 12R's shoes. Especially with the 14's lack of low end grunt, and that being the Busa's forte'. But then again maybe its to the point now where they just can't magically pull 15+ hp out of a slightly larger engine......is technology running outta steam?
The Busa's timing (just like the 1000 and 1100) is retarded in the first three gears ONLY at partial throttle openings. You don't get full advance until half to three quarters throttle instead of almost instantly like in the upper gears. They did it so it wouldn't hit as hard till you have it almost wide open....you want more advance, twist more throttle  

<span style='font-size:17pt;line-height:100%'></span>awesome post!!!<span style='color:crimson'></span>



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[turbojonn]

I went to a dealership to look at the 14. It smelled like swamp ass. Everyone was disgusted. They kept trying to wash the smell off the bike, but it jus' a kep' on a stankin'.
The moral of this story is that you just can't ever get a tird to smell like a rose.

 

[bigoltool]

It's the first direct comparison I have seen.  The numbers:

ZX-14
9.78@146.39
170.2 bhp@9670 rpm
103.8 ft.lbs. @7770 rpm torque
186 mph top speed

Hayabusa
9.98@143.12
160.4 bhp @9530 rpm
97.9 ft.lbs. @6900 rpm torque
183 mph top speed

Congratulations ZX-14.  But, I'll be keeping by 06LE.

Anyway, a comment was made in the article concerning the torque output of the Hayabusa that has "been hobbled in its bottom two gears all along".  Whereas, the ZX-14 "holds back more but also extends the trend another two cogs higher".

Forgive my ignorance, but I don't remember reading anything about the torque output of the Hayabusa being artifically retarded in the first two gears.  The only "retarding" that I am aware of is the 6th gear retard (fixed by TRE or GPS mod, etc.).

What is the scoop on the gear one and two torque restriction?  Is Cycle World confused? (Or, is it just me?)  

My question is in the Et's 9.78 and 9.98 dont sound blazingly fast to me. I mean any 9 second run is fast but I have seen much quicker et's for stock busas before Who was doing the riding and where were they testing at?

 

[WWJD]

Way to go, Kawasaki! Looks like an excellent ride!

You have to give props when they are due. Kawasaki has upped the bar with numbers so to speak. My hat goes off to Kawasaki for building the 14.

If the big four keeping pushing each other, it is a great thing for the enthusist.

yep. I'm not into hatin'. helps no one. heck, KAW stepping up might finally be the nudge to get SUZ to make the next better busa

I wouldn't kick the zx14 out of the garage for eatin crackers

but sign me,
- Busa lover for life

 

[DaCol.]

Went by a Kawie dealer yesterday an saw 3 14s. One Black, one Red and one Blue

, best looking one was the Black but the Red really looked like a updated RF 900 Suz from the 1995 era

And as I recall, they got their grills from looking at a Manta Ray

Actually I kinka like the front, but from the tank back it looks like a 1980's era bike and you can toss out those 1980 Ferrari Grills !

And as I have said before, fit and finish is at the bottom of the Big 4 !

 

[Kanati]

The red looks like it was rattle canned or something but the black and blue isn't too bad.

 

[John 16:10]

Went by a Kawie dealer yesterday an saw 3 14s. One Black, one Red and one Blue

, best looking one was the Black but the Red really looked like a updated RF 900 Suz from the 1995 era

And as I recall, they got their grills from looking at a Manta Ray

Actually I kinka like the front, but from the tank back it looks like a 1980's era bike and you can toss out those 1980 Ferrari Grills !

And as I have said before, fit and finish is at the bottom of the Big 4 !  

I went by the Kawi dealer to see the 14 and they had 3 on floor and sales rep said they had more in crates. Said they don't want to have too many on floor at one time. Looks like that is only marketing, trying to create urgency and illusion of limited availability. Went by Suz dealer, they tried to buy my bike b/c they don't have any in stock and can't meet demand in this area.

14 is out, and demand for Busa is still higher.

I think that in itself tells the true story.

 

[HRJR]

Went by a Kawie dealer yesterday an saw 3 14s. One Black, one Red and one Blue

, best looking one was the Black but the Red really looked like a updated RF 900 Suz from the 1995 era

And as I recall, they got their grills from looking at a Manta Ray

Actually I kinka like the front, but from the tank back it looks like a 1980's era bike and you can toss out those 1980 Ferrari Grills !

And as I have said before, fit and finish is at the bottom of the Big 4 !  

I went by the Kawi dealer to see the 14 and they had 3 on floor and sales rep said they had more in crates.  Said they don't want to have too many on floor at one time.  Looks like that is only marketing, trying to create urgency and illusion of limited availability.  Went by Suz dealer, they tried to buy my bike b/c they don't have any in stock and can't meet demand in this area.

14 is out, and demand for Busa is still higher.

