ZX-14 ACCELERATION

The International Motorcycle Show was held in Houston this past weekend, and I got to do a Demo Ride on a new Kawasaki ZX-14. THE ACCELERATION OF THIS MONSTER IS UN-FRIGGING-BELIEVABLE. I did not dare use more than about 1/2 throttle in first gear, for fear of doing a wheelie. Second gear might get away with full throttle while the RPM is below perhaps 6,000, but as the RPM builds, so does the power. The fear factor would take over and my right hand would roll back forward. I finally let it go in third gear for a while, but never let the engine really pull anywhere near the red line. I nearly deafened myself whooping, hollering and giggling inside my helmet. I don't think of myself as a speed freak, but this experience was mind boggling !!!

You would be gaining on the bike ahead of you so fast that it became necessary to use those fantastic brakes to slow down. And the handling is so so great. 100 MPH feels more stable than 50 on my old KZ. These modern bikes are amazing pieces of machinery. Also rode a ZX-10. Also scary fast. Then rode a Concourse 14. This was the most pleasant surprise of all. Smooth ride; comfortable; luggage capacity; instrumentation; but runs like a scalded dog. Only a touch slower than the ZX-14; handles superbly. Kawasaki makes some great products.

So then I get on my KZ650 CSR and ride home. The bike felt quite anemic, but unless I win the lottery, I expect to keep her for a long time. The enjoyment per dollar factor cannot be beat.

10-4 on the enjoyment per dollar factor.

this would be my picture after the test drive!:laugh:

I have a picture of me on the zx-14 during my test ride i will try to dig up. Me and a buddy got to ride the z1000, and the zx-14 this year in Sturgis at the kawasaki demo rides. I'me surprised how leanient they are. Anyone over 16 with a class 2 license and a helmet can jump on one of the worlds fastest production motorcycles. I got to ride the special edition flat black w/red flames model. My first impression was that the motorcycle was huge, but easy to handle,with very impressive stopping power. I was riding right behind the demo leader, and was immediately surprised as he pulled away hard on the Concourse 14. I decided to keep up, and looked down for a second and noticed i was easily exceeding 100 mph. They really let you test their products during the rides. No speed limits were obeyed on our trip. Over all i was impressed with all of the bikes, and how smooth they were at all rpm's. Speeding tickets would be numerous as you barely move the throttle and move from 60-80 and not even notice.

Although i do have to say it wasn't a huge thrill(dont get me wrong though, they were a blast to ride) to have to look down at the speedometer to know you were going fast. Atleast on my old kaw i know its goin fast(or trying to) when its screamin for all its worth, and pulling my arms off.

Hey Bill...was that you Saturday traveling south on 288? I was heading north on 288 going to Texas RenFest for the weekend with the family. Seriously, I really did see you on the demo ride!

What amazed me is the fact the engine is not turning 16,000 RPMS. I bumped the rev limiter in the first two gears on my first pass. Then i hammered the first three gears and ran out of road. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :S

I really want a C14... One of these days this will happen.
Like how Kawasaki always one ups the competition in class from time to time.

The pipe on the thing looks like a damn bazooka. Of course would be the first thing to go.

Upright riding stance. Shafty. Runs like a raped ape. Good wind protection. Let alone that motor and cargo capacity.

What's not to like...

Mcdroid:
Yes, I was heading South on 288 numerous times this weekend. Rode a total of 9 different motorcycles in all. I was the one who was grinning from ear to ear. I hope you are still doing the trek down the Gulf Fwy. every day, if you know what I mean.

The DEMO rides are, in my opinion, one of the most educational opportunities to learn your preferences on motorcycle features. The different companies do allow you to test the bikes out fairly well, within reason. For example, I really prefer the Inline 4 cylinder engines. The V Twins, mo matter who manufactures them, vibrate too much for me. I rode a KTM RC8. Huge torque, but I felt it necessary to keep the RPM above 4,000, or you could feel the vibration too much. And then there are the Harleys.

I rode a Z1000 last year. This is still my favorite. Amazing power, handling, brakes - and still a fairly upright riding position like my present bike.

yes that 14 is a beast-- thats why we took out the kz motors and put the 14 motor in our dragbikes.

i believe the concourse has the same engine (shafty version) as the zx-14 with a little more tuning towards mid-range torque and a longer ducting system to squeeze all the mid-range you can. i haven't riden a zx-14 but if it's anything like the hayabusa i rode then i would agree on the butt-clenching speeds.

the concours has a similar motor - lots of different parts in it. but very simialar

The Concours 14 has variable valve timing, does the ZX 14?