I think that in itself tells the true story.

Yep, saw three Kawi's at my dealer. The sales guy said there hasn't been much interest in the Kawi.

 

[1127 TO 1299]

Just talked to my friend who has the 14. Gas mileage is HORRIBLE

(as he said, just like his old 12R) and looks like the rear tire want really last either (just like his 12R) . And this is a guy who doesn't abuse it at all. So, down side to me, same as the 12R I considered. Poor mileage and no tire life

who gives a poop about gas mileage on a bike, still beats a SUV!



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[gtrpimp76]

they noted the first recall for the ZX-14    

I saw that too..

I guess the recall is for something electrical that causes the 14 to shut down while in operation and could cause a fatal accident.

 

[race24x]

Restricted Busa is 183, unrestricted (TRE installed) it'll hit 186-189. All you need is a tight tuck and a long road

I saw this in a couple posts and am I mistaken or is that speed not what Guiness reported at 196 for the stock bike in 2000 and some mags reported it back then up to 198

?

???

 

[DaCol.]

Just talked to my friend who has the 14. Gas mileage is HORRIBLE

(as he said, just like his old 12R) and looks like the rear tire want really last either (just like his 12R) . And this is a guy who doesn't abuse it at all. So, down side to me, same as the 12R I considered. Poor mileage and no tire life

who gives a poop about gas mileage on a bike, still beats a SUV!

Let me clue you in

; if you live out here (in the Western States) and do any touring, you will eventually get to areas that a gas station is 80 to 100 miles apart. And at night, you might have to divert 50 miles or more if your not careful. So, YEA, gas mileages is important

. Unless of course you like pushing you bike for miles or sitting on the side of the Hwy for HOURS waiting for someone to come by ! And "OH" yea, waiting on the side of the Hwys at night is not recommended since rattlesnakes crawl up on the Hwy to keep warm out here

!

 

[JINKSTER]

it's still a tough call for the new buyers...as they can either have...

The GSX1300R: Which is currently a highly refined product that's established itself an Iconoclastic Legend which has shattered more records than Babe Ruth and is supported with a plethora of aftermarket bling and go-fast goodies that would boggle the average mind and sports a unique stlying by way of ultra efficient wind tunnel engineered aerodynamics which makes it immediately identifiable even at a distance. And it's the busa's distinct aerodynamic styling combined with it's engines seamless and linear delivery of what seems to be infinite power that segragates and elevates it from the slew of other sportbikes offered ...reigning king and ruling the streets for 7 long years establishing itself as a household name which is widely known and refered to as..."The Mighty Hayabusa"

or?

The ZX-14 Ninja: The new guy...who costs a little more...that sports some sort of aerodynamic funk sans the engineering but has 52cc's more displacement which helps it barely edge out the busa from 160mph on up with a huge flatspot down low that would have most 600's leaving it for dead in a 60mph roll-on. It also comes complete with an incomplete fairing that leaves the rider with a bad case of hotfoot and gets a whopping 27mpg when ridden aggressively...bone stock.

decisons, decisions....what to do?

 

[drewco22]

havent you all ever noticed in the kaw ads on tv they say "the new kaw is the fastest bike WE HAVE MADE YET" instead of the fastest production bike period? that alone shows that even kaw knows who still has the fastest bike

i love the way they word thier commericals..
the unrestricted 99/00 busa is...and will always be the fastest "stock-off the showroom floor-production" motorcycle ever made

 

[D~ZIL]

Im wondering if that toilet will wheelie thru 2nd gear... any 1 know.."stock gearing"

 

[1127 TO 1299]

Just talked to my friend who has the 14. Gas mileage is HORRIBLE

(as he said, just like his old 12R) and looks like the rear tire want really last either (just like his 12R) . And this is a guy who doesn't abuse it at all. So, down side to me, same as the 12R I considered. Poor mileage and no tire life

who gives a poop about gas mileage on a bike, still beats a SUV!

Let me clue you in

; if you live out here (in the Western States) and do any touring, you will eventually get to areas that a gas station is 80 to 100 miles apart. And at night, you might have to divert 50 miles or more if your not careful. So, YEA, gas mileages is important

. Unless of course you like pushing you bike for miles or sitting on the side of the Hwy for HOURS waiting for someone to come by ! And "OH" yea, waiting on the side of the Hwys at night is not recommended since rattlesnakes crawl up on the Hwy to keep warm out here

!

then let me rephrase:

I don't give a poop about gas mileage for a bike.

And if I were in the western US, I would be riding with GPS like the TOMTOM Go rider AND I'd fill her up everytime I'd pass a gas station.
As for the rattle snakes, that's why they invented the cowboy boots!

 

[TOECUTTER]

I'll reserve judgement till I test ride the new 14. If it rides like a bat out of hell and can handle the twisties too, who cares what it looks like